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!
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.
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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