We took a short trip to the Niagara region for the Thanksgiving long weekend with the hope of some outdoor activities.
A friend loaned us a 5-bike rack so Neil wouldn’t need to put a bike on the roof.Just made it to our accommodations. Yikes!This “piano” and the foosball table were thoroughly enjoyed by the kids.The next day was a bit rainy, so we went for a drive to see some sights. This is the Robert Moses Niagara Hydroelectric Power Station on the American side. Then the kids wanted to return to the Whirlpool Adventure course – they did the Kids course severals years ago. They’re getting their harnesses on.And getting their instructions.
Some highlights of the Classic Course – the easier adult course.
They then wanted to do the Extreme Course and Jump, which is only $10 more per person when you’ve already done the Classic Course. The Extreme Course is higher, windier, and significantly more challenging than the Classic Course.Looks a bit like a dance move 😂Neil and I enjoyed the views from the platform on the ground.From the course, it’s only a few minutes to the falls.American Falls.Canadian Falls.
I don’t know how I get talked into some of these things.The next day was balmy so we decided to bike along the Welland Canal, which connects Lake Ontario and Lake Erie. About 3,000 ships pass through the canals each year.Construction of the canal was begun in 1825. 8 locks were dug and constructed by hand, with the help of horse-drawn carts. A total of four Welland canals were built. Those yellow things on the left are Hands-Free Moorings, which uses vacuum pads to hold the ship instead of tying up.
Following is a series of pictures showing the ship approaching the lock. Click < or > to progress through the series.
The ship just fits in the lock. This is carrying iron ore, bound for Dofasco in Hamilton. We had to show proof of vaccination before entering the museum. Felix was allowed in.Continuing on our ride, we saw another ship making its way along the canal.It takes a ship about 11 hours to travel the length of the Welland Canal, which is 43 km long.
40 km of biking. Almost 5 hours. We bought freshly picked Mutsu (aka Crispin) and Gala apples from this stall along the drive home.Couldn’t wait to get them home, so we ate them under an apple tree 🙂
When we got back, we plugged the car in for free charing at the Laura Secord Estate, and walked home the last block. The kids decided to play at the park. Then this went off! Imagine being woken up by this siren at 3:30AM, which happened to us on our first night. This is a block from our stay in Queenston and is an air raid siren that calls the volunteer fire brigade into action. The device is actually to the left of the no Parking sign, in the clump of trees. You can just see the hood of the Model 7 siren peeking over the trees – the name comes from it having a 7 horsepower motor.That evening, we went for a walk in the neighbourhood. Private elevator down to the water.Nolan was at the house doing homework.Willowbank home built in the 1830s.GIANT leafSomeone has an espalier apple tree in their front yard. Felix said it looks two-dimensional.
Heading home after an eventful and fun Thanksgiving.
