nice ride but still poor signage.

     Sleeping at lock 20, Betsy and I had the place to ourselves.  Shortly after waking up, a tug towing dredging pipe arrived at the lock.  We watched the entire lock process of lowering the tug and barges to the water level below. Huge gears turned, gates swung closed, valves opened and down went the tug. It took all of twenty minutes; then off the vessel went down the canal.  The process was so simple,  thousands of gallons of water moved in so little time, amazing.
    At 10:33, I rode down the trail for a mile before having to exit onto route 5.  Not a lot of traffic but only a four foot shoulder and fast moving vehicles.  I am a veteran of these roads but riders who only bargained for a safe trail, it would be very scary.  After I reconnected with the Trail, Betsy met me on two separate occasions riding her bike towards me and the two of us riding back to her car.  I can see she is determined but starting off slow and easy is the best way to keep her interested. Later she found a nice campsite smack on the canal for only $10 a night.  In trying to get to the marina campsite, I over shot it while riding along the trail because there was no turn off to get me to the other side of the canal.  In all I have probably ridden twenty miles making up for wrong turns. It is maddening, a mile is a long way.
     Once at the site, we threw up the tent, laid out the sleeping bags,  pumped up the mattresses and arranged all our gear.  Betsy has done extensive camping which is a major plus in terms of getting her into long distance cycling. She even went out and round up some IPA beer, cheese and sausage for pre-dinner cocktails.  After I cleaned up we set off to find a locally eatery, no such luck.  Upstate New York is depressed with little in the way of luxury.  A supermarket was are only option after driving ten miles.   We dined in the tent and an hour later cash in our chips for a good nights sleep. Four nights of camp and all is going smoothly.   The trail of a better, more continuous runs on pavement but the directions are appallingly bad.