Monday, September 26, 2011

Our Lady of Fatima Shrine

Sunday we arrived in Youngstown, NY at Niagara Falls North KOA, a country campground filled with flocks of 100’s of birds busily eating, chirping and shifting their flight patterns in an instant. I’m sure they are in competition with the crickets. Changing seasons brings out the best of nature. Very warm 28 degree ride around farmlands and into historic village of Youngstown along the Niagara River which flows into Lake Ontario. The area is very flat for riding so easy to explore neighborhoods and the many tourist sites along bike routes and multi-use trails. Today was cyclotourist day as we explored the US Niagara State Park and the Canadian side of Niagara Falls, which is only 7 miles from camp. It was a smoking hot, humid, dripping day of riding which sapped our riding energy pretty quickly. A cruise on the Maid of the Mist (sans cycles) allowed us to get face to face with the powerful waters and experience awe-inspiring, spectacular views of the area and feel the exhilarating essence of this thundering, powerful, force of nature. Cycling around the state park was relatively easy so we decided to cross the Rainbow Bridge for Canadian, best views of the falls. Headed along shouldered river road but quickly retreated due to the heat…toooo friggin’ hot to be on bikes or to be wearing clothes…gotta love summer?

Phenomenal Niagara Falls 

Readying for Maid of Mist

US Falls cycling

I think we could jump the rail!

Saturday, September 23, 2011

West Canada Creek

Okay, I know you’re wondering what the f’cowy are we doing in the US…wellll, let’s just say a $700 one way ferry ride to Newfoundland for a week’s riding was a tad steep so we are heading across northern US towards Niagara Falls for more Canadian riding…ok? Last night was a very wet night but today was a cloudy, muggy, perfect day for riding. Whilst doing cycling laundry this am, we discovered a colored, glossy “Bicycling Atlas” for the Herkimer and Oneida Counties. What a valuable map asset for promoting cycle tourism. We headed out through Newport Township straight up 5 km of the steepest farming road I think I've ever cycled. All the cows were very impressed as they watched me grunt my way serpentining back and forth on the steep grade as I worked my way up into the drizzling fog of the mountains. Great ride down other side into Utica city returning Hwy 5 into town of Herkimer where we discovered the Erie Canalway Trail following the Mohawk River into Township of German Flatts where we rode through a full scale, living history re-enactment of the Civil War between the Union and the Confederates…holy crap!…had the beegeezus scared right out of me…shooting cannons and bayonet equipped rifles blasting everywhere…how bizarre these Americans are!!! We returned route 28 for an enjoyable 84 km ride along another section of West Canada Creek which is dressed in full spectrum, fall foliage. 

Rode path behind cannon into the war

Holy Smoke, what noise!

Fort Herkimer Church, site of Battle

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Drive day…argh!!!...Tom took a wrong turn and we ended up in the birthplace of Paul Bunyan in time for a late afternoon, sunny ride along a country road connecting to Penobscot riverside trail to downtown, canal system of Bangor, Maine…oops, thought we were in Canada %-) Great circle ride back to campground. Rains on Thursday forced us to continue driving across Massachusetts westward past Johnny Appleseed’s hometown onto Greenfield for an overnight, rest stop, sleepover, then westward through patchwork fall, rich, red colors of scenic, hilly route 2 to Middleville, New York. We are KOA camped on shore of West Canada Creek, home of Herkimer Diamond Mines…I really like carrots J Bikes were out for a short country bike-route ride on silent roads of whirring crickets and fragrant smells of many hillside farms. Lush greenery is evident from the very humid temps as well as much devastation from the flooding remains of hurricane Irene.  The stillness and beauty of fall is apparent everywhere as homes are decked in harvest fanfare shades of oranges, reds and gold. Extraordinarily, beautiful 22 degree ride before showers caught us.

Calais Border Bridge Crossing

Penobscot Creek

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Lily Lake, Rockwood Park

Drove to Saint John, NB landing in Rockwood Park, “heart of nature in the heart of Saint John”… one of Canada’s largest municipal parks which happens to be minutes away from downtown. What a beautiful park with numerous hiking, mountain and road biking trails as well as swimming, golf, aqua golf, horseback riding, and a zoo. We were able to get a short evening ride in the north end of the city returning as the temps were quickly dropping for a rather cool 4 degree night…mucho snuggleosJ Awoke to a clear, crisp fall morning which was ripe for riding out of the park heading northeast to communities of Rothesay, Quispamsis and McKeen Cove park. I wore my first, new jersey today which has Tom thinking this is the first step for Glenda to become a true roadie…whatever! It was an interval training day…up, up, up, down, down, down hills mixed with many rollers along shore side of Kennebacasis River and a quick return through the park as the black clouds were quickly rolling in…combined 84 km ride before we headed into city to catch high tide, head on collision, reversing falls phenomena of Saint John River and the Bay of Funday in the rain. Any day on the bike is still a great day!

Lake chains in Rockwood Park

McKeen Cove Park

Reversing Falls Visitor Center

Sunday, September 18, 2011

Peggy's Cove

Combo day…a little driving, a little riding. Headed along scenic south shore, country, seaside through Hubbards which is nestled on gorgeous St. Margaret’s Bay, then onto Peggy’s Cove where we walked the massive granite boulders carved by glaciers out to the 1868 lighthouse beacon and took in the fishing village ambiance and many tourists. We took Hillary and Kubla out of the truck in Mahone Bay so that we could cruise the streets and ride the Bay to Bay trail onto historic old town Lunenburg. Mahone Bay is a picturesque town of churches that grace the banks of the sheltered harbor as well as many large, old, stately homes, converted into B & B’s and cute little artisan shops. Trail to Lunenburg was gravely and ran through treed marshlands which were displaying their fall coats of reds and golden browns. We cycled through the colorful, seafaring waterfront, switched backed through the narrow streets and took in much of the captivating architecture and world heritage site. A very different, but pleasant ride.

Fishing Village Peggy's Cove

Downtown Lunenburg

Lunenburg Academy 

Saturday, September 17, 2011

Did you know that we are peelers? Yup,we are…11 degree cool start with clear skies and brisk northwest 

winds which meant pants and fall jacket riding…clothes came off pretty darn fast after first hill…we ain’t proud; off they came piece by pieceJ Headed out past Kearney Lake and hooked onto Mainland North Linear crusher dust Parkway which sliced through many backyard neighborhoods en route to downtown Halifax. Tried to find mapped cycle routes to Dartmouth but many of the streets are not labeled here which is most frustrating. Missed a road and found the TC multiuse trail by chance, which led us west, out of the city. Good thing as Tom was getting used to seeing Tim Horton’s on every street corner and craving donuts every 5 minutes! We followed along the 13 km BLT trail,(Beechville, Lakeside, Timberlea) a picturesque lake district which connected with 32 kms of St Margaret’s Bay Rails to Trails route where we had panoramic elevated views of the spectacular bay of blue coves which were filled with many sailing vessels and other watercraft. We came upon the “Bike and Bean” café which was trailside housed in an old train station with a bike shop in attached railcar. What a smart, little goldmine for cycle tourism! Connected with some packing cyclists in Hubbards where we decided to start our return trip. Had to ride a lousy gravel, sunken pothole shouldered highway for 10 km back to Hammonds Plains campsite to complete our 109 km circle ride.

Five Island Lake

Hard Rock Cafe

Popular Lunch Stop

>

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Okay all you blog followers, we haven't had internet for the past week... thanx for all your concern about our absence. I haven't killed Tom yet!  PEI is still reveling in Marconi's ability to send messages by Morse Code...Maritimer's seem to have limited Bell service; we just happen to be Roger's customers; anyways, we are now in Hammonds Plains at Woodhaven RV Park which is about 18 km outside of Halifax. We are getting the rains from Tropical Storm tonight but should be back on the bikes sometime tomorrow soooo catch up on your blog reading and stayyyyyy tuned!

McLobster Diner

Tom takes Glenda out for dinner

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Dominion Bay

Muggy, 26 degree, windy day for a 80 km ride along the various east bays of Cape Breton. No planned route, no map; my very favorite kind of ride. Saw an impressively, huge power plant with 7 large windmills at the end of Dominion Bay. Rode into very poor fishing village settlement of interesting salt houses, many of which had shutters adorned with bows or hearts. We then rode along a narrow dirt path on the top of the rugged banks of the bays into Glace Bay where lots of ducks lined river path out to the busy, colorful, fishing docks and landed at the Coal Mining museum which impacted much of the island’s history. Cruised on the backroads to Port Morien where we enjoyed bowl #4 of fish chowder at the “Dock ‘yur Dorey cliff side restaurant. Cycling has now turned into culinary tour. Followed road through Birch Grove where 100’s of birds were swirling amongst the berry trees in prep for the winter. We fought very strong headwinds back to camp…makes big, strong legs! Apparently there is another tropical storm brewing in the Atlantic.

Glace Bay

Eroding Cliff & MY HUSBAND!

Monday, September 12, 2011

Time to move off PEI by Confederation Bridge and onto Nova Scotia. Went along the Northumberland Shore seaside route which was so scenic with many Victorian homes in Amherst. Many pretty, sandy beaches and an unbelievable amount of cemeteries…I keep seeing dead people%-(...I swear there are more headstones than there are people in some of these towns. Anyways, landed in Pictou Caribou and Munroes Island Provincial Park…what a beauty…walked along the white sand beaches looking back across to PEI and turned in early. Tuesday, 13th am, we cruised cycled into seaside Pictou, a Scottish town; taking in the lobster museum and the Hector heritage tall ship. Followed through the narrow streets admiring the very large old homes and a YMCA from 1874…cooool…my ole stomping grounds. Back in the truck for a long drive to Cape Breton Island’s Ryan’s River, about 15 km outside of Sydney.

Looking over to PEI

Pictou Provincial

Hector Replica

Sunday, September 11, 2011

Grounded yesterday by 50 km winds and downpour thunderstorms so took in PEI’s central coastal roads with Silvee Cheyenne BFT stopping at some of the touristy spots. Many closures due to off- seasonL Today skies were clear with light winds, and cool air…the roads were beckoning. Connected with eastern section of Confederation Trail for an out and back ride passing several fields of bulrushes, (Tom thinks they are hotdogs on sticks) along many wetlands sections filled with various birds and unusual bugs lurking in the salt water marshes.  Had some peek a boo glimpses of lakes and crossed 3 rivers. Mount Stewart and Morrel townships each had full facility cycle stops and bicycle rentals, baby cycle carriers included too. Trail paralleled very scenic St Peter’s Bay where mussels are cultivated on rope farms. Ventured out to PEI’s Greenwich section of the National Park where we experienced one of Canada’s unique natural treasures; the spectacular dune system which rises above the white sand beaches and acts as a stunning background to an extensive trail system that includes a floating boardwalk. The foliage and water colors were unbelievable. Return ride was tough as we had constant headwinds all the way back to complete our record day of 135 km on our mountain bikes…a little salty and very thirsty. 

Breakin the law...riding floating bridges

Floating bridge network

Dune Trail

Friday, September 9, 2011

Sandhope Beach

Rains drove us out of Fundy across NB to Moncton’s Magnetic Hill…we don’t want to talk about this site and neither does our trailer…let’s just say the magnet did not work on the gate closure!!! Drove straight to Confederation Bridge, crossed the 13 kms over the Gulf of St Lawrence to sunny PEI. We settled at PEI’s National Park, Stanhope campground across the street from a gorgeous red sand-duned beach. PEI is noted for agriculture (potatoes, wheat & corn), fishing (mmm lobsters) and tourism. (that’s us) We cycled 76 km through rich farmlands, rolling hills via roads, the Gulf Shore Parkway and the PEI Confederation Trail, which runs the island, 270 km tip to tip. PEI’s cycling groups have done an astounding, stellar job using abandoned rail beds to complete this well signed multi-use trail…we’re very impressed. Loved the dew- kissed, clover carpets, golden leaves, wild flowers, berry loaded mountain ash trees as well as the many refreshing smells along the trails. Many beautiful heron filled marshlands were evident as we explored this beautiful island through serene rural landscapes. In addition, there saw a vast amount of cottage industry townships. We also cruised the narrow, colorful, historical streets of the quaint seaside city of Charlottetown. Did we stop for chowder at an Irish Pub?....maybe!

Narrow Charlottetown streets

High winds coming in

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Alma, NB...Lobster Town

Moved south down coastline to Fundy National Park on a very wet, rainy Tuesday. Woke up to sunny, cloudy, cool day, perfect for cycling…first time with jackets and pants on…bye, bye summer. It seems odd not to be going back to school, but for me …”School’s out Forever”…yeahhhhh…great day to be on the bikes! Left Headquarters campground to neighbour’s guitar bicycle send- off…”What goes up…must come down, spinnin’ wheels got to go round”…okay, so what does he know?...off we rode  and within minutes attacked our first of many giant hills…”High on a hilltop lives a lonely goater, yoddle ole lady whooo” Our clothes were off pretty darn quick…it was a rugged 75 km Hwy 915 coastline ride of up,up,up…down, down, down. The quad/hammy pistons were definitely put to the test today…”I’m a big hill slinger, I’ve got golden spinners, and we’re workin’ wherever we go…”  Waterside community was stunning with its red sand beaches and many nesting herons in the marshlands. Ventured out to lighthouse at Cape Enrage…not hilly…much L…took in the many vistas of the Bay of Fundy, across to Nova Scotia, along cattle farms to Riverside-Albert where Tom tried to rob a bank, but it was closed…gots to love my boy! Inland return through Acadia forest along the pink NB Hwy 114 down to seaside Alma for the start of our seafood chowder, circle tour before evening rains. God I love the ocean!

Tom was leading???

Community of Waterside

Cape Enrage...ziplining...not!

If only the bank was open!

Monday, September 5, 2011

Love It!...Bicycle Visitor Info Center

Cool morning start after night rains but turned into a beautiful but very muggy 91 km ride with threatening clouds looming all day. Cruised provincial and endless national trail ways along both sides of St. John River. We cycled many canopied, fall-like, humid, jungle paths with gorgeous carpets of sprawling greenery and wild flowers. Picked up some good mud splashesJ JTom chased a squirrel that was scampering along a fence railing and then as Tom caught up, the squirrel did an amazing flying leap escape into a tree…very interesting! Crossed old CN railway walking bridge with a stop at Bicycle Visitor CenterJ and headed up Nashwaak and Gibson’s trails, to Boss Gibson’s Marysville, a 19^th century cotton mill town, now a National Historic site. Followed Lincoln route past UNB, one of the oldest public unis in North America, out onto the Trans Canada Trail route past airport en route to Oromocto. Beat the rains back to site where the river was flatter than glass with wonderful reflections of the trees and hillsides.

Trans Canada Trail

Squirrel Hunter in Waiting