19 August Thursday Niagara Falls, ON – Holley, NY

Starting Point: Niagara Falls, ON
Ending Point: Holley, NY
Via: Queenston, Lewiston (NY), Pekin, Lockport, Gasport, Middleport, Medina and Albion
Mileage: 70.6   
Time: 6:34   
Mph: 10.8
Terrain: flat
Vertical climbing: 741
Temperature High: 77
Temperature Low: 68
Lunch: chicken parmesan sandwich
Dinner: pasta & fish
Weather: warm, overcast, some rain
Lodging: Holley Erie Canal Dock Campsite
Cumulative Mileage: 3,588
Miles to Go: 512
Projected Distance: 4,100
Days completed: 74 (including 8 rest days)
Distance Completed: 88%
Days to Go: 13

To pledge: http://pledgejohn.lungne.org


     Leaving Niagara Falls was a little sad because we were leaving behind all the wonderfully fun things to do there, even those that had nothing whatsoever to do with giant waterfalls, i.e. The Wax Museum, The Haunted House, and The Casino. It was very uplifting at the same time because we were entering the Northeast and the salt air of the coast of Maine was almost tangible.

American Falls from the Maid of the Mist

     On the way to the bridge to the US in Queenston, most of us had the adventure of missing an important turn because of bad signage for bicyclists. I followed the sign for “Bridge to US” dutifully which led me 3 miles further away than I had expected from the actual bridge. It took me to an on-ramp for the highway which had the symbols for NO Pedestrians and NO bicycles. So I turned around and went back toward the river where there was a tiny sign “Bicycles to US” on only one side of the road. This led to the maze of cars, trucks, concrete barriers, car lanes and equipment that we all had to negotiate to get to actually cross the bridge.

Cormorants Basking on a Rock

     The first downhill was substantial and thrilling; however, the Adventure Cycling map neglected to mention that it was necessary to turn right mid-way down that fine hill in order to stay en route. At the bottom of the hill, I found a restaurant to have a more filling breakfast than the few cornflakes available at the hostel. About 20 minutes after sitting down to eat, in came Dolores and Dean who also missed the turn. Misery sure does love company. Our only choice was to head back up the hill again and continue on the correct path. This would make the third time in a row that I had missed that turn!

Cormorant Wannabe

     The main feature for today was getting on the Erie Canal towpath which is packed dirt and small gravel. It is a fine path with no traffic, no noise, a peaceful waterway right next to the path and the occasional boat motoring along with waving and friendly people on board.

Approaching Horseshoe Falls

     This evening was special because I was to meet David Lamb, my Wheezers and Geezers Trek Friends Team Captain, for dinner.