no longer a "virgin"

Yesterday Bonnie, Angel and I began a four-day Volkssport bus trip to Niagara Falls. I think this is Angels first bus trip in a long time. She prefers to fly. And change continents.

Angel arrived at my place at 5 am, and we were picking Bonnie up 5:10. Then it was to Warminister we went. We did have a choice to be picked up in Qtown, but we wanted to sit together. Oh so we thought.

We arrived plenty early, and got seats together. Angel and I shared, and Bonnie was a cross the way, alone. It was maybe 6:55 and we were joking Bonnie didn't have to share. Then I saw a car speeding up the driveway. Shoot.

Bottom line, Bonnie was moved forward on the bus. We didn't get to sit together. We drove to Warminister for nothing.

First stop was in Binghamton. A city right over the New York border. We signed in and received directions on the bus, so it was off the bus and on the way. Binghamton is a nice town. They actually still have a Boscov's downtown! We we so busy be amazed about a department store downtown that we missed the street. We ended up shaving almost  a mile off the 10K.

After walking we signed in. Angel got to stamp her books for the first time. Not too exciting. But she'll have a half book done by the time we are done. We were also able to get vanilla ice cream at the Y's cafe. Huge amount for a buck eight.

Then back on the bus. They showed a PBS documentary on the falls. Pretty much it said that 75% of the falls power is being used to generate electric. So what you see is not what is really there. Worse, the Army Corp of Engineers have extensively modified the falls. So what you see isn't natural. I was so bummed. Turn the bus around, I want to go home! I'm only half kidding.

Finally we arrived in Niagara. What surprised me was how empty this town is. It's the week of Memorial Day and the town is dead.

After checking in, we decided to walk to Canada for dinner. (He didn't mention that only Indian restaurants in the US would be open. We counted seven.) The bus driver said Canada was to the left. Follow Rainbow Ave to the Rainbow bridge and you are there. Wrong.  If you follow the highway signs you arrive at the closed sidewalks. We had to backtrack, take the path toward the park, then follow the signs to Canada.

The view from the bridge was spectacular. But I kept thinking how much better it might be had the ACOE kept their dang hands off it. That documentary will haunt me.

Finally we are at the entrance to Canada. A line had formed so we waited somewhat patiently. The group in front of us had some issues getting in. Someone had a British passport. Oops.

We got thru with ease. And found a place to eat with a view of the falls. Dinner was interesting. Angel had eggplant and a salad. It was beautiful. Bonnie had a burger with a gluten free rolls. It was both messy and yummy. I had stir-fried veggies and pasta. Well, at least that's what I ordered. What arrived was a mound of spaghetti with what seemed like a quart of sauce. On top was half a grilled tomato. Around the sides were steamed broccoli, carrots and peppers. Very odd indeed. I was expecting sauteed veggies and pasta, with maybe EVOO or butter.

By the time we finished eating the lights were on the falls. Not nearly as spectacular as in the movie. Again, a little disappointed.

We climbed back up to the rainbow bridge and headed back to America. Where the Canadians were stoic, the American's were friendly and welcoming. He scanned my passport and it was off to the ext person in line. Angel says to the officer. Her passport doesn't have any stamps. Can you stamp it so she's not a virgin. He agreed.