Day 3 marked the start of the driving leg of our East Coast USA road trip. We woke to clear skies and warm sunshine, perfect for a final breakfast in New York City before hitting the road towards upstate New York and our next stop – Ithaca in the Finger Lakes.
A Somber Morning in the City
It was a reflective morning in New York. The date was September 9th – close to the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, a day forever etched in memory. On the hotel TV, we watched as family members read the names of the 2,977 people who lost their lives at the World Trade Center. The city was quieter than usual, with preparations underway for the President’s visit to the 9/11 Memorial later that day.
Had we realised the significance of the date when booking, we would have added an extra night to stay and pay our respects in person. Instead, by late morning we were in a taxi heading back to JFK Airport to collect our hire car and begin the next leg of the journey.
Picking Up the Hire Car
Collection was smooth and efficient. We were handed the keys to a Toyota 4Runner – not quite the muscle car or classic American cruiser I’d been hoping for, but rugged, comfortable, and capable of tackling whatever the next two weeks would bring. Despite the lack of fancy features, it drove nicely for its size and felt solid on the highway.
Leaving New York City
Our original plan was to drive through Lower Manhattan and cross into New Jersey, but with road closures due to the President’s visit, we took the alternate route via the George Washington Bridge and Newark. The detour added a little distance but rewarded us with easier traffic and the unexpected bonus of ticking off another state – Pennsylvania – even if only for a few short miles.
On the Road to Ithaca
The drive north was long but scenic – miles of highway framed by forests, mountains and glimpses of lakes along the way. We stopped a couple of times for coffee and to stretch our legs, enjoying the rhythm of the road and the peaceful switch from city chaos to countryside calm.
Arrival in Ithaca, Finger Lakes
We rolled into Ithaca around 5pm, tired but happy to have our first real driving day behind us. The pretty college town was winding down for the evening, with many shops closing up, but there were still plenty of lively spots to eat and drink.
Dinner at Red Plate
We settled on Red Plate – a relaxed local spot serving hearty comfort food and a tempting beer list. Deb ordered fries and a ciabatta sandwich while I tucked into the same with a side of IPA (or two). For dessert, we shared a plate of sweet nachos with chocolate and caramel dip – messy, indulgent, and absolutely worth it.
Several craft beers later, we grabbed a coffee for the walk back to the hotel and spent the rest of the evening watching a bit of gloriously cheesy American TV. A perfect end to a long day behind the wheel.
Next Up: On to Niagara Falls
Tomorrow brings an early start and one of the most anticipated parts of the trip – crossing the border into Canada via the Niagara Falls. The road trip proper has begun, and we can’t wait to see what lies ahead.
