Bykered

Here are some more notes about Sunday Morning; For the offering two ushers stood at the front and everyone filed by, put in their gifts. Later at a sort of invitation near the close of the message a young mother, who appeared Hispanic, came forward. The pastor came down and met her. He announced that she wants to become part of the church. Everyone was invited to come forward and welcome here. Both this and the offering took quite a while as nearly the entire congregation of about 200 came by.
Near the beginning of the pastor’s message somebody’s cell phone began ringing and all heads turned our direction. Ed had a difficult time getting it out of his pocket. The pastor very humorously said he hoped it was a call from God. All laughed, even Ed. Miriam quickly placed ours on vibrate. Longenecker’s kids were calling to wish Rhoda a Happy Mother’s Day not realizing that this service went well past twelve.

Monday 14. We had a good warm night with the extra covers and the heater. It is cloudy and breezy this morning with some slight possibility of rain. It is not quite as cold out as last night. There was no frost here.
We had Miriam’s delicious pancakes for breakfast. A street address in Hamburg, NY was nailed down for a place to meet this afternoon, so that is more definite than we planned last night. E&R were on the road by 8:10. It appears we will cross into Canada tomorrow.
I went onto the Internet again and found a note from Arlene with directions to get to their place. I also sent some photos along with the latest report.
We unhooked and pulled out at 10:15. We passed E&R about eleven and soon after that found a Wal*Mart Supercenter and got our groceries and then had lunch.
We arrived at Hamburg about 1:30. A policeman directed us to a fire station because he said the corner of Scott & Pleasant was not a good place. We called E&R several times but there was no answer – weird. We napped and then Miriam thought we ought to drive one block to that corner to see if they might be there. There they were having only arrived two minutes before.
Earlier today we came to a detour on route five and followed it. We both wondered what the bikers would do with it. They decided to chance it. They asked the workman at the beginning of the bridge construction site where the bridge was being replaced if they may go through because it was a long way back around. That man radioed ahead to those at the bridge and they were told to come on. It was a deep gulch and two workmen picked up the bike and carried it over. Phew! Many miles were saved.
They decided they were not going to ride any further but drive to the bike museum. About that time a lady pulled up in a mini van and asked if we need help. We told her what we were doing. She invited us in for a belated mother’s day celebration at this Adult Day Care Center. That triggered conversation when we told her that Ed had just recently retired as CEO of an adult day care center plus. She then reported that she is the CEO of this place. Next she insisted we come in for the festivities. We parked and did so. The facilities are in an old railroad station and done ever so creative. Shirley’s office is in an old railroad passenger car. It is all so very lovely. She and Ed shared about each other’s facilities and programs. It was an unbelievable connection. We made a friend. Then we were served delicious cake and coffee.
From there we drove some eight miles to the Bicycle Museum in Orchard Park, NY. We must have been in there over an hour. It truly is a history of bikes. The man has an enormous collection of old bikes of all sorts, many very valuable.
When we finished we chatted with him about where we might find a campground for the night. He admitted there were none nearby as we had thought. He spoke of shopping centers. After Ed came back in the MH we talked about staying right in his lot. Ed went back and asked, and he quickly agreed and said we could hook up to his water. Later when he was leaving he told us to use the electric. Wow. We have nearly everything.
Tonight Miriam made the most awesome beef vegetable soup, the best I’ve ever eaten. It was just wonderful. Everyone raved about it. Then for desert she made frozen mixed berries with vanilla yogurt on it, great too.
Ed discovered that some how the only problem with his phone today was that it got turned off and needed to be re-programmed. We feel so dependent on our phones to stay in touch.
It was a major job tonight trying to locate and define the address of a campground in Ontario. Ed called the campground several times for directions.
It warmed up considerably this evening but put down a few drops one time. It appears there may be more tomorrow.

Tuesday 16. This was one of the quietest nights ever. We got up at 6:30. Miriam made a nice omelet with green peppers, cheese, potatoes and onions. We also had toast.
The Bicycle museum owner came by about 8:30 just as we were unhooking to leave. He gave us directions to get to the Peace Bridge to cross into Canada. They had decided to drive there instead of biking.
On the other side we stopped at the welcome Center and the folks there were most helpful and knowledgeable. Soon the horse was out of its stall and on the road to a very windy morning.
We cruised slowly up the parkway along the Niagara River. What a lovely drive. It was nice to see this great falls again – albeit from the RV in passing. The crowds were light. We did stop in the lot where the cable car crosses the rapids and eat our lunch. There we met about eight bikers and had a nice time chatting with them. They will look forward to meeting E&R along the way.
We pulled into the Shalamar campground at 12:15. It is not the greatest except for the price of nearly $52. It is not likely more than $40 US. Later Miriam discovered that they charge one dollar for a five minute shower, not a quarter as at one place in the US. When she gave the woman ten US dollars she would only give ten dollars Canada, claiming there is no exchange rate. I doubt that.
The Longeneckers returned at 4:30 having had a great day leisurely biking only 35 miles today, stopping and enjoying the sights along the falls. They were awed by the sight, thunderous sound and feel of those mighty waters – what power. Before the falls the water is right up almost at touchable level. Then there is the great plunge, after which the water is now broiling and churning way below and rushing down the gorges in a mighty torrent in its now confined space. They were amazed at the depth of the gorge. Then soon there were the enormous Electric power plants on both the US and Canadian sides. This is one of the greatest electrical power sources in the nation or perhaps the world. Ah, the marvels of God’s great creation.
E&R had a pleasant surprise near the falls. Some other bikers rode up to them and seemingly out of the blue said, “Are you Ed and Rhoda?” These were the folks Miriam and I had met and conversed with earlier. It is amazing when you are out where you don’t believe anyone knows you to have someone call your name.
In the showers Ed had the same experience I did. There were 5 showers and the three center ones were closed for repairs. I took the left one and after putting in my Loony (the Canadian dollar with a Loon on it) waited, and waited, and waited, and waited for it to get warm. Finally in desperation I took it cold … well perhaps the worst chill was gone. Just as I was all soaped up it quit and I had no more Loonies. So I toweled off as is. Ed first tried the shower on the right as I suggested but it would not even take the loony. So he too was stuck with the same one I had. Now when we pass gas we blow soap bubbles. The ladies had nice warm water – lucky gals.
After supper on the picnic table on a very pleasant evening we worked at where to camp tomorrow night. There is not a campground for many miles so we’ll plan to boon-dock again, this time in Ancaster perhaps with our (Miriam and I) friends Archie & Ursula Harms if they have a place to park at their home. After the dishes were cleared, the horse lubed, curried downed and in his stall we decided to play Rummikub on the picnic table. Even as we ate supper there was the rumble of distant thunder. We got at least three games in before the drops started falling. But that didn’t stop us we merely moved indoors. Miriam won many games tonight and Rhoda and Ed a few too. I just can’t pull it off. My job is to keep the others honest. It was ten when we quit and hit the sack to the steadily falling rain. It is so pleasant a sound to go to sleep on and