Day 56 Rest Day in St. Catherines, Ontario Canada
Today is a rest day and Hank and I are enjoying a leisurely day. We had coffee on the deck this morning next to Dave’s waterfall and pond. It was a delight to hear the water and observe the fish in the pond.
Today is a rest day and Hank and I are enjoying a leisurely day. We had coffee on the deck this morning next to Dave’s waterfall and pond. It was a delight to hear the water and observe the fish in the pond.
We could tell this was a real source of joy and pleasure for Dave.
Lilies on the pond. Just perfect beauty. Dave says he has had over 100 bloomes this summer.
Later we had breakfast with Dave. We had bacon and eggs, toast and coffee and orange juice. Hank and I wanted to get our baskets organized and our clean laundry back in order so we went back to camp in the morning as we have the celebration service this afternoon. I had also misplaced my cell phone so I needed to find it at camp.
When we arrived at camp, it was pretty quiet as a number of people had been billeted and others were heading to church across the street. I found my cell phone in my bike helmet exactly where I left it. I found it by having Terry Veldboom call my cell and I heard it ringing right next to where I was standing. I could hardly believe I found it so quickly.
After we got our things organized at camp, we went to Starbuck’s to access the internet via my wireless laptop as I needed to get some online banking done which I could not do at Dave’s home. The school had internet access, but not wireless. It is much easier for me, when I use my own laptop for online access as I have all my codes and websites saved on my computer and it is much easier to complete tasks than on someone else’s computer or at a library. We are very thankful when we can access unsecured wireless networks in the area when our own camp Internet satellite is not working. Being connected to our supporting community through the Internet has been a blessing and a very important part of this tour. We know how much everyone looks to find daily updates to see what is happening and how our day has gone.
When Hank and I came back to Dave’s home, he decided he would take a brief nap. It is that kind of lazy relaxing day.
Right now as I am typing this part of my blog at 1 pm, there is thunder in the distance and we are anxious that the celebration service and BBQ supper may get rained out. We are praying that the storm may move on and the sun come out again before 4 PM.
When we arrived at camp, it was pretty quiet as a number of people had been billeted and others were heading to church across the street. I found my cell phone in my bike helmet exactly where I left it. I found it by having Terry Veldboom call my cell and I heard it ringing right next to where I was standing. I could hardly believe I found it so quickly.
After we got our things organized at camp, we went to Starbuck’s to access the internet via my wireless laptop as I needed to get some online banking done which I could not do at Dave’s home. The school had internet access, but not wireless. It is much easier for me, when I use my own laptop for online access as I have all my codes and websites saved on my computer and it is much easier to complete tasks than on someone else’s computer or at a library. We are very thankful when we can access unsecured wireless networks in the area when our own camp Internet satellite is not working. Being connected to our supporting community through the Internet has been a blessing and a very important part of this tour. We know how much everyone looks to find daily updates to see what is happening and how our day has gone.
When Hank and I came back to Dave’s home, he decided he would take a brief nap. It is that kind of lazy relaxing day.
Right now as I am typing this part of my blog at 1 pm, there is thunder in the distance and we are anxious that the celebration service and BBQ supper may get rained out. We are praying that the storm may move on and the sun come out again before 4 PM.
At 230 we decided to head out to the service. It seemed it would be clearing up. We headed out to the QEW but noticed traffic was backed up so Dave decided to go up the escarpment and go over to Niagara Falls other than the expressway. We heard that some people were stuck on the highway 3 hours. On our way we ran into heavy rain and wondered how the service would go. We arrived at the service at about 345 and the rain was just drizzling. By the time the service started the sun started to come out and by the end the sky was clear. 
Hank showing off his bikers tan.
Hank showing off his bikers tan. Marg Elgersma, Hank and I and Heidi and George Elgersma
Brian Walsh was the keynote speaker and spoke to us about Fruitfulness and self-control as on of the gifts of the Spirit. He spoke on fruitfulness from the beginning of our lives to the end. He spoke of bearing witness for justice, ride miles on our solar powered machine for God’s kingdom. Riding a bike is a great opportunity to witness to cultivate fruits of the Spirit. We need to cultivate the gifts of the Spirit and we will be known by the fruits to display. We must be the change agents for the change we wish to see in the world. We need to meditate on the Spirit in order to bear its fruit, which must shape our character and lives. It was a challenging message.
After the service the churches from the area served supper. We had an opportunity to visit with lots of people. I saw lots of people I had not seen for a while. It was great to see so many people from different areas. St Thomas had a busload of people come for the service. I know people came from as far away as Newmarket and Kitchener, a 90-mile drive from Niagara Falls.
Friend Rick Jonjejan from Beamsville. Just returned from a trip to Alaska with his wife Ruth. 
Friends from Kitchener, Christiane Bos, Hank and Rosario Stronks and Keith and Joann Oosthoek.
Janet and John De Winter from Newmarket. I was Matron on honour in her wedding when I lived in Smiths Falls, Ontario.
George Elgersma and Peter Schaafsma getting caught up. 
Michael Schaafsm, her two sons, Joan and Peter Schaafsma friends from when I lived in Smiths Falls Ontario
Tomorrow we start the last week of the bike tour and cross the border back into the US. Hopefully it will go as smoothly as the crossing into Canada. The border officials already have a copy of all our passports and have had a chance to check each one of us before we come tomorrow. Pray that our crossing goes smoothly.
Tonight we are enjoying another night at Dave’s and watching the closing of the Olympics. As cyclists we really have not had a chance to view much of the Olympics. It strange to know so much is going on in the world and we are completely oblivious to these events in some ways when we are focused getting to the next nights camp. We are also aware there is a hurricane Fay in southern US and may affect us later in the week. We have only had 2 days of rain so far on this tour and feel blessed that our weather has been so sunny for so many days. It is much easier and more fun biking in the sun than in the rain.
Until tomorrow, Claire
Michael Schaafsm, her two sons, Joan and Peter Schaafsma friends from when I lived in Smiths Falls OntarioTomorrow we start the last week of the bike tour and cross the border back into the US. Hopefully it will go as smoothly as the crossing into Canada. The border officials already have a copy of all our passports and have had a chance to check each one of us before we come tomorrow. Pray that our crossing goes smoothly.
Tonight we are enjoying another night at Dave’s and watching the closing of the Olympics. As cyclists we really have not had a chance to view much of the Olympics. It strange to know so much is going on in the world and we are completely oblivious to these events in some ways when we are focused getting to the next nights camp. We are also aware there is a hurricane Fay in southern US and may affect us later in the week. We have only had 2 days of rain so far on this tour and feel blessed that our weather has been so sunny for so many days. It is much easier and more fun biking in the sun than in the rain.
Until tomorrow, Claire
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