About Me

Eugene, OR, United States

Niagra Falls, NY Sept. 24, 2007

Niagra Falls, NY  Sept. 24, 2007
My first helicopter trip! What a rush!

Many thanks to...

Several folks deserve some special recognition for different reasons.

Natalie, my wife, you are SO WONDERFUL! I'll be home "soon." (Next month???)
Josh, my tech guy (son) who puts up with simple, dumb questions asked for the 8th time.
Karla, my graphics person for the neat business cards!
Stacey, for taking care of her Mom!

Jon Hardisty, on the phone motorcycle mechanic!
Travis and the whole crew at University Motors in Fargo, ND.
"Ya'll are great!"
All the guys at Town and Country Motorsports in Murray, KY.
Jason at ASK Motorsports in Columbus, OH.
Greg and his crew at Riders Edge in Gettysburg, Pa.
I appreciate the QUICK service.

My church family at Fairfield Baptist in Eugene, OR who are continually lifting me
to "the throne of grace" for a safe and fun trip!

The wonderful folks of Kingston and Harriman, TN who took great care of me
as a result of Day #75's little "mishap."

Monday, September 24, 2007

Day #45 Monday September 24, 2007






Day #45
Monday September 24, 2007

Grand Island, NY to Grand Island, NY
35 miles today (23,694 – 23,729)
9,162 miles total
0 new states today (but made Ontario, CN)
25 states total

It got CHILLY last night, and my little ceramic heater was clicking on quite a bit.
On a midnight stroll to the bathroom, the stars in the sky were brilliant. They are more amazing to me each time I look at them. It had been a lot of years prior to this trip since I’d taken the time to look.

My plans today include: putting away the groceries I purchased last night; cleaning out the saddle bags, riding around the Niagra Falls area, and just taking it easy. I have to find internet access somewhere so I can check tomorrow’s weather report, including up into Maine.

I rode out of camp about 10:45 and headed to Niagra Falls. I went to the American side first, which was really a mistake. But not knowing…you don’t know what you don’t know! I viewed a 40 min. IMAX film on the history of the falls. Very interesting. I walked around viewing the falls for about 2 hours, before realizing I could catch the trolley to all the different view points. I made several pictures, all the while curious what the Canadian view was like. After paying $10 to park the bike, $10 to watch the movie, and $10 to get a hot dog and drink…I was about OUT of $10!! (Watch closely for my desire to over ride my reason here shortly) I caught the trolley back to the parking lot and called the attorney I’d met in Marquette, MI at a rest stop. I spoke to his wife and we discussed dinner plans for the 3 of us tomorrow. They’ll drive over to the US which will be a lot easier on me, and we’ll try to be done by dark, so I’m not riding back in the dark.

I next headed out searching for the way to cross the border to view the falls from the Canadian side. While circling a block or two, I came across the helicopter flight over the falls business. A quick right hand turn landed me under their helipad. I was fortunate to catch a flight just getting ready to leave. They have to have 2 paying passengers, and prefer 3 or 4. I was the 3rd and last on this flight, so I go to ride SHOTGUN! Although I was about out of $10, I found the $75 to take the ride!
Oh yeah! What a view. I could see out below the toes of my boots. And yes, I made a LOT of pictures. We lifted off the helipad and banked hard left toward the river. We headed up the river toward the falls. It was incredible. I had already viewed them from the US side, but now I could see the “birds eye view” and all the maps and locations of the falls all became much clearer. The weather here is unusually warm and clear. Tomorrow may break a record for heat (83 or 84 degrees) set in the 1890’s. There have been NO CLOUDS at all, and of course it gets cool at night. The only semblance of a cloud was the constant “mist” that comes up from the cascading water as it tumbles over the falls. So neat! I'd recommend this to anyone!

Tomorrow, I have to check the weather one last time and make my decision to chance sleeping in the tent, or move indoors to a Kabin. The Kabin will insure all my gear stays dry. I’ll pack it away tomorrow and only keep my change of clothes out for Wednesday should I decide to go that direction. Then Wednesday AM, it is off to points EAST! I’ll follow Lake Ontario for many miles, the last of the 5 Great Lakes I have yet to see. Vermont, New Hampshire and eventually Maine and the 2nd of the 4 Corners is coming into view. I just hope and pray I can beat the inclement weather as I turn south towards sunny (???) Key West.

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