Here it is Tuesday, August 20th, and I’m going to write a bit about the Niagara Falls experience from last week. You know, what can you say beside all the appropriate adjectives and adverbs, such as “beautiful”, “powerful”, “majestic”, “a lot of water”, etc.?
But there are a few things to mention about the experience.
We will start with the first night, Wednesday, August 14th. After surrendering my self-protection equipment to the Queen at the Canadian border (she really doesn’t need it, she has plenty of personal guards), I cycled onto Center Street, to Bertie Street, and then to the Niagara Parkway. I pulled over and consulted the iPhone but didn’t dare make a phone call with the cost of international rates, etc. But I found that there were motels nearby so I went to the Howard Johnson motel in Fort Erie, near the border. Now this was not your typical HJ but more of the cheap kind of motel I have been utilizing. In fact, there was no hot water in the shower! I was so dirty after camping and then traveling in the city and my hair needed a desperate washing. So, while I took that cold shower, I cussed and laughed and laughed and cussed. After all, it was at least summertime. I wouldn’t have been able to bear the cold water if it had been January!
The single serving coffee pot power button was broken, but if I kept pressure on it, the little stinker would spit out the hot water to make the single 6-8 oz serving of rather awful coffee. But, aha! There was a Tim Horton’s next door, so I went over and purchased a very large serving of it, which would provide a good 3-4 cups of coffee. I thought I would reheat it in the microwave.
Oops! Silly me, no microwave.
The next morning, the manager mentioned that there was no hot water because the plumbers had not fixed the line the day before. It was a little late. When I checked out an hour later, he asked if the hot water was working. I answered, “Yes” and he cheered. I bet it had been a stress to him, as well as to his customers!
But, hey, I was in Canada! So it’s good!
But wait a minute. Down the street was a Wendy’s, Tim Hortons, and WalMart, in addition to all the other stores you know. Was I really still in the USA? What’s the difference? I have had Canadian friends tease me about American materialism.
Hmmmm...
But, I will admit. I loved the Horton’s coffee and I bought a small salad and a baked potato from Wendy’s. All is well.
The next morning, I slept in a bit because the Niagara River really isn’t that long and I would be at the falls within 15 miles.
So, began a lovely, leisurely day. I cycled along the river on Niagara Parkway, stopping at a little marina coffee shop for an oatmeal cookie and fresh coffee. I took bike paths that meandered next to the Parkway, in front of gorgeous lake homes with perfectly manicured lawns and gardens.
Many are for sale, by the way. While at Niagara Falls, I saw a tv clip that said that the housing market is going well and it’s a great time to buy. That’s for all you materialistic Americans (and Canadians!!) who want to own a home. My son wanted me to buy as soon as I texted him this information. But, hey, I don’t even have a job right now!! So house shopping is not on my list. Grapes, bananas, muffins, and a cheap place for the night, however, are definitely on my mind.
Anyway, back to the day of amazing views. I pulled HD over several times to look at the river as it began to pick up speed toward the falls. Very cool indeed. Eventually, I arrived at the Niagara Falls themselves, parking HD so I could walk, gawk, and take photographs. There are two main falls--the Horseshoe Falls, or Canadian Falls, which are shaped in a U, and the American Falls, which are more straight across and land in jagged rocks below, creating quite an uproar of churning water and mist.
I returned that evening to see the falls again, because they are lighted at night in hues of green, pink, lavender, and blue. Really quite lovely. My camera locked up but only after several shots.
However, that meant I could not take the night time photos of the tourist section of Niagara Falls. This area is neon and bright and a tourist family’s dream, as many of the businesses are like arcades and miniature amusement parks for kids. I walked through the area in the afternoon and again at night. It was definitely summertime fun for the vacationer.
But also comes with a price tag. I went way over budget with a salad and a soda at Ruby Tuesday. I was a bit shocked. OK--so back to grocery stores!! Pass the raisins, please!
I purchased a few postcards and a small hoodie as I knew I would be heading into cooler weather soon. It is nearing the end of August and I haven’t started to head south yet. In Pennsylvania, I had seen signs of approaching autumn with some orange and crimson leaves on some of the underbrush. And through New York, I was beginning to see that duller green that suggests color changes are on the way. So, a hoodie that says Niagara Falls seemed to make sense.
On Friday, August 18th, I reluctantly packed up my gear and HD and I left the Fallsview Lodge, a cheap little motel within an easy walk of the falls. We cycled back to the Niagara Parkway and viewed the Niagara Whirlpool, which didn’t look as scary as the name. This is where the Niagara River, well away from the falls, but definitely fast moving white water, flows into an open area at a sharp turn, thus causing a churning of the water. Hydroelectric plants take advantage of the power of the water. Not only here, but near the falls as well.
I found it a challenge to find my way to the bridge that crosses back to the USA--the 405 in Canada and the 265 in the USA. It was bumper to bumper traffic and no lanes for cyclists or walkers here on this bridge. You were instructed to get behind a lane of cars and to just follow the traffic. More on the bridge experience in the next blog!
My brief sojourn in Canada had been delightful. I had not delved into any deep conversations with other folks as this was a tourist area, with people from all over the world visiting to see those majestic falls. I always enjoy hearing all the different languages of my brothers and sisters. We humans do so enjoy beauty and the Niagara Falls are one of the Natural Wonders of the world. I am so glad I came here.
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