Arrival in Upstate New York

You know, when anyone says anything about New York state they automatically think of New York City. In fact if people say the pronoun New York most people assume the person is talking about New York City before New York the state. But I’m here to represent upstate New York. As my latest host John has said there is clearly a big difference and an environment of its own in upstate New York. I guess I’m not really sure what “upstate” refers to though. Maybe saying Syracuse is Upstate New York is like saying Mount Pleasant is “Up North” in Michigan, and Yoopers take great offense to that.

Well it doesn’t much matter for my locale, I am in central New York, the dead center. One source tells me it’s the geographic center for the state, Erieville, NY. As I track my memory through all the stops on the trip Erieville may be the 2nd smallest town I have stayed in on the trip. There are only a few hundred folks here, most of them seem to live around the lake. It’s quiet and relaxing, I spent most of my day reading away, something I have not done in a long time.

My connection here is once again a result of U.25 magazine, but not directly. The magazine was published. Parker offered to host me. Parker, Sean, and I spent one night in Boston to meet up with their other friends. The next day in the Boston Commons we meet up with their friend John. Two weeks later… here I am, at his place with his family.