With a leisurely start I extended my motel stay and cycled toward Niagara. Small motels, pawn shops, and karate studios littered the highway on the way in, a part of America not seen on the usual tourist route. Only 15 km on an unloaded bicycle.
I spent much of the day wandering about the Niagara Falls State Park – the first state park in the nation, transformed from an industrial slum by the Free Niagara Movement.
So years ago at the beach Marnie and Ibought cheap beach sandals. I carried those light sandals with me on our for years. When my pair died, I acquired Marnie’s. When those died, I made a trip to the beach specifically to pick up another pair. Lightweight cheap sandals serve as a great secondary pair of shoes after a day of cycling. For the C&O last year I struggled to find a good replacement. For this trip I purchased high-end sandals from REI, heavier and much more expensive.
For the walk to the base of the American Falls, they give you a “free” pair of cheap sandals to wear so you don’t get your shoes wet.
Cycling back to the motel I paused to stock up for beginning the trip home. I’ll pack up tonight to leave before the heat kicks in. I made a reservation at the Lake Erie State park 100 km away. I had intended farther, but the Park is my best option.
