Driving in Niagara
I believe there is a spot near Fonthill where one can see both Lake Ontario and Lake Erie, simply by turning south and then north, respectively. I realized this last week, as I drove up the long, slow hill up and saw Lake Ontario glittering in the rearview mirror. Then, moments later, at the hilltop, there was Lake Erie in the hazy distance to the south
Niagara continues to surprise me with its odd corners and geography. I mean, obviously there's Niagara Falls, and the Niagara Escarpment that slices the region into an upper and lower level. And there's the glorious crumbling 19th century engineering triumphs of the various Welland Canals and lock system. Also notable is the Short Hills district, a relatively small area of low, steep hills and valleys. I had no idea this area existed before I started working here.
My last day in Thorold, I took a sudden sidetrip on the way to work. I had a few extra minutes, so I followed Effingham Road up the escarpment. It led me past enormous country estates nestled in green valleys and thickly wooded lots. I found Agape Valley, a place I've been curious about for a few months. It was a beautiful drive - curving two lane country road, trees and green hedges and fall wildflowers everywhere, and the scent of earth and the sound of crickets. I poked about here for a while, then asked the GPS for the quickest route back to work.
It directed me to Sulphur Springs Rd. "Oh," I thought, "That looks nice." The road quickly turned into a very narrow single lane track, barely paved.
A steep hill was on my right, and a flowing stream to the left. (Reversed in this photo, as I was looking backwards.)
I parked and listened. Nothing but birdsong. I was a stone's throw from Thorold and St. Catharines and a huge university campus. But there were no cars, no people. I drove on.
The road degraded. It become so narrow there would be no way to make room for another car, if it were to appear. It seems to be made of beaten earth covered with a few bits of gravel.
Sometimes, I seemed to be driving straight up. There was a whole network of these roads, with a house here and there. Some were grand old manors, some were little cottages.
I think I will go back and explore. :D
Niagara continues to surprise me with its odd corners and geography. I mean, obviously there's Niagara Falls, and the Niagara Escarpment that slices the region into an upper and lower level. And there's the glorious crumbling 19th century engineering triumphs of the various Welland Canals and lock system. Also notable is the Short Hills district, a relatively small area of low, steep hills and valleys. I had no idea this area existed before I started working here.
My last day in Thorold, I took a sudden sidetrip on the way to work. I had a few extra minutes, so I followed Effingham Road up the escarpment. It led me past enormous country estates nestled in green valleys and thickly wooded lots. I found Agape Valley, a place I've been curious about for a few months. It was a beautiful drive - curving two lane country road, trees and green hedges and fall wildflowers everywhere, and the scent of earth and the sound of crickets. I poked about here for a while, then asked the GPS for the quickest route back to work.
It directed me to Sulphur Springs Rd. "Oh," I thought, "That looks nice." The road quickly turned into a very narrow single lane track, barely paved.
A steep hill was on my right, and a flowing stream to the left. (Reversed in this photo, as I was looking backwards.)
I parked and listened. Nothing but birdsong. I was a stone's throw from Thorold and St. Catharines and a huge university campus. But there were no cars, no people. I drove on.
The road degraded. It become so narrow there would be no way to make room for another car, if it were to appear. It seems to be made of beaten earth covered with a few bits of gravel.
Sometimes, I seemed to be driving straight up. There was a whole network of these roads, with a house here and there. Some were grand old manors, some were little cottages.
I think I will go back and explore. :D