The morning of our second day in Niagara, camped at Shalamar Lake Campground we slept in and bit. After breakfast I took the computer over to the office area to see if the internet would work this morning. I got lucky and paid some bills and updated the blog. We had plans to meet with Mike Riddick (Ontario SCRC Provincial Officer) at 3:00 to go to the falls so we jumped on our bikes and rode to the village area of Niagara on the Lake. We parked and walked up and down the picturesque street. The buildings were a variety of historic architecture with freshly painted exteriors and flowers and trees everywhere. Even the side streets were outstanding. At on corner sat two horse drawn carriages waiting for passengers. There was every imaginable boutique and even a Tilley store. The aroma from the bakeries and coffee shops were irresistible. Shortly after !:00 we headed back to camp.
Jill was interested in a swim in the pool so I headed out to locate a grocery store for a few supplies. When I returned I found Jill resting and nursing an upset tummy.
Jill interjects... just my luck to have missed out on a guided tour of the falls, but perhaps the timing was good as I could not have been on the bike. I made a bathroom buddy who was suffering from the same condition & made the decision to switch to bottled water and avoid food for the next 36 hours. Certainly regret missing out on time at Mike's with the 238 bunch. Liked them very much and time in their company was an easy and natural thing. Sandra, one of the guests at Mike's was kind enough to send along a Niagara City Hall pin for me so I can wear it and pretend I did the tour.
Tummy feeling okay by noon the next day. Yeah! Here's Grant...
With the condition she was feeling she opted out of the afternoon/evening plans and I rode out the gate at 3:00 to meet Mike. Prompt as ever and keen to conduct a tour Mike was ready to go. He led me along Niagara Parkway. We took a stop near the Brock monument where back at the beginning was where the falls were originally located. We then went to a parking area at Rainbow Bridge were he works. This little maneuver put us into a restricted parking area that meant we didn’t have to pay the $20 each parking fee around the falls. From there we walked a distance right down the table rock where the Horseshoe Falls rolls over. All along the way were magnificent views of the American Falls and the Horseshoe Falls. The Maids of the Mist were running full tilt with lineups waiting to get on. Mike was a super host with lots of stories and knowledge of the falls and the city. I took lots of pictures and we had an ice cream to try to cool ourselves in very warm weather.
After the visit to the Falls Mike led me on a route that would have gotten me lost, right to his house in an extremely nice area of Niagara. He had planned a bbq and a few members of his club were coming by. At the house I met his dog Katie and big cat I think named George. His son Nick came shortly after we arrived. Nick is a bright young man celebrating his 20th birthday tomorrow, Friday. Happy Birthday Nick. Too Tall Paul and his wife Cecille arrived for dinner and we got to it. Ian got caught up at work and couldn’t make dinner. Paul is a well travelled biker having travelled every US state and all over Canada. He gave me some very helpful advise on our next leg of the journey. This involved avoiding all the traffic of metro Toronto and suburbs. After we had eaten Big Dave and his wife Sandra arrived. Dave and Paul both drive Electra Classics. We had a fun chit chat in Mike’s back yard. We heard from Ian and Eva and arranged to meet with them at a point of our ride.
All fed and watered, we got on our bikes and Paul led us on a wonderful ride in areas that only the experienced would know to use. We wound up at Lock 3 I believe and waited to see if the ship on the other lock was going to come down to us. But it seemed to tie up after it cleared the lock it was in. Ian and Eva arrived while we were there and soon we gave up waiting for a slow boat. So in good old SCRC fashion Paul led us through some great countryside to where else.... and ice cream place. This is an outlet right at the dairy producer. You could smell the cattle sitting outside. Once we all had enjoyed our cool treats the group of these wonderfully warm fellow riders from Niagara led me safely back to the campground were we said heartfelt farewells. I can’t thank this group and Mike especially for the wonderful way we were welcomed and for the generosity of their time. Chapter 238 of the Golden Horseshoe should be very proud of the fine group of people they are.
Back at the campsite, Jill said that it was sad that she had missed the time but was good that she had stayed near the camp for her. That night the campground had filled up quite a bit more and a lot of high adrenaline children were about. A group of kids had elected to play lacrosse behind us and by 11:30 it became a bit bothersome. We both elected to have half a sleeping pill and try to get some rest for morning. Our plans were to cross over the Queenston/Lewiston Bridge into the US. The route that Paul had shown me would save a lot of heavy traffic driving and take us through Bangor Maine, where Stephen King writes about on, our way to New Brunswick. We will get to Quebec City on the way back.
Jill again...
We joined in the cattle drive over the Lewiston Bridge. Temp at 9am was 76 F and humid. Spent about 30 minutes on the pavement sitting on hot machines as we waited our turn. I was praying we wouldn't be next in line for the random search imagining the tent trailer and all our gear spread out in a parking lot. Grant went through first. I had my passport ready. There's something about American border guards in their aviator sunglasses that intimidates the hell out of me. The gentleman walked behind me to make a note of my license plate number and said, "I'm surprised it doesn't say 'Little Giby' .", a reference to Grant vanity "Giby' plate. Knew I was alright.
No comments:
Post a Comment