Weekend wif host family:

I and an Australian cadet got to see a little of the countryside of Canada, though we often drove up to town for the attractions. Ottawa and St. Catherines is a nice area to visit, especially the biking trail which circles the entire town.

We got to visit the Niagara Falls at night (No fireworks that night though) and took a few pictures of the Falls lighting up at night. We even went into their Hydroelectric Power Plant for a live tour of the facility and how it operates. Construction of the first HEP plant started in 1932, a time when there was absolutely no adequate contruction equipment made to handle this herculean task. All equipment has to be designed and custom built specially for this purpose. The 2nd plant was built in the 1950s when civil engineering was advancing very rapidly by then.

Food and accomodations were totally provided for, obviously. It was pasta, roast meats and lots of conversation. My host's family had 4 acres of land behind their house which they converted into a mini garden for growing vegetables and fruits. We went up in a bucket truck to see the overview of his land. My comment was, "Spectacular!!". My host started a building project which was half way done when I came. It was a garage shed specially built for the winter. Walled Insulation and hot water tubes running beneath the floor would keep the garage warm.

The country folk were obviously very good with their hands. They made their own jam, grew some of their own vegetables, baked their own bread and pie. Sadly, it was time to say goodbye on Monday morning before we headed for Canada's Wonderland Theme Park. More on that next time~~~