Silver mist enfolds naked trees, snow still blanketing the ground at their feet.
Dense, cold air heavy air.
Arrival.
We’ve been looking forward to meeting for months. Tonight, that moment finally arrived. It was so cool that you waited out the front for us in the cold: you really didn’t have to do that, but I know you were excited to see us.
It felt so good to see your smile, to say hi and have a great big hug. Meeting you and spending time with you has been fantastic.
It has confirmed everything I already knew about our friendship.
Your kindness, thoughtfulness and care for my comfort and happiness are way beyond the call of duty. I want for nothing here, you have made absolutely sure of that.
The only conclusion is that you are an absolute gem; you have a heart of gold, and I am blessed to be your best friend. I am a million percent richer for having you in my life.
Niagara Falls.
Absolutely magnificent.
Last night we saw the American side of the falls under low lighting.
That was breathtaking in itself.
Today I saw the falls from both the US and Canadian sides.
I saw the American side of the falls in weak, wintery sunshine. By the time I had crossed over into Canada via Rainbow Bridge, it was misty grey. It seemed like a different world altogether, where the falls had created their own ethereal atmosphere
There were still frozen sections of the falls because it’s still wintery even though it’s technically spring. There are icebergs in the river that flows over the falls. The spray from the falls is icy cold on your skin, then chillingly damp as it melts into hair and clothing. It is wetter than rain, colder than ice, but incredibly delicious for the soul.
I have dreamed of seeing the falls ever since the first time I saw them on TV.
Today, that dream became reality.
Words cannot express how it felt for me to be there and witness the power and majesty of the falls.
I left there feeling as though, in some way, a part of my soul had come home.
Made it! #2
I am in Niagara.
Oh my Lord.
Niagara Falls, here I come!
We are about to go to Niagara Falls to see them lit up at night. I am so excited.
7 miles away.
So very, very close to this dream becoming a reality.
Roadtripping #1
We’ve been in the States since Saturday and we have already been in California, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.
This afternoon we are on our way across the southern shore of Lake Erie toward Niagara Falls.. Niagara has long been one of my huge bucket list places and I am slightly overwhelmed at the thought of actually almost being there.
Rock and Roll.
Cleveland’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum is amazing.
It exhibits memorabilia, video, audio and documents relating to the history of rock and roll music from its roots in gospel, country, and rhythm and blues to modern icons like Springsteen and Madonna.
I thoroughly enjoyed my visit there today.
It’s definitely a highlight of my trip so far.
Keep right.
Learning to drive on the right hand side of the road has been easier than anticipated.
However, remembering to keep right on sidewalks and escalators and in supermarket aisles is much more challenging.
Megabus dos and don’ts.
The Megabus service is an efficient and very cheap way to get from the Rosa Parks Transit Centre in Detroit to Union Station, Chicago if you book well ahead. It cost $12US each for us to take the bus because I booked a couple of months ahead.
The bus has the suspension of a brick building, but you can overlook that if you are inclined to focus on the positives.
Clean bus, very polite and helpful staff, and some lovely scenery along the way.
Don’t rely on using that little bathroom at the back of the bus, though, unless you are short and thin with thighs strong enough to keep you on the potty while the bus is bouncing and shuddering.
Funny things I’ve heard in America #1
While waiting at a bus stop this morning for our ride to Chicago, a lady asked where we were from.
When I said we are from Australia, she asked if we all wear baskets of fruit on our heads.
I restrained myself and said as kindly as I could, “I think that might be Brazil.”
She said, Oh… its easy to get them mixed up. They’re so close.”
Really?
An Aussie Maple Leaf, adrift on the wind... 