We had a nice stay at our three story house in Niagara Falls, ON but this morning it was tome to move on down the road . . . and back into the USA!!!!

We had a seven mile pedal up river before we came to the bridge we would cross . . .

. . . a few more things to discover, like the stupa . . .

. . . the Niagara School of Horticulture . . .

. .  which had a VERY tidy facility and grounds . . .

. . . and a ‘flower clock’ they maintain. It was only 7:30am but the tour busses were already arriving . . .

. . . they say you can set your watch by it!!!!

. . . and there was the Whirlpool Falls which we biked around . . .

. . . from the other side you can see the first gondola crossing of the day.

. . . and for those who didn’t have enough stuff there was one more chance to shop at Souvenir City!!!!

. . . YIKES!!!!

. . . here was our passage back into the USA . . .

. . . as we rode over the bridge there were good views of the hydro plants on both the American and Canadian sides . . .

. . . and yes, at 8:00am there was a awaiting line to get back into the country!!!!

. . . not even a ‘Welcome to the United States’ sign or a “Welcome Home’ mention from the immigration folks . . . oh, well . . . .

. . . but  I did stop at this homey little place for a cinnamon bun and coffee!!!!

. . . and I am looking for the eastern version of this route!!!!

. . . puppy . . I wonder how D is doing in MSN????? Will she remember me after being gone for three months?????

. . . there is a BIG GM plant in Lockport and they are ready to celebrate everything American. BUY, BUY , BUY and help the economy!!!!

. . . we are also on the Tuscarora Indian Reservation . . .

which has LOTS of Smoke Shops and C-stores. I saw more C-stores in three miles I think than our whole time in Canada. Americans like convenience!!!!

A highlight today, and the next several, is was riding on the Erie Canal Trail . . .

. . . Lock 34 had a tour boat coming through as I passed over on a bridge.

. . . here is one of the ‘old locks’ . . .

. . . and the type of boat that  would prowl the canal!!!!

. . . Connie was ready for a nice, quiet, low traffic ride along the canal as we headed east out of Lockport . . .

. . . nice privately owned boats along the way . . .

. . . reminded me of France!!!!

. . . not sure what this structure is but it must have something to do with water flow. The gates can be raised and lowered . . .

. . . some very picturesque settings along the way . . .

. . . many of the little towns had these mini-lift bridges that would raise and lower to let boat traffic through. This one is raised.

. . . every once in a while you need to look down. I did and  and circled back to check this out . . .

. . . an army of ants heading across the path . . . they were VERY busy!!!!

. . . as I neared Middleport, our home for the night, I met Jason who was under a bridge having a little lunch. He has been out since June riding the four major trails in this area including the Eire, C&O, and the Allegany. He would be camping with us tonight in Middleport.

. . . and soon Middleport appeared around the next turn . . .

Nice camping along the river. No charge,  bathrooms and showers by the police station, and electric power . . .

I met Kelsey, whose owner Bob brought her over to a faucet for a little drink . . .

. . . an eight week old cutie. Very sweet with sharp little teeth. I miss my Daisy (and Smoochie too of course!!).