THE FALLS

We are in NIAGARA FALLS ONTARIO, having a rest day today beside the mighty falls---they are something to see, that's for sure. We had a quick ride to FORT ERIE and arrived there early enough to take off on the bikes for some exploring. Kami really wanted to see HISTORIC FORT ERIE, and I agreed to go along, even though I think once you've seen one fort you've seen them all---big block structures, shaped like stars, with high walls and little slits to point guns or bows and arrows or whatever---marching grounds, barracks, artillery strewn haphazardly around. What else is there to see at a Fort? So, we started riding in that direction, but then were distracted by drumming and music along the way which turned out to be a POWWOW. I wanted to stop and watch the smoke dancing, so we pulled our bikes over and wandered around the powwow. I was looking for something to eat, and found "Indian Doughnuts", which were great. When I asked for a diet coke to go along with the doughnut, the man insisted that I have a "strawberry" instead. I asked what that was, and he said it was delicious, "It's the traditional drink of our people!" and I told him that Diet Coke is the traditional drink of *my* people! I ended up getting both!

We then rode over to the fort, where I was surprised to find that it is staffed by "re-enactors", people dressed in the regimental clothes of the War of 1812, I guess. With some wenches thrown in for good measure. Just as we were approaching the gates of the Fort, the woolen clad soldier, toting his musket, told us the Fort would be closing in 7 minutes. Kami was crestfallen! She made a beeline for the interior, and I scanned some exhibits on the uniforms of the War---and watched some of the re enactors. I won't write what I think about people dressing up like soldiers and pretending to be in a war at a historic fort, but feel free to ask me next time you see me....

The FALLS are breath taking, but we are totally unaccustomed to being around the hordes of people who are crowded in here for the three day weekend. They make it impossible to travel by bike, and are off-putting by their public behavior. We're ready to go back to the countryside and the small towns with friendly people.