Richard and Loretta Vanderhoek sent us off with breakfast, a packed a lunch and Loretta even pinned us with three guardian angels to protect us on our journey. Our road was a flat beautiful bike path leading us right to thundering glorious Niagara Falls. It was magnificent to arrive here on bicycles, but a little overwhelming with all the tourists.
Pam had to do some fast talking but she did find us a donated room at the Thrift Lodge in the heart of the Clifton Hill Tourist District. It wasn't until we were settled in that she let on there was a "catch". They had karaoke going on right outside our room until 2:00 AM. Luckily we had a day off to tour the falls and we accepted the terms.
Our day off found us touring the falls on the Maid of the Mist tour. We climbed on board a boat packed in with many other tourists wearing blue plastic rain ponchos. Then we rode right up to the falls where the water was flying up so hard and fast, that the falls disappeared from view, only the noise reminded us of the overwhelming presence of the falls. That and all the water sloshing around inside my shoes.
After our tour we decided to vacate our room beside the karaoke stage. We had been ready to pay for a second night, but not after a night of listening to karaoke which got louder as the night wore on. I think as people drink more, the singing gets less inhibited; louder, but not better. So we packed up and the hunt was on for another room. This time it took Pam four tries. Just as Carol and I were about to give up and ride away from the area, Pam struck it rich at the Quality Inn. We had a lovely room, breakfast and even a swimming pool at our disposal.
Next, Carol and Pam rode to the bike shop to investigate Carol's rear brake rubbing on the rim. The bike mechanic discovered a cracked rim. This was serious and all the mechanic would do was true the wheel and charge $30. Pam then asked the mechanic to oil her chain and was charged $15. Wow, this is not how they expected to be treated.
Carol was now stressed, with good reason. A cracked rim can lead to a minimum of a flat tire and maximum to serious injury. I found another bike shop in the phone book, but it was about 12 miles off of our route. After much investigation, Carol hired a taxi to take herself and bicycle to the shop. She had to show the courteous taxi driver how to fold down the back seats in order to fit the bike into the trunk and he was pleased to learn something new. He then drove her to the shop, where he waited for her. Glen, the owner promised to rebuild the wheel overnight and deliver it to the hotel by 7:00 AM. The taxi driver told Carol he had to return to town anyway and offered to not charge her, she insisted and he said "OK, half price."
Once the bicycle problem was under control, Pam wanted to find the dish everyone in Canada had told her was the best, Putine (PooTEEN). This is french fries covered with gravy and cheese. I rode with her for moral support, not to indulge. We found "Potato Heads" which was a little red trailer parked by the side of the road. Robert, the owner ended up giving her the Putine for free after finding out all about our ride. Pam ate it but did not swoon the way she expected to. But, Robert was so generous. He even made a $10. donation to Habitat.
We are so happy to go to sleep in our comfortable, quiet room.
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