Travel
J. D. Carpenter’s American Odyssey
DAY 2 – ERIE, PENNSYLVANIA: We drove south from Syracuse a few miles, then turned west into the Onondaga Indian Reservation, and from there up and across the knuckles of the Finger Lakes: Skaneateles, Auburn, Seneca Falls, Geneva, Canandaigua. (We stopped in Skaneateles to eat our lunch of leftover ribs and cornbread from the Dinosaur Bar-B-Que, and I asked a gentleman walking along the sidewalk for the correct pronunciation of his town’s name. “What do you think it is?” he said. “Um, Skan-eatle-ease?” I offered. He smiled and shook his head. “Skanny-atlas,” he said.)
We drove up to Farmington, home of Finger Lakes Race Track, where we visited the administration offices in an effort to gain access to the backstretch. I was hoping to take a photo of Funny Cide for the blog and generally pick up some atmosphere for the new book, but we were politely rebuffed. The official we spoke to explained that since the arrival of New York State’s new governor, Eliot Spitzer, no “unlicensed” personnel are allowed into the barn area. This is all part of a crackdown on the New York Racing Association (NYRA), which USA Today referred to as a “poster child for mismanagement and corrupton.” I offered the official a copy of Bright’s Kill as a last-ditch effort to persuade him, and although he accepted the book, he did so shaking his head and saying, “If only you’d been here a few months ago, I could’ve helped you out.”
From there we travelled west to Erie, Pennsylvania, where Karen, rooting through our Room$avers coupons book, found us clean and inexpensive ($44.95 plus tax) lodging for the night (with free wireless high speed Internet) at a Microtel Inn.
Today we’re off to Grove City, Ohio (Beulah Park) and thence to Cincinnati (River Downs) and Florence, Kentucky (Turfway).
Tags: About the author
J.D. Carpenter's Campbell Young novels have been nominated for the Arthur Ellis Award, appeared on national bestseller lists (The Globe & Mail), and received critical acclaim (The Globe & Mail, The Toronto Star, The Edmonton Journal, Maclean's, Quill & Quire).
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Hi guys: Trivia note (to some) re Geneva, New York. Extremely talented and extremely young jazz bassist Scot LaFaro, the week after recording the famous Vanguard tracks with Bill Evans and Paul Moatian and three days after a standing ovation at the Newport Jazz Festival killed himself in a car accident when he hit a tree coming home to Geneva. Sad tale. Great player. Always thought there was a story in it. Maybe this is it. Best wishes to both of you. Hit the road before it hits you.
I thought you would like to know that Finger Lakes Race Track is in no way affiliated with NYRA ,The New York Racing Assocaiation.
Carp & Karen:
Nipped over to the Milford library after a wet (it’s raining) trip to the “landfill site” so we could tap into your blog and read what has become of you. Dinosaur ribs on the road sounds delicious. Too bad, though, that you were rebuffed at the first track you went to. It’s likely the Arabic-looking profile you (Dave) present to the outside world…you being in the good ole U S of A and all.
We also wanted to say “Happy Birthday”, Dave. The situation being what it was on the 17th–4 days away from the “move”–we forgot and we ought not to have done that. But you said nothing. What is it? 59 is just too traumatic? We feel for poor Karen, out on the road with a geezer, as it were, but I am sure she will manage.
Susan has million things to say to you but she can’t think of any of them at this moment. Oh wait, Karen, you are to wear a skirt (if it’s hot) sitting in the car all day.
She also wants you to know that “Life [with] Brian” is great…one week and two days into co-habitation.
You will also be pleased to know that we have a joint debit card. Ain’t life great!
Finally, after a mere three days residency in the County, I got my name in the local paper…my presentation to Council on Monday night. Eloquence and that sort of thing was referred to and my pearls of wisdom were quoted but, alas, to no avail. Coiuncil immediately after I sat down voted 9 to 7 to increase the bag tag to $2.00. What can one do? I guess it’s (for me) back into political life after many years absence. Can’t let these jokers get away with stuff like this without commentary.
Anyway, have fun kids. I’ will have a hotmail account soon and when I do I’ll let you know so you can write back.
Love and kissies.
Brian & Susan & a nuzzle to the crotch from Jordi
Although Lake Erie looms large in the background, I can’t help but notice the local price of gasoline. It translates into about 77 cents/liter – a hefty savings from the $1.04/liter that the “No Frills†gas bar is presently charging back in Picton, ON.
It’s too bad that you weren’t able to get up close and personal with the 2003 Derby champ. Spitzer has made a career out of pursuing corruption and organized crime – he started investigating the NYRA back when he was Attorney General.
Keep the updates coming and as the song goes: “Get your kicks on Route 66!â€
MM.
Sounds like the ribs were amazing and nice mural. Loved the pic also. Sounds like New York’s governor is on top of what must be his biggest issue in the state, keeping book researching authors away from their research. And where can one pick up an atlas of skanny. Keep up the great work…