August 3, 2011 WE MADE IT! 1771 MILES
On our last morning we wake up to an overcast sky with threatening rain in the forecast. For only the 3rd time on our trip we don our rain jackets. Bruce and I are filled with excitement and anxiousness for the day as we leave at 6:45 for our last day and Niagara Falls.
Getting to the bike path that will take us to the Peace Bridge gets a little “dicey”. The map directions tell us to “At the bus stop take a right on the trail.” Right! We are in the midst of traffic, pouring down rain and underneath 4 freeway overpasses looking for the “bus stop.” We decide to sit under the overpasses until the rain slows up. Finally we ask a passerby where the trail is and she directs us across 4 lanes of traffic. Pushing the bike across we find the bike path and are on the trail. The trail goes along Lake Erie until we get to the Peace Bridge. Before getting on the bridge we have to “unhook’ Bob in order to get through the gate. We walk Bernice over the bridge facing the traffic of TRUCKS. Whew we make it over and manage our way through customs. We are in Ontario.
Traveling to the fall is why we love biking so much. The road to the falls is called the Niagara Parkway. This parkway is along the Niagara River through some of the most stunning houses we have seen on this trip. The parkway has hardly any traffic, no hills and the road is smooth. As we pedal along we watch the river which is flowing so slowly that the surface looks like glass. We note the lack of Cicadas today, but hear crickets. Along the way we encounter lots of Canadian Geese who think they own the property by the river. Our ride is so peaceful as we watch the river change in its flow from glass to ripples. We start to notice a “steam” ahead but because we don’t know what to expect we think it might be a steam plant? The closer we get the more buildings and construction (They are building a tunnel under the falls) we see along the river. The steam becomes more pronounced as we start to hear the roar of the falls. We enter the Horseshoe Falls viewing area to an extraordinary view!!! Both Bruce and I are in awe of the sight. It was glorious. After eating lunch, taking pictures and visiting with people, we ride back to Buffalo.
We are staying at a Bed and Breakfast in Buffalo called Beau Fleuve. www.beaufleuve.com It is a Victorian B and B in a lovely neighborhood in Buffalo. Big George, our GPS, gets us there safely and without too many “honks” from the New Yorkers who are always in a hurry. We celebrate by going out to dinner and having champagne.
Arrival Time 4:10 pm
52 miles, 8.9 mph(that includes walking over the Peace Bridge twice and walking the bike around customs), 5 hours 49 minutes ride time, 800 feet elevation gain
August 4, 2011 we will spend packing up the bike.
August 5, 2011 working with Fed Ex to pick up the bike
August 6, 2011 flying home.
Critter count
3 Blue Heron
1 Presbyterian Church
We will be sending out before we leave Final Thoughts/Reflections from our trip. That will be the last report from us.
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