TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2008

There is a place when you are driving northwest towards Niagara Falls on Route 17, that you pass through PA for short distance. Just before you come to that point you come upon a beautiful valley that opens up in front of you-suddenly, out of nowhere. It was exquisite this trip with all of the foliage in their autumn finery. You are only at a place where you can see it for about two minutes or so but it is breathtaking for those two minutes. I drove through there on a return trip from MI a few years ago and it was early morning. It was just as breathtaking as it was early morning, the sun was coming up and there was fog in a lot of the nooks and crannies of the mosaic in front of me.

It is one of those views that you know you just cannot capture with a camera. Although you can take wonderful pictures with wide angles, etc. there are just some scenes that you cannot capture-- the ahhhhhh moment. I felt that way in Death Valley and I feel that way in this spot in northwestern New York.

What is with this anyway? Cross the Canadian border and the speed limit becomes 100. Of course is it kph as opposed to mph and the conversion is simple-miles =6/10 of kilometers, hence 100 kph = 60 mph. But then you wake up in the morning and it is 11 degrees. And you get silly $1 nd $2 coins. Why can’t it all be the same? I don’t even care what it is, just make it all the same.

Speaking of crossing into Canada, I was all prepared for the usual long, long wait. But there I was at the Niagara Falls crossing, the only car at any of the booths. It was so empty. Border Person: Where do you live? MM: Bronx, NY. BP: Where are you going? MM: Mayville, MI. BP: Do you have anything in the car that you shouldn’t have? MM: No. BP: OK, go ahead. Crossing from Canada into MI: BP: Where are you going? MM: Mayville, MI. Where do you live? MM: Bronx, NY. BP: Did you stay in Canada last night? MM: Yes, in St.Catharine’s. BP: Show me some ID. MM handed over passport. BP looked at it, handed it back and said, “OK. Enjoy your day.” Wow. Homeland Security at its finest.