Erie Canal Adventure

The first day started wet and windy. After a brief security check we were flying across the Buffalo - Fort Erie International Peace Bridge into Southern Ontario.  The clouds slowly cleared and the sun made an appearance as we followed the bike path up the Niagara River.  Mike and Steve, who had been to the falls before, explained to our newby (Ken) that the puff of smoke on the horizon was really mist rising out Horseshoe Falls.

Dotted with historical sites and tourist attractions, the Niagara River Parks can sooth the racing heart of even the most enervated cyclist.

With two border crossings and quite hilly terrain on the road to Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario and Lockport, New York, this was one our more challenging days in the saddle. The video below will give you a sense of what it was like to ride past the hydroelectric plant (with the Niagara River running through a gorge below).

We

The whole trip was lovely even biking through the morning mist and rain or, as mentioned briefly in this video clip, braving distinctly bicycle-unfriendly Syracuse.

Day Four Video Blog (Clinton, New York) a video by Edu-Tourist on Flickr.

What the video should have told you about were some of our more unanticipated accommodation challenges, like the beds at Pink Fountain Motor Inn East (Depew), the lack of toilet paper at the Palatine Motel (Palatine Bridge) or fishing the copperhead snake out of the stove at Hal & Betty's on the last night.

One screamed - Ken - and other two musketeers - Ken & Steve - evicted ...

<< ... the ferocious snake >>

Otherwise the trip came off without incident or serious trauma. 

travail, yes ... trauma, no
Thanks to all of you for your support for our efforts!
I am sure Carla and I will be back to see more of this corner of the world.
[click on photos on the right to see more of Mike's photography]