NiagaraFalls

   The time came to move on again, but, on this stretch of my journey, I would have company. Day and I were both packing our bags and were driving to Niagara Falls to meet with chat friends. A very early start was made, our route all worked out, and we were expecting to be at the Falls by late afternoon. Stopping only for breakfast, where I had grits for the first time, and later for lunch, we were complimenting ourselves on the good time we were making. We spoke too soon!! By the afternoon, Day was looking very puzzled at the large buildings we were seeing. We should not have been near any large city. Feeling, well, knowing, that something was amiss, we pulled into a gas station to check our location. Downtown Toronto!! I saw this as another bonus and happily took photos while Day was consulting the map.Getting out of there was a mission in itself as we discovered my map reading abilities were sadly lacking. The numbers on the side of the road, which I was trying to follow on the map, were the speed signs, not the route #. Finally asking for directions, we were put on the right path and, about 2 hours later than expected, we pulled into the motel carpark.

    Our room was welcoming after the long drive, and after settling in, I checked as to who had already booked in. Discovering Theatre was in the motel, I went to see her. Knocking on the door several times, it was eventually opened to reveal Theatre..... a tiny woman, wearing scotty jamas....cute! After her long train journey, she had been napping. Try as I might, I just couldn't feel guilty for waking her!! After stooping (sorry T, I had to get that in) to hug Theatre and have a brief chat, I gave her my room number so she could join Day and I after she changed into street clothes. T, small in stature, large in heart and personality, and I met in TA and often enjoy a "debate" over varying issues, (I will presume that T enjoys them as much as I do.......lol..) I often thank chat for giving me the opportunity to form friendships with people, that, in the real world, would not happen. We probably would not have mixed in the same circles. Here, we have have no barriers, we chat unaware, and therefore uninfluenced, of age, race, disabilities, class (not meaning to sound a snob here) and appearance.

    The three of us decided to resist the temptation to go exploring the town, specially the Falls. Instead, we would wait for MrMike's arrival, knowing he wouldn't be far away. This also gave us all a chance to gather some energy for the coming weekend, we knew we would be needing it! Hearing a knock on the door, I answered it to see Carebabe and her husband, John. As asking the clerk what rooms Daydreamer, Theatre and Nzdonna were in would not have been a productive exercise they had resorted to driving around the car park. Spotting Ohio plates and, knowing I was coming from Ohio, they took a chance that it would be Day and I. Much relief for them when they were right. After hugs and introductions, (I was the only person Care knewl), they took a seat on the bed, and joined us in our wait for MrMike.

    Our small group enjoyed a lively conversation while waiting for MrMike and his wife, ShortStuffedBunny. I had long got past being amazed at how comfortable chat friends are with each other. Anyone wandering into that room would not have been blamed for thinking we were a group of long term "real life" friends. (I actually dislike that term, the cyber world is a very real world too.) From outside, the sound of voices was heard. MrMike and his wife, Bunny, had arrived. MrMike and I hugged and laughed, neither believing that we were finally meeting. This was the person responsible for my trip. He would be credited, or blamed, for my presence! Our friendship was another that was made while doing sounds, no wonder I promote sounds as an asset in chat.

    First on the agenda was to view the Falls. I was mesmerised! What a spectacular sight! The strength in the constantly cascading water, the roaring sound, the mist created by the spray. I never tired from just watching it. I decided that one day, Mike and I would visit the Falls together. He had to see this wonder of nature. One of the many treks to the Falls was to see the fireworks at night. T and I sat in the park, watching the fireworks as colours were played on the Falls. While I am a kid at heart and enjoyed the fireworks, I much prefer the Falls unadorned. Over the weekend, we wandered around the town and generally played at being tourist, which is of course, is what most of us were. Our walking was blamed, by Theatre, for her loss of height. This shrinkage was discovered one evening when T swore she was 5' but standing next to Day and Bunny, she was shorter than both, who are 5" and 4'11" respectively. Three vertically challenged ladies and me, towering above them all.

    During our wanderings, much to his delight, MrMike spotted a cigar shop.We all waited outside while he made his purchase and after some time, he emerged with a cigar so big that it lasted him two days!! Wind direction would be checked before we all shuffled into the best position to avoid the smell, teasing MrMike about it in the process. On this same walk, we approached the House of Horrors. Entering wasn't an option, we were all too old to be scared by anything like that!! Noticing a prop leaning against a doorway. I approached it, saying how handsome I thought "he" was when it lunged at me. I jumped, Day screamed, the others laughed, though from a safe distance. Oh yes, we sure did prove that we were beyond being scared by anything!!! The "prop" was kind enough to pose for a photo with me, but while I was supposed to look terrified, I was still (nervously) laughing from the scare he had given me.

    Feeling lucky, an undeserved feeling as it later turned out, we ventured into the casino. Here, I nearly lost my camera. A security guard threatened to confiscate it when I attempted to take a picture of the foyer. This is permitted in NZ, but, the Canadians, and I later found the Americans, do not allow this. Theatre was ready for her first experience of visiting a casino, one she took to like a duck to water! After setting a time and place to later meet, everyone went off in different directions to try their luck. T and I roamed together, clutching our quickly diminishing coins. With our funds depleted, we relaxed in the coffee shop to await our fellow gamblers, hoping they were having better luck than T and I had. They hadn't!