Canada > Along the Finger Lakes

From the Canadian town of Niagara Falls, we drive across the bridge over the Niagara River. The bridge marks the border with the United States. For the last time, we look at the Niagara Falls. It’s busy on the American side of the border. While we wait, a drug-sniffing dog searches between the cars. The border formalities go quickly. Our stamp is still valid, so we can pass through easily. We are back in the United States. We begin the final leg of our coast-to-coast trip. In two days, we hope to reach New York City. We take the I-90 highway eastward. After about two hours of driving, we turn off in search of a nice coffee stop. We end up in Caledonia. The small diner could easily have had a spot along Route 66. The interior is decorated in 1950s style, with old advertising signs, soda machines, and gumball machines.

Canada - The town of Amsterdam in the state of New York

From here, we continue driving inland. We switch off the highway option on our navigation. In this northern part of New York State lie the Finger Lakes—eleven elongated lakes that on the map look like fingers. The lakes were formed south-to-north by glaciers. We drive along the lakes, passing the towns on the water. Although it doesn’t cover much distance, it is a beautiful route. By three o’clock, we arrive in Syracuse. At a bakery, we grab a drink and a cookie. Outside, the sky darkens. A storm is approaching—a heavy one. Soon, the rain lashes against the shop windows. The traffic lights, hanging from cables above the intersection, swing dangerously back and forth. The storm continues on the highway. For kilometers, it pours down in sheets. Sometimes, visibility is less than fifty meters. It feels as if the storm is hanging directly over us. Just as we pass the towns of “Amsterdam” and “Rotterdam,” the weather eases a little. We decide not to stop for the Amsterdam town sign but continue on to Albany. In the city center, we try to find a simple hotel or motel for the night. This proves harder than expected. Either they are full, have only double beds, or are very expensive. Meanwhile, it seems the storm has caught up with us again. The sky turns black, and it starts raining once more. We’ve tried six hotels. We are now standing in front of the Hilton Garden Inn. A room is available here, and the price is reasonable. We decide not to look any further.