Our hosts last night were Sandra and Randall:
Randall worked for over 30 years as an air traffic controller at Toronto International (Pearson) Airport. He is retired now and lives with his wife in a lovely home outside of Niagara-on-the-Lake. Behind his house is a beautifully appointed renovated barn where the four of us slept.
In the morning, Sandra had prepared a hearty breakfast for us:
It had been a chilly night with a hard frost. Peter and Matthew got ready with me to walk — they had made this plan some time ago. Russ drove us to the pick-up point yesterday and we took a couple of pictures before getting started:
We couldn’t resist making a quick trip (five minutes away) to an excellent viewing spot for the falls:
Then we turned up into town and saw some typically Canadian scenes:
Sheesh! But only in Canada will you find this kind of of kabob:
This is a sluice that skirts the falls and dumps into a reservoir; I’m not sure of the dynamics:
Here are two shots of us passing over the Queen Elizabeth Way, the main route to Toronto, as is visible in the second shot:
The day was beautiful but cold; here are a couple of road shots:
and a beautiful willow tree:
At one point my boys had to rest their backs; I guess I was walking them too hard:
We frequently saw high-tension electric lines, due to our proximity to all that hydroelectric power:
After a few hours of walking, Russ showed up with some hamburgers:
We were close to an important historical site related to the War of 1812:
After lunch, Matthew took the car and Russ walked with us for an hour or two:
One of the first things we had to do was walk under the Welland Canal:
It wasn’t long before we entered the town of St. Catharines:
In this picture, right about the center, it is possible to make out the tall buildings of Toronto across the lake!
At one point Matthew drove by, blasting a Yes song out the window:
When the three of them couldn’t stand the hardship of walking any more, we all met in front of a Canadian Tire and they left for the comforts of their houses in Toronto, while I slogged in with my little cart for another few miles, with relatively constant suburban scenery like this:
The sun was setting an hour earlier today, of course, so when I got to a Tim Horton’s (always an easy task in Canada) I called my niece, Islay (pronounced EYE-la). Her boyfriend’s parents had offered to put me up for the night, so Islay and Sandy came over to Timmy’s. Just before they arrived, my nephew Jordan and his wife Stacey pulled up in the parking lot and came over to greet me:
This was very disorienting as Jordan and Stacey life an hour away. It turned out that they had been at a wedding in Syracuse and realized on their way home that they would be passing reasonably close to me. By using the SIGHTINGS tab on my website they had tracked me down — totally awesome!
Islay and Sandy arrived soon afterwards and whisked me away to Rick and Kai’s house where I was invited in with deep Canadian hospitality. Rick is a retired private high school teacher and Kai works as a physiotherapist. Islay works in the kitchen of a local high-end restaurant and Sandy is an artist. Here they all are, standing in front of one of Sandy’s paintings (the dog is Frankie):
I’m hoping to arrive at my destination in Toronto on Saturday, which means that I will just have to do a week’s worth of 13-mile days, so I’m very much looking forward to the somewhat less frantic pace this week.
Geez Doc,
13 miles a day? Thats going to feel like a mere walk around the block compared to what you have been doing for the last week…. I betcha going to have to fight the temptation to not shut it down and just keep pressing on for ohhh another 5 miles.. But good for you … We shall endeavor to keep on keeping following this wonderful adventure… Maybe you are home on Sunday for chapel? Or you going to stay there for a day or two and then come home.. Any how, whatever way YOU want to work it. We miss you, and look forward to seeing you again… In the mean time.. Press on.. Oh yes, I found it fascinating how the old man was pounding away, and here were the young bucks struggling… Shows how much you are now in shape.. Just walking… God bless you my brother. And praying for safe travels.. JIM Love it! 🙂
13 miles is still a bit of work! I expect I will stay in Toronto for a few days, especially to visit with my mother.
Congratulations on making it into Canada!! Must have been nice to have some company for the day, unless you have gotten use to being alone? Nice pics of the falls, I have to get back to see them in person again. Keep on walkin’!!
It was indeed nice to have company — a very different sort of day.
Apart from tiring us all out with your frenetic walking routine, it was a wonderful day of adventure. Glad to have shared it with you.
Russell
Me frenetic? Compared to you I’m a slug, Russ!
A great post! What, no class 2 vests for your sons? I would make that a manditory requirement for anyone who wants to join you on your walk. Was there any temptation to go over the falls in your tote?
Now THAT would have been spectacular. Alas, no temptation.
Greetings Allan,
What a great milestone to cross the border over the Rainbow Bridge!
How was your climb up Burleigh Hill Drive? Maybe you were in such good shape by then that you hardly noticed the steep hill.
YES? That sounds like Tom B.
Stay safe. God bless.
I think we were going down at that point, John, though I don’t recall. Hills are mostly easy; it’s just the really steep ones that require some effort, up OR down. Tom B. — blast from the past!
Well done Allan!! Really enjoyed seeing the pictures with your guys and Russ…
Will have to celebrate when you get home!
Laura
For me it will be a celebration just to BE home again, among my friends.
What a wonderful day Big Al!!! After trudging through the driving rain, the treats awaiting you on this side of the line that divides us were worth striving for!! I LOVE the fact that Jordan and Stacey were able to shock you!! That was really terrific!! Then of course the reunion with your boys and comrade…and the refuge offered by Islay and friends! It simply doesn’t get better!! I think the verse which says ‘give hospitality to strangers’ must have substantial meaning to you now!
… and your sweet gift, as well, Omelette. Yes, I’ve thought a lot about that verse. The cumulative effect of all the hospitality I’ve experienced on this trip is overwhelming.
Wow Allan what a thrilling day to see Russell and Peter and Mathew and enjoy walking with them and spending time with them! Brought tears to my eyes as I read your adventures! Praying for you as to continue your walk! You made it to Canada 🙂 CONGRATULATIONS !! I just love your pictures and daily journals!
God bless.
Nancy
Thanks for the congrats, Nancy. I’m so glad you are along for the ride. Give my love to your dear hubby.
So in the picture of you and the boys before you set out to walk, I was thinking…they don’t look quite as prepared as Allan…and then the pics of them taking a break and then being picked up to go home…such amatures!!! Hahaha…just kidding! That must have been cool to have family walking along with you and all of those people just “stopping” by to greet you and bring food! Have a wonderful last few days. I wonder if this is becoming bitter-sweet for you – looking forward to the end but yet your adventure is over?
I don’t think so, Cheryl — I’m looking forward to reaching my goal, rejoining my family and friends and getting back to “normal” life. I really admire those guys I mentioned in my Motivation post who go months and years doing this, but I don’t think I could do it. Bilbo made it back to the shire and was content, after all.
You are in the homestretch now! It was so great you had Pete and Matt to walk wih you on part of your amazing journey, even though they conked out before you did. The Lord has certainly put some wonderful people in your path and you have made many new friends. Keep on truckin’ brother!
Beverly
Actually I think they were just pretending to conk out, making the old man feel better. Thanks again for all your prayers.
Hurray for being in Canada! I have to admit I got weepy just reading the end of your day 25 post, so I can imagine you felt that way actually living it! So awesome to see the 4 of you together in those pictures, and it must have been fun walking for a ways with the guys. Praying that this last week of your journey is a good one, and that you don’t get too cold! While I’m excited for you to reach your goal, I’m going to miss reading your adventure, you’ve told the story so well!
It was a very fun day; quite different than walking alone. It sort of felt like when you take a walk with family on a Sunday afternoon after a nice meal. I didn’t have the same feeling of purpose as usual. I don’t think it will get too cold before I’m done. Yesterday with Russ and the boys was the coldest yet. Thanks for your prayers.
Awesome pics of the falls and it was so awesome to have your bro-in-law and sons come walk with you a bit. Ruthie was saying today that she would like to walk to her grandmother’s house in PA…of course that’s only 50 miles and I don’t know when we would have time but you are definitely inspiring others! See you when you get back to NJ.
YES!!! GO RUTHIE! You can do it! Do it in 5-mile chunks and go home for a few days or a week between each chunk. Ruthie, you are the BOMB!
Thanks, Bev, and especially for your prayers.