Niagara Falls

Somehow I always picture the falls as being just too touristy, too kitschy. I mean, why would I want to go there? But it's on the route, so I figured we would take a look. Actually, a long look. This will be the first time we have spent more than two nights in the same room since Vermont.

After yesterday's tired day, I was glad our ride today was short. I figured I would just get through it. So of course I woke up feeling just fine, and found my energy level was right back to normal. Boy, if I could figure this out...

So we quickly found our way to the parkway that runs along the Niagara River from Fort Erie/Buffalo to the falls. It was another beautiful day, and there was very little traffic. Before we knew it, we were catching glimpses of the taller buildings. I found myself getting pretty excited. The approach was just the right length to keep up the interest. Suddenly, we were on a bike trail that took us out over the water. Then we saw more and more mist. Then wilder and wilder rapids. Then...the falls. I knew so little about them, not even that there are two areas. Since we were still in Canada, we reached the Horseshoe Falls first, the really impressive ones. Then we stopped to gape and feel the mist, and walked our bikes as we encountered more people. I just have to remember that major, enduring tourist attractions stay popular for a reason!

We met Liz & Raven for lunch, then walked down to gawk some more. Then we set out for New York. We still have over 800 miles to ride, but somehow reaching New York really almost feels like we're there. It certainly is an east coast state even if we are not exactly at the coast yet. A big landmark for me.

We had figured out that the bridge on the official route is a few miles north of both the falls and our New York hotel, so we took the Rainbow Bridge. We figured we'd walk across and avoid traffic confusion, but as we fished through pockets for the required 50 cent toll, a guy in a uniform told us we were not allowed on the sidewalk. Out with the cars we must go. Turned out to have a 15mph limit, so that was not a problem. Our customs agent was perfectly nice to us, but I got the feeling he had been practicing his best interrogator face since he was ten years old. He did it very well.

Then we were here, in New York. We easily found our hotel, and just as easily realized why everyone told us we should stay on the Canada side. Oh, well. Kiana is here with 7 month old Juliet, and it can be a pain to cross even such a benign border as this one when only one parent is there, and of course David is at work this week.

So I stood outside with the bikes while Bruce went to check us in. And stood. And stood. After about 20 minutes he stuck his head out & said everything was good; it was just taking some time. No kidding. 20 more minutes went by before he came out to say they had finally figured out how to put our room and Liz's & Raven's and Kiana's together - but the rooms would not be ready for another hour plus. Right then, Kiana arrived. We went to find - what else? - ice cream. Raven & Liz caught up and we came back to get the rooms. All set, except they only have showers. I love my bathtub & wasn't ready to spend all my rest days without, so we moved. After all that. This time they sent Bruce up with a new key that didn't work to a room right next to the vending machines. He went back down & they fixed the key but said this was the only room with a tub they had available. I was beginning to feel like the imperious aunt (Agatha?) in the Jeeves & Wooster stories.

We quickly got ready & walked down to take the Maid of the Mist boat. You get a blue plastic poncho as you board, so we all looked rather like Smurfs. Then the boat takes you to see the American falls, then Horseshoe falls. I would not have believed it possible to navigate that close. I almost wondered if we were going to go right under them. We seemed to get closer and closer for far longer than I would have dared to try. Oh, my, what an experience! Rainbows everywhere, powerful gusts of wind, spray, roaring water. An incredible trip.

Then we walked to a restaurant Raven had discovered & had a very nice dinner, then back to the hotel. Where I found that our tub does not hold water very well. Maybe we'll deal with that tomorrow.

Miles today: 25
Total miles so far: 3579