July 29th 2014: Shark Cage Diving in Narragansett RI

I had to get to the Port of Galilee area in Narragansett RI really early for my shark cage diving experience with Snappa Charters this morning, so I went around a bit to take pictures before it actually started.

Water Tower,

Point Judith Road and Galilee Escape Road

Port of Galilee, 33 State Street

Fake Lighthouse, end of Succotash Road, South Kingstown

Our boat was pretty small,

which made me worry that I would be seasick, which I indeed became as soon as we set off.

The cage itself was pretty big, and we would have to enter from the top itself.

By the time we reached our target destination far out at sea, I was already extremely sick, having vomited several times already. The cage and the floating platform was hauled out into the sea,

and a few of us went out to the platform, risking the presence of sharks,

with chunks of bait being hurled out to sea to attract them to come to the boat,

and indeed they came, right up to the boat itself.

Sharks that appeared today included a blue shark and a mako shark. Even European Storm petrels were attracted to the bait.

It was cool to be able to see these sharks up close, but oh, the seasickness. I'm just glad the trip back was not that bumpy.

July 20th 2014: Cycling the Erie Canal from Niskayuna to Albany

We woke up early this final day of cycling the Erie Canal,

heading to Lock 7

and into the town of Colonie

Thaddeus Kosciuszko Bridge

before reaching the Cohoes Falls at Falls View Park in Cohoes.

Cycling on, we passed a few places in town

Calvary Grace Church,

228 North Mohawk Street

Craner Park,

North Mohawk Street and Church Street

Harmony Mills

before heading into Waterford,

Saratoga Avenue Bridge

where there were painted mules all about town,

passing Lock 2

the Waterford Harbor Visitor Center

and the Peebles Island Bridge North on Second Street and Front Street.

Next, it was on to the Peebles Island State Park

Peebles Island Bridge South, Delaware Avenue

where there was the last rest stop of the trip.

From here, it was on to the Van Schaick Island back in Cohoes

and the town of Green Island,

St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church

pushing into the village of Menands in Colonie, before finally reaching Albany itself.

Livingston Avenue Bridge, Quay Street

New York Department of Environmental Conservation

State University of New York

Corning City Preserve

We had to go over a pedestrian bridge at the Corning City Preserve

and bring our bikes down the stairs at the other end.

Finally, it was the last stretch to the finish line, passing a few places along the way.

Tricentennial Park, 560 Broadway

First Church in Albany

Old Union Station

Old Post Office

Hudson Harbor Steak and Seafood,

351 Broadway

Halve Maen 1609, 140 NY-5

KeyBank Building, 66 South Pearl Street

UHaul Truck atop building,

139 Broadway

Our Lady Help of Christians Church,
66 Second Avenue

After crossing the finish line at the Albany Visitors Center, we found our luggage, then it was up to me to cycle back across the Dunn Memorial Bridge

into Renssalaer

Herrick Street Bridge

to get the car from the Albany Rensselaer Amtrak Train Station.

I took one last picture of the St. John the Evangelist Church

before finally going to pick my friend up from the finish line, and begin the long drive home. I have to say, this bike trip was very fun, despite being tiring at times.