Day Four and Five (Buffalo and Niagara Falls)

One thing that I forgot to mention is that I am listening to audio books as I drive. Many months ago, I asked friends for suggestions on good non-fiction books within certain criteria, from which I created a master list. I also, of course, had books on my own to-listen-to list as well. Leslie thinks - and she is not completely wrong - that the real point of the trip is to listen to these books. I would not be doing this trip if it weren't for the audio books.

The first book of my trip was suggested by my most spot-on suggester, my book-loving Hilo friend Nancy Lundblad. It is called Dirt: The Erosion of Civilizations. Here is bit of the Amazon blurb summary: An engaging natural and cultural history of soil that sweeps from ancient civilizations to modern times, [it] explores the compelling idea that we are—and have long been—using up Earth's soil." My summary is: this needs to go on my "101 Reasons We Are Doomed" list.

I spent two days in Buffalo - mostly talking with my friend Susan and her wife Tandy, pictured below with their animal family.

I took a couple of walks with Susan and Radar, the lab, in different, pleasant places.

I had met Tandy once, but didn't really have a memory of her as it was probably 17 or so years ago. But I can say that it was a great pleasure - and the highlight of my time in Buffalo - to get to know her and find out about her life. She's an Assistant Principal at the City Honors School, which is an interesting 5-12th school.

Now, of course, it was also great and a highlight to spend time with Susan, who I have seen many times over the years, but usually in shorter spurts.  As I mentioned in my last blog, she is one of my ex-partners, and a complete sweetheart.  Me, I wasn't so great but she forgave me. More than once.  I was bad.  Moving on.  Since I mentioned Tandy's profession, I would like to proudly point out that Susan is a University of Buffalo History professor, who has written two wonderful books: Coming On Strong: Gender and Sexuality in 20th Century and Sexual Reckoning: Southern Girls in a TroublingAge.

Susan and I took one outing to City Hall, which has an observation tower to view the whole city. The picture of Susan is looking to the northeast, I think. The one below is to the south.

The building has a very cool art deco first floor. Just a few shots to give the sense of it. If you are an art deco fan - as I am - absolutely a must-visit if you come to the city.

And, then, time for Canada.  The line coming into America was about 50 cars long. The line going into Canada was 2 cars long. Just for those who might be interested, here was my conversation with the Border Services Officer.

Officer: Where do you live?

Me: Santa Cruz, California

Officer: Where are you coming from?

Me: Buffalo.

Officer: Is this a rental car?

Me: Yes

Officer: Where are you going?

Me: St. Catharines

Officer: What are you doing there?

Me: Seeing a friend.

Officer: How do you know her?

Me: She is the mother of a good friend in Hilo, Hawaii, where I live half-time.

Officer: How long are going going to stay there?

Me: Two days
Officer: Are you bringing anything into Canada that will stay here?
Me: Yes, a bottle of bourbon.

Officer: Then where are you going?

Me: To Detroit via the Canadian highway.
Officer: Have you been here before?
Me: Canada?
Officer: Yes.
Me: Yes

Officer: Welcome to Canada.

Me: Thank you.

I went to Niagara Falls where I spent $25 to park to see it, take pictures and videos. I was planning to stay 45 minutes. Not a great value, but I didn't have time to find cheap parking and I said to myself, "oh - damn it - what the hell: it's Niagara Falls!" (Anybody who knows me well, knows that this behavior was very unusual; I try never to pay for expensive parking.) I have been there before back in '88. But the memory was good enough to do it again, even at that price.

There is just something about the power and beauty of that water going over those cliffs... It is breathtaking.

And then it is fun to take a panorama, cause they are weird.  There is a glitch in it (my finger?) behind the boat.  Go ahead and click on it, and tell me what you think it looks like.  I want to know if people see what I see!

After Niagara Falls, I went off to see my sometimes bridge partner and fellow opera fan, Diane. She winters in Hilo with her daughter, Rachel. More about her family next blog.

I had troubles getting to Canada.  Leslie instructed me, sternly, to turn on airplane mode before I crossed into Canada or I might rack up charges I did not intend. But I didn't really plan well enough for that, it turned out. My maps weren't good enough. I had a not-very good map of the town of Niagara Falls, so I ended up wasting 30 minutes trying to find the QEW (Queen Elizabeth Way). I had written the directions from the QEW to Diane's house where I was heading. They were very bad instructions, and then I spent another 30 minutes trying to figure out where her street was. I asked a cop who had no idea, though the street is pretty damn long and big (and it was 4 blocks from where he was standing.) Anyway, I got there. And, of course, turns out that Diane had sent me perfectly fine directions, warning me that google gets it wrong. I missed that email.

I do consider my getting lost/ missing Diane's email another blunder and it's going on the list: 3 spilled drinks, embarrassing text screw-up, bad Canada preparation.