My last blog was very brief and didn't even include a photograph. I took only one on Saturday morning, from the top of the escarpment overlooking Hamilton and Lake Ontario, and include it here below.
We had a great time with Joel & Marsha and Alicia & Arie and 7 grandchildren in Kitchener, and include a few pictures of that. There's grandpa who decided to jump in the pool in his underwear, to the great delight of the kids. Next is Madeline, our youngest granddaughter, and a real live wire. Then the two birthday boys, Colin (left) son of Joel & Marsha, and Zander, son of Alicia & Arie, enjoying a cupcake.
The other event we celebrated on Saturday night was that Joel and Marsha's offer on a new home in Peterborough was accepted. It's a large home with a large fenced yard only half a kilometre from the school where Joel is now the principal, so very exciting for them.
On Sunday morning I preached in Kitchener and had the great privilege of baptizing our latest grandchild, Jonas Arthur Lise. I cannot include his picture because I don't have one. Unbelievable, I know, but Alicia has all the pics on her camera and will send them to me. I will include a couple of these when I get them. In any case, it was a real celebration of God's faithfulness from generation to generation. Many members of some of our first two congregations were present as well, and that made it even more special. Mom & Dad: Koos was there, but Theresa sent regrets.
Following the service we had a quick lunch at Alicia's place and then left for the celebration service in Niagara Falls. Because of bad traffic due to construction on QEW, we arrived just as the service began, and missed the rainfall they had for almost an hour. The picture below gives you a sense of the crowd there, but we suspect many people stayed home because of the weather.
Present at the service also, besides numerous St. Catharines and Georgetown and Willowdale people we knew, were Diane's brother Peter and wife Joan (pictured below), along with their daughter Michelle and her 2 children. Sadly, my brother Peter and wife Marja could not be present because of the sudden death of a young teen in their congregation.
On Sunday evening, Diane's brother Andrew and wife Ena picked us up. They live in Burlington, a 45 minute drive away, but invited us out for a delicious steak dinner at a place on the beach near their house, and we slept over at their renovated home. This morning, after picking up Tim Horton coffees, they drove us back to St. Catharines, and our last week of the tour began.
Arrivng in St. Catharines, we learned that we got mail again. Another letter from mom and dad (sorry about the rooster!), a card from Chris and Jeff, and a card for each of us, with a Starbucks card for each of us, from brother John and sister-inlaw Fran. Thanks, everyone!!
We left St. Catharines in good time, and the ride into Niagara Falls was mostly on a bike path. Along that path I took a few pictures of of the Niagara gorge.
In order to enter the US again, we met in a parking lot close to the Rainbow Bridge in Niagara Falls, a 31 km ride from St. Catharines, and crossed en masse in a separate lane reserved for us. US customs didn't even stop us, they simply waved us through. Unknowingly, I managed to smuggle in an orange, right under their noses! Oh, that orange tasted good later in the day. I didn't even feel guilty.
The weather today was uncharacteristic for this time of year. Although the sun is shining again. temperatures were cool all day, no higher than 70 degrees F, and tonight will be cold again, which means there will be little separating Diane and I in our cozy tent. We are staying in an RV park outside of Byron, and a big bonfire is planned for tonight. Everyone who has been on this tour since day 1 is talking about this being our last week and how quickly the time has gone. We intend to enjoy every last moment of this wonderful journey as much as we can.
Today's stats:
Distance: 126.60
Average speed: 23.7 kph
Maximum speed: 46.6 kph
Time in saddle: 5.19.27
# of flat tires on tour: 9
Today's ride was done mostly in large groups, just because we were all together to cross the border. Only near the end of the ride was I able to ride alone for a while and be a bit more relaxed.
5 comments:
Thanks for blogging so faithfully for the whole tour. A lot of us appreciate being able to 'ride along' on your journey. And the pics are great, too, but somehow, a photo of "grandpa in his underwear" doesn't sound like one that should be blogged! :) Stay safe for this final week!
Hi Boss (Bert) and Diane,
Sounds like you had a great weekend with family! We're faithful readers of your blog and enjoy 'riding along'. Joanne Bandstra and I were wondering if it pains you to pass up all those recyclable bottles/cans on the sides of the highways and byways (:
Enjoy your last week of riding and your last week of cooking for a crowd Diane.
Keep up the great work!
Carol, Lee and Emma
We had so much fun this weekend you mom and dad. Evan was devasted when he figured out as we drove away we weren't going to see you again that night and not sleeping over at Aric and Olivia's. Joel is back in Peterborough, it is the final stretch before we are all there. I am looking forward to seeing our house for the first time on Wednesday:) We continue to pray for both of you, safety and sanity. Love you, Marsha
Wow! One week (okay, four days now) to go! We love reading your blog and experiencing the journey through pictures and your stories! Enjoy the last week of your own amazing race :). We look forward to seeing you both and hearing more of your adventures!
Brian and Sandra
Hi Pastor Bert and Diane,
We hope you are having a wonderful last week on the tour.
I'm hoping you can do a big favor for me, I'm trying to get a hold of my Mom, but she has her cell phone turned off. It's not life and death urgent, I just need to ask her about something that has come up.
Thanks,
Michelle Mosey
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