Thursday, August 15, 2013

Week 8 Basically

Also I had to use a library computer so I have a time limit here...  So if this is a bit hurried that's probably why.

And my mom says that I need to say that they are still alive.  So for those of you who were wondering if there was any reason they don't make it into these posts it's because they are normally posted before they arrive in camp to say what happened that day...  But she adamantly exclaims "They DO make it into camp!!".

I really would have liked to update this sooner but we have been staying in places not near wifi…  Today (Thursday) I might be able to bike to a library with a flashdrive (I love flashdrives for those of you who don’t know and a laugh for those that do) and post this online but maybe it won’t happen.  Also, all American people’s phones don’t work due to being in Canada so I can’t mooch of their plans either…  At the moment sitting in a camp chair in the shade eating Frito corn chips while others wait in line for the (singular) shower in the campground we are staying at tonight.  So we’ll see how many people don’t even bother taking one today and just jump in the nearby lake instead!  Also, I can’t remember what day I left off at in the last post.  So…

Over the weekend we stayed at Redeemer in Ancaster.  John Noordhof brought John, Joel, and Eric to Niagara Falls, we slept in the dorms/apartments, and we were fed by local churches.  Sunday night we had sack lunches for supper (John and Joel got “Tupperware Lunches” so we could keep the containers and for the chocolate bars that went along with them!) and were surprised at how well we ate.  Never underestimate what goodies (sometimes healthy) people can stuff into paper bags, grocery bags, and other such things!  Saturday’s ride was very relaxed and easy (only 50 miles) and mostly downhill (or at least it felt like it).

Thursday, August 15 – Kingston to Brockville
Today was a relatively short ride, only 52 miles.  But the day was lengthy due to most of us stopping at the Ivy Lea Cruise for a 1 hour boat tour of the St. Lawrence River at the 1000 Islands.  We had to be at the boat by 10:15 which gave us about 3 hours to bike ~30 miles and was easily done.  This morning I was forced to wear the tutu that has been working its way across Canada on the waists of various riders.  So today I did my 15 mile section of its trip before passing it off to Eric Versluis who was equally unexcited to wear it.  After the boat tour we hunted for our helmets in the tangle that the “security guards” put them in (as a prank) and then continued our bike ride along the river into Brockville.  Where we were greeted by a few trays of cookies, gummy worms, and watermelon!  I believe that Bethel CRC is providing supper for us tonight but they at least provided us with the ride end snacks.

Wednesday, August 14 – Trenton to Kingston
Before I forget, John and Tim (John’s riding partner) rode the entire distance (73? Miles) without ever touching the ground with their feet!  Which means that they didn’t stop at Lake on the Mount or at the church that welcomed us with cookies, cake, fruit, and various other goodies near mile 55.  But that sure is quite a feat nonetheless!  In addition, they along with a number of other cyclists committed to riding the entire day in one single gear.  Therefore they biked up and down hills while occasionally fighting the wind without shifting once.  I also did this but did stop at SAGs and the church.  We took a ferry across a river (John and Tim biked onto the ferry and held onto the rail to not touch the ground) and many of us put jackets on due to the wind on the water (which then we took off once we got back onto land).

Tuesday, August 13 – Ajax to Trenton
The best part(s) of the ride were the 3 churches on the route that came out and cheered us on with countless cookies, bars, candies (Canadian varieties nonetheless!), fruits, and whatnot else!  They were conveniently spaced about 15 miles apart from each other and were awesome places to sit down and chow!  If only we could have had this much tummy) support in the US we would all be gaining weight.  In Trenton we stayed at a small Christian school but ate inside!  What a difference it is to actually sit in a chair at a table while eating…  After supper we ate loads of pie and cake and such and some of us just fell asleep right away once we finished eating!

Monday, August 12 – Ancaster to Ajax

Today we early on rode for many miles through the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) which was made interesting by directions such as “keep the lake on your right”, various construction detours, and overall busy roads and traffic.  Towards the end of the ride John Noordhof, Bonita, and Joel stopped at a Tim Horton’s for John’s birthday and to initiate Joel into being a tourist in Canada…  I think McKenzies and Sweetwaters are just as good if not a little cheaper as well.  In one spot near a public beach a family (somehow related to someone on the tour) provided us with drumsticks (the ice cream cone things) as a SAG and it was probably most people’s favorite today!  At our destination Crossroads CRC welcomed us with popcorn, snow cones, and ice cream!  Churches around here sure do know how to make us feel welcome!
Me in the tutu...
Our campground Wednesday night in Kingston
Picture of John Noordhof, John, Eric, and me at Niagara Falls
Just to show we always go uphill!
 Skylon Tower near Niagara
 Niagara Falls on the Canadian side
 Also on the Canadian side
 A "Nookshook" (unknown spelling).  A common Canadian direction helper sort of thing.  Its arms point parallel to the body of water nearby.  Perhaps it has some other unknown properties as well?
Boldt Castle (or part of) in 1000 Islands on the St. Lawrence River 
Another part of Boldt Castle...  It's a pretty big castle but was hidden by trees so I only got pictures of some of its extremities...

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