Sabbatical Day 19

Catching up the last few day.  We made it to Toronto albeit about 8 hours late.  We were set to arrive at 9:30am but did not make it until about 5:30 pm.  It seemed to we passengers that the freight trains were more important west of Toronto.  We would have to pull onto a spur and wait for long freight trains.  Often we would wait for two long trains to pass before we could go on.  We are now east of Toronto and there are 3 and 4 pairs of tracks everywhere.  Therefore no need to pull onto a spur and wait.  Another difference is that on the tracks west of Toronto, we rarely did above 65 MPH.  On the track between Toronto and Montreal we are hitting speeds approaching 100 mph.  

Yesterday, we spent the day in Niagra Falls.  While I have been there many times, it is always beautiful and this was no exception.  We first visited Horseshoe Falls.  The we went to the Hornblower, the 

Canadian equivalent of the Maid of the Mist.  It was great.  Mist from the thounderous falls poured over us for the 2 minutes we floated in the "U" of Horseshoe falls.  The mist was so thick the visibility was almost nil.  Once we were out I could take picture again.  Even with the rain coats I was soaked.  

From there we were treated to a dinner at a hotel restataunt from which we could see both the American and Canadian falls.  It was a buffet and was it good.  Other stops included the "Whirlpool" and Niagra on the Lake.  I made friends with the bus driver who took me too the local pub.  Great beer.  I had a tall one while he watched as he could only drink water.  He was a good guy.  

Arrived back at the Part Hyatt at 9:00 pm and went to bed.

We woke up early this morning and after eating beak fast, headed for the the "Hop On/Hop Off" tour of Toronto.  Unfortunately for the first 1/2 of the tour we were down stairs on a double decker bus with standing room only.  Once we made it down town, the crowd had eased enough that we could move upstairs.  Beautiful city with Lot and Lots of Condominiums.  One was 75 or more stories high.  May had patios with trees and flowers going way into the air.  

Tonight, we are on a bus to Montreal where we will spend the next two nights.  Looking forward to the next three days.

God, 

For good friends and new friends and the opportunity to see your people, I give you thanks.

Amen.