7 Sept...........Ellenville to West Point, NY 83km in 4:25 hrs.

It's overcast..rain's on the way. So we speed past Pine Bush on NY52 where a front lawn is covered with life size mockups of missiles, flags, old artillery pieces. A giant sign is addressed to "Mr. President, Congress, Senators".."What are you doing to us Veterans. You promised us free medical care. VA hospitals are being cut back. Vets discharged, are jumping to their deaths. Government keeps saying they'll look into it, but nothing seems to get done". A huge flag is at half mast.

In Walden, a stop at a jewelers to replace the battery on my cheap $5 chinese watch. Paul Roosa is a biker, organizes local fund raisers & tours. He refuses my money, gives me a spare battery,& redirects our routing via Vail's Gate & Cornwall.

"You folk are an inspiration....hope to cross the country myself one day..when I can afford the time", as he waves us off.

We bypass city of Newburgh, following Paul's country roads through mist & light rain.

Inga-Lill finds some US Postal bike shorts in Cornwall. They fit like a glove & she looks like she's ready to join Lance's Posties squad.

Found old Storm King road high above Hudson River...what a delight to glance up & down river...knowing our odyssey is close to finishing in a few miles. Sad, really.

Lee Gate is closed, barbed wire strung high over the top, so we continue to Washinton Gate where armed civilian guards ,not MPs, check passports & destination, for entry to W. Point. Security at the nation's showpiece is strict, though later Will recounts how he'd slung his bike through a hole in Lee Gate's "wall".."Could have been carrying bombs if I were a terrorist", he says.

Sky has cleared, sun's out...it's beautiful at Trophy Point. Glancing up the Hudson, thoughts flashed back to 49 years ago when I was a young cadet being sworn in to the Long Grey Line....Could have been yesterday.

Photo shoot continues..past cadet barracks, classroom buildings, parade grounds, football stadium, hockey rink while the pride of the nation goes about its business. Gray uniforms, gray buildings..Hans & Inga-Lill are impressed.

Later, in the Park Restaurant we greet classmate Dick & his wife Sue Rogers, who cycled across the northern route from Seattle, on their tandem. Deeply impressive.....so many stories to swap..so little time as the six of us try to relate to the babble of tongues across the table.