Sept 23 Driving to Niagara Falls, Canada and the first day there

Temperature got to about 80 degrees.  Passed a restaurant called Quaker Steak and Lube.

So many semi truck drivers are a menace to interstate drivers.  We never saw a trooper giving any of them tickets for tailgating so close at 65 and 70 mph that it was scary, or passing on the left side and staying out there way too long.  Pennsylvania semi drivers were the worst we've seen in all the states.

Finished driving across Ohio as part of the 3 hour drive and then it was only about 45 miles across PA. to reach NY.   A few leaves have started to turn!  On the first toll road of the trip in NY.  Passed orchards, vineyards, wineries, farmland.

Sign on interstate:   It can wait.  Text stop 2 miles ahead

Buffalo, NY.  Beautiful old buildings with new ones mixed in.  Bridge:  Niagara River on the right and Lake Erie on the left.

Border patrol stations.  Some had sign saying guard spoke English and French.  Remember that Quebec and other areas of Canada are French.

Guard to Tom:  do you have a concealed carry permit?  Yes.  Do you have any weapons in the car?  No, I know better than to bring a weapon into Canada.  Repeated question a total of 3 times.  The last time asking if had any mace or pepper spray.

To Tom:  what was your occupation? (weird question) Where are you going?  Do you have any liquor in the car?

Arrived at the skyscraper Embassy Suites Hotel.  Tom upgraded our room to a suite on the 21st floor which looks out on both the American Falls and Canada's Horseshoe Falls.  These falls are estimated to be 12,000 years old, emptying from Lake Erie.  Now I know the Lake is huge and deep, but it still seems it would be empty by now!  It is amazing to watch the flow of the water out of the lake from our room.

                                                  We're on the Canadian side.  This is the
                                                   American Falls as viewed from our room!

                                          This is Canada's Horseshoe Falls from our room!

                                                          What a great shot, Tom!

                                                                    Buddhist temple

                                          We took the Wild Water Walk.  The water is green
                                          because 60 tons of minerals are swept over the falls
                                          each minute-shale, limestone, and sandstones.
                                          The water in this area ranges from 4-160 feet deep.
                                          Across this Niagara River is New York.  A small
                                          walkway for part of the way could be seen and a
                                          sign said it was in a state park.  It cost $13.50 per
                                          person to do this walk, but our fee was included in a
                                          tour we'll take tomorrow.

                                               At night with lights on Horseshoe Falls.

                                                 Great lighting on the American Falls!