Niagara Region

If we love one another, God will live in us in perfect love.
                                  1 John 4:12

Horseshoe Falls (from Canadian side)

Visitors Center flowers in bloom

Self Portrait near Horseshoe Falls

A downriver dam on the Niagara River

Niagara Falls has been the highlight of my travels so far. Excellent weather has helped but I must say that the natural wonder of the Falls 'takes the cake'. Lot's of history about this area at the Visitor's Center on the Ontario side. I can understand why this is such a popular destination for people on their 'honeymoon'...tremendous forces of nature with easy accessibility.

I think the Canadian side is more spectacular because it's higher in elevation and that makes it easier to see. It's like a 'bird's eye view'. Additionally, the sun's rays tend to be at your back more on the Canadian side and sighting a 'Rainbow' is common. Geologists say the Canadian side is younger, perhaps it hasn't eroded as much.

There is a ridge of land indigenous to the Great Lakes area called the escarpment. This terrain is abruptly higher than than the water level of the Lakes and Niagara Falls is one of the areas where water cascades to a lower elevation, quickly. The elevation changes remind me of 'The Bluffs' along the banks of the Mississippi River in southwestern Wisconsin, but this (in Ontario) is wooded and lacks the visible rock stratification of the Bluffs. This escarpment begins in western New York and ends northwest of Chicago. It's not a lot of fun to try to get up it on a bike with a trailer (like mine). I needed to walk it.    

Visitor's Center aficionados enjoying a rainbow

Distant full breadth view of Horseshoe Falls

The Lord is good to those who hope in him, to the soul that seeks him.
                                                                  Lamentations 3:25

Up river above Horseshoe Falls

Brave boaters trekking for a river view of Niagara Falls

The American Falls

The Niagara River downstream from the falls, before it flows into Lake Ontario

One handsome Rainbow

Though many, we are bread, one body, foe we all partake of the one Bread and one Chalice.

1 Corinthians 10:17

Going To New York

Solid line is the travels I've done this tour...dotted line is proposed route and destination

Well, I've had a new revelation in my itinerary. Because I'm getting homesick I'd like to ride to Florida this winter and take a cruise ship back to San Diego thru the Panama Canal. According to this map however, I'd be heading back up the east coast next spring and summer. Plans to cross the north with stops in New England, Milwaukee, Yellowstone National Park and the Columbia River will not come to fruition with this new agenda. Irregardless, I want to install in your interest that my plans are subject to change and do change frequently, so only take this map with 'a grain of salt'.

Modern bridge over Lake Ontario

 'GEARS' bike shop...corner of Lake Shore Rd and Mississauga Rd...courteous staff

Handsome condominiums in Mississauga

Your word, O Lord, is truth; sanctify us in the truth.

John 17:17

          


I'm a pretty fickle traveler. I don't like to disclose to much information about where I'm going because things change. I don't want to be called a liar if I don't fulfill my original portrayed expectations. For example, when I designed this tour, I planned to circumnavigate the lower 48 states in a counterclockwise fashion. Since then however, things have changed a lot. Many people are interested in where I've been and where I'm going, so on this post I'll include a map with a proposed route. Note: this is speculation and change is highly likely. The solid pink line is where I've been (within 50 miles) and the broken pink line is where I'd like to go.

While in Ontario, I planned to go around the Lake and take a ferry across the St Lawrence River from Kingston, ON and end up in Cape Vincent , NY. Now, I've decided to take the most direct way to New York and that's thru Niagara Falls. This distance is about 1/3 of my original plan. Besides, I've never been there. I might as well take that opportunity, right? Heck, it's September and the weather won't feel summer like for to much longer according to my intuition.

The Lakefront Trail is one that designed for best access to Lake Ontario as a pedestrian or cyclist. As far as I know it goes around the Lake with several segments of road riding. Irregardless, this is a excellent trail and the experiences you'll find on it are priceless.

While traveling around the southwestern part of Lake Ontario I had great experiences visiting local fruit stands in Niagara On the Lake. Lot's of wineries around here too.


Remember your word to your servant, O Lord, by which you have given me hope. This is my comfort when I am brought low.
                                  Psalms 118:49-50

Hardworking Janice @ EPP Farms...15896 Niagara Pkwy

Van De Laar Orchards...15434 Niagara Pkwy

Look for roadside Johny here...corner of Niagara Pkwy & Line 8

A boat exiting Hamilton Harbour underneath the Lift Bridge on Lakefront Trail

A colorful creation

This Market at 4025 New Street in Burlington is Canada's finest from my experience.

NOVA...this bread shop will change your life! 3635 Cawthra Rd. Mississauga, ONT



By this we came to know the love of God:that Christ laid down his life for us; so we ought to lay down our lives for one another.
1 John 3:16

Toronto-extended stay

Garden Car insignia..Every Picture Tells A Story Don't It?

I am the good Shepherd, says the Lord; I know my sheep, and mine know me.
                                                                         John 10:14

Oakville Harbor

Picturesque Lake Ontario Shoreline

Oakville Harbor yachts

Practicing Urban Skateboarder

Marked Parking Stall for adults with infants

Toronto's Royal Ontario Museum ROM

God has called us through the good news, to obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
                                                                                2 Thessalonians 2:14

Toronto has been a oasis for my tour. Although I didn't plan on staying in this 'Golden Horseshoe' area for as long as I have, I'm currently anchored here. Recent equipment problems have manifest themselves with a broken thread on my front fork that secures my front panniers. Additionally; the 'dropout' fork on my trailer broke and I'm waiting for the part to be delivered. In the interim, I've made some adjustments to my equipment and hope it lasts between here and Niagara Falls, NY where my parts are being delivered. The stability of my ride is effected do to these broken parts, so I need to take it slower for awhile. Fortunately, I've been able to secure my front pannier with a $0.86 hose clamp purchased at Home Depot. I think this will hold!

I haven't been doing the kind of mileage that I first anticipated in Canada. Originally, I planned to go around Lake Ontario and enter New York thru Kingston, ONT., but now I've decided to take the more direct route back to the USA. The days are growing shorter and the nights cooler so I'm probably better off heading south sooner as opposed to later.

A unique difference I've taken note of in Ontario are the parking stalls designed for expectant mothers and or families with small children. These stalls are marked with similarities to the handicapped parking stalls in the US. Usually closer to the main entrance of businesses. I think it's a respectful and courteous way to address parents of young children and mothers to be.

Me @ the ROM using a funky mirror

447 Speers Rd. Oakville...Alexandre's THE MAN!

105 Cross Ave., Oakville...fair prices

CYCLEPATH.CA 507 Speers Rd. Oakville...knowledgeable staff

547 Trafalgar Rd. Oakville...Ryan helped me with useful suggestions

Jay @ this 222 Queen St. So.  bike shop was very helpful...Mississauga

Quality food, unsurpassed staff with a WI-FI signal too. 2390 Lakeshore West...Oakville. www.oreganopizza.com

Another positive observation I want to inform my blog followers of is that of wine sampling in grocery stores and places that market wine. How are you supposed to learn about wines without some knowledgeable instruction. I've consumed a bigger variety wine in Canada than any other place on earth. Lot's of grapes are produced in Southern Ontario.  


You have laid down your precepts to be carefully kept; may my ways be firm in keeping your statutes.
                                                                                       Psalms 118:4-5

Toronto

Colorful Ontario flower in Bloom

May I never boast of anything except the Cross of the Lord, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
                                                                                     Galatians 6:14

Canada's largest city too!

The absolute best path to explore the waterfront areas

United Ontario Teachers make a public march in Queens Park

European architecture at The University of Toronto

The chalice of blessing that we bless is a communion in the Blood of Christ; and the bread that we break is a sharing in the Body of the Lord.
                                                                                      1 Corinthians 10:16

Shopping inside Toronto's Eaton Centre

Fresh Produce in Kensington

Fresh Fish at Kensington market

Kensington Mural

Mural artist at work in Kensington

Bloor Street Cafe near Kensington

Garden Car in Kensington...this vehicle is filled with dirt!

Garden Car girls

Tasty Indian cuisine served here at 1701 Bayview Avenue, Toronto

I spent a few nights at this hostel on King and Spadina


 How precious is your mercy, O God! The children of men seek shelter in the shadow of your wings.
Psalms 35:8

Toronto is the most cosmopolitan city I've ever visited. Lot's of non-native influence from many corners of the world. Although English is the official language, French is the most popular second language. For example, ingredient labels and directions for food preparation are usually listed in both tongues. People from Asia, Europe and the Middle East all seem to flourish here as well. A subway system offers alternate ways to get around town if you don't have a personal set of wheels. Traffic is a issue here, several times I've found myself moving faster on my bicycle thru streets filled with idling cars and trucks.

It wasn't easy to find an affordable bed around here. Two out of the three places I rented from had bed bugs...not a good memory. Many aspiring students are searching for housing in a market that's limited in availability.  In turn, I thought that the cost of sleeping quarters was exceptionally high. I guess that's a good problem to have if you're a landlord searching for tenants.
 
I enjoyed Kensington in downtown Toronto. Street markets, wall paintings and great murals prevail there. Queens Park was fun and I was impressed with the architecture at the University of Toronto. I felt like I was walking around Europe there with the steep rooftops and stone walled buildings.