Good people, as I was sitting down to type this in, I asked BS what day it was. He said, "day one". It's all about perspective, folks.
Yesterday was just dreamy. We opted for a buffet breakfast (imagine that! buffet by choice!) and joined a tour led by Rita, a comedienne to be sure. We did the Canadian side tour, complete with walking behind the falls, seeing the falls from below on an observation deck (otherwise known as a shower stand) seeing the whirlpool around 10 miles downstream, checking out the horticultural center and amazing park, and ending with the Maid of the Mist. BS said that if he hadn't have maid the trip he would have mist it. Fits right in, doesn't he? He also talked Rita into leaving us on that side so that we could have a leisurely lunch overlooking the falls. We walked back into the USA (which had the nerve of charging us 50 cents to do so!) in time for his orientation session, then walked to Goat Island for yet another great dinner overlooking the falls from a different perspective. We were joined at dinner by other folks from the tour who were eager to meet him.
The polite eagerness turned quickly to razzing him the next morning when we stepped out in matching jerseys and bike shoes. We had another great day, 82 miles of rolling hills and greenery. BS really just left Riverside 2 days ago so all the green was impressive to him. I have been lucky enough to have seen it all along. Different people rode by and said hi, and Rich told the joke du jour which was Why are there no Wal Marts in Afghanistan? Because they are all Targets.
Got in early and was relieved to find that my strategy paid off: I was first in the laundry!!!! See, many people on their off day do things like laundry. I had a guest to entertain so didn't want to mar the day with such tasks. Gary slept 16 hours, Bob stayed in his room, Bill didn't venture out into the world until 3:30. Many different styles of rest.
I have frequently stressed that BS needs to do his own ride. Steve has already invited him to ride with him if he "loses the ball and chain". Can't believe it's the last week. Thanks for all your support, and take care, MA
5 comments:
Dear MA,
I can't believe it either!
I guess you got your goat for dinner!
I can't believe that I am first to comment today (unless someone else slips in a comment!).
Dominic just got back from his trip...went straight to bed! I am sure he is in "blog withdrawal" as his computer seems to have malfunctioned on the trip...hope it is nothing serious.
I do "Baby Duty" tonight...and as usual, am looking forward to it.
It is so cool that you got to see the big N...and with someone. It must be Barry hard to share an experience like that! ;-)
You can read into that what EVER you want!!!
Hope you guys have a wonderful trip and enjoy the ride together....what type of a rider is BS? Is he up front with the "leaders"....although if you made it to laundry time early....that means you must be doing pretty good!.....or did you just leave earlier??? SOOOOOO much better to enjoy a "rest" day and do the laundry when you get in! Why waste a day doing that stuff?
I can't wait to hear everything from you first hand(okay, out of the 37 days that you have posted, I may have said that at LEAST 15 times...aren't you lucky? Keep up the blogs, they are a journal for memory sake! (as opposed to Pete's sake...PR always comments that I needn't do it for HIS sake... when ever I use that expression, which is a favorite of mine!).
Have a wonderful SIX days and enjoy your time with BS (somehow that brings to mind something else.....does BS have BROWN eyes???)(...you're kiddin'!...yup!)
Take care & God bless you both!
May the wonderful (hey, even if it is cloudy and doesn't rain...that counts as wonderful!)riding days ahead!
Much love,
me
MA:
I can feel "blog-nesia" sneaking up on me already... only one solution, you'll have to keep on writing one when you're back. Sure, "got on freeway, spent 50 minutes on a 20-minute trip, worked, drove home, ate, slept" doesn't QUITE have the same ring to it...., but I can't imagine NOT reading about what you've done.
It is amazing that you're on the last week of your amazing adventure - and I'm as admiring of your ability as I'm jealous of your enjoyment of the wonderful countryside. Yup, I think you oughta think about chucking this nursing gig and just ridin' and writin' full time (or almost full time) like Mike seems to do. (Of course, Mike doesn't mention that military pension of his, but I'm sure it helps with the bills... LOL)
Hope you and Barry have the wind at your back for some great days together.....
Love,
Gyurka
Yo babe! Cool time at the Falls, eh?! Just an 87 mile ride to warm-up BS? See how he's feeling after a week of that! McKade noted that the trip goes north so he's worried about the amount of hill climbing you'll be doing - oh, to be 6 years old again.
Seems like you may be lamenting your time left, but take it from someone who was given only a week for recreation before returning to the working world...its not so bad. Speaking of work, my 6.8mile roundtrip commute is taxing (ha!) and its really cutting-in to my play time, but I think its going to work. I'm even considering greener forms of transportation. Karch arrives home next Monday. He doesn't know I'm working again. I think his 3 weeks away will give him enough stories to last a year. We'll put the two of you in a room and let you talk it out :-) Seriously, I DO want to hear more and see more of your trip.
Keep riding...writing...and righting (with a few lefts, too).
Love ya dear, Tenley
Wuhoo! Go Niagra Falls!! Any of your intrepid colleagues suggest barrelling over? Your group seems all about extreme sports....
~Aleta
7/31/07
Dear MA (Merrily Ambling)
And now BS (Biking Successfully)
What day is it? The first day of the best part of your lives! (From my wedding toast to Julie.) It IS all a matter of perspective. Happiness is not so much about WHAT you have as how you think ABOUT the things you have. (Paraphrasing Dr. Laura).
Of course BS talked Rita into letting you stay on that side – that’s the advantage of having your own mouthpiece along. Now ask him what he thought of your lawyer joke.
Glad to hear BS got into the descriptive terminology just for the halibut instead of just floundering in the waters. Hearing that was like Deja Moo: The feeling that you've heard this bull before. (Just kidding, I liked it.)
Razzing him was just a way for the group to make him feel at home. I’m not clear if he loses the ball and chain by falling behind or pulling ahead.
Loved the Walmart joke – right on target.
Enjoy, enjoy and enjoy again. The perspective is you’ll look back on this trip for the rest of your life. Get home safe and happy.
George - it's blog withdrawals. Amnesia is what I get o/w known as senior moments.
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