by Ryan Markiewicz | Oct 9, 2024 | Berlin's Wall
All,
I’m thinking that the Erie folks (and maybe others?) are getting bored by my reporting from places so close to home. Amish country yesterday. Ā Today, Niagara Falls.
Now, to be fair, even though many of us have been there dozens/hundreds of times, it is very cool. It is truly one of the Natural Wonders of the World.
We docked in Port Colborne, just across the lake from Buffalo. We then took a 45-minute bus ride to the falls. Ā The time on the bus reminded me of when I used to take my kids there when they were little, and I guess my Dad joke every time was telling the kids: “Did you know that more water goes over Niagara Falls every day than it takes for a family of four to take ten baths a day?” Ā Dumb joke, I know.
Funnier, I think though, was that when Melissa and Derek were young kids, as we crossed the Peace Bridge over the Niagara River, I’d do my best Chevy Chase imitation and exclaim, “Look kids, the NILE!!!”Ā And (though I’m sure they’ll deny it) they’d go, “WOW, REALLY? Ā THE NILE!!!” Dumbasses! š¤Ŗ
Here are some pics. Pretty spectacular place.
This is the whirlpool. It is where the Niagara River, having gone over the falls, hits a wall and spins counterclockwise from the force before heading down to Lake Ontario. These are Class 6 rapids. Not navigable (though there is a very cool Jetboat ride that takes you right up to them).
And this is a bit more of memory lane for me. This is the Lewiston Bridge that I used to drive trucks across from Buffalo to Canada after clearing them at Customs. A long time ago, but in retrospect, the start of my career in logistics. What a long, strange trip it’s been š
Onward!
by Ryan Markiewicz | Oct 8, 2024 | Berlin's Wall
All,
I’ve got to say that even though this is kind of our own backyard, this tour was far more interesting and enjoyable than I expected. Probably should not have been so surprised by that, I guess.
It was about an hour and a half ride from the Port of Cleveland to New Hope and Berlin, Ohio. Ā Much like Pennsylvania (and even New York, believe it or not), Ohio is largely a very rural state, with most of the land being forests and farms and fields, with a few cities. Pennsylvania (Penn’s Woods) was a place that welcomed all people/all religions. That freedom is what drew the Amish (Pennsylvania Dutch) from Europe. From there, the land just kind of extended into Ohio, so these states have the two largest Amish/Mennonite communities in America.
But while seeming very familiar to areas south of Erie, I must say that the economy here is much more thriving and seemingly wealthier than in Western PA. Not sure why, but there is a vibrancy and more beautiful homes that you don’t generally find in the Amish communities in our neck of the woods.
One thing too, is while there are still lots of horses and buggies as a way to get around, there are a lot more e-bikes here. Amish men, and Amish women scooting along the roads at a pretty fast clip. That may also be happening in PA, but I have not seen that much of it.
Anyway, it was a nice visit to a beautiful part of the country. We had lunch at the Dutch Village which was delicious. Family-style with huge portions of chicken and gravy, ham, roast beef, (real) mashed potatoes, stuffing, corn, rolls, and an incredible assortment of homemade pies. Ā Just what we all needed after having stuffed ourselves on the ship for the past 10 days hahahahaha.
On to Niagara Falls next. Another great place (right in our own backyard).
Pretty cool that while we won’t be able to see it, our Viking ship will pass right by our house sometime tonight š¤Ŗ
As you can see (for those of you who know Erie) the land looks very familiar
The Amish still use horses and buggies, and all the businesses, shops, and restaurants around here have hitching posts.
But lots of them now ride e-bikes to get around, and some even drive golf carts like this one
Can you tell why I felt at home here š
Kids on break at school. Amish children go to private school in one room school houses. From 1st grade to 8th grade, and that’s enough learning. Time to go to work full-time after that. Kids were clearly enjoying this summer weather that is lasting into October.
Passed this exit heading back to the boat. SO close to home. Enjoying this trip but also looking forward to be back in Erie in a week.
Onward!
by Ryan Markiewicz | Oct 7, 2024 | Berlin's Wall
All,
Yesterday, we visited Detroit, Michigan. Motor City. Motown. (And the home of Scott Frederick’s beloved Lions š).
Went to the Henry Ford museum. Lots of amazing stuff — the innovations of the past and possibly the future. It was a nice day and (though not a museum guy) a cool museum.
You know how I’ve said this trip has been interesting, though very “familiar.”Ā Well, now it gets even more so. Today we are in Cleveland, which is just an hour and a half from Erie. We come here fairly often.
We’re going to take a tour of Amish country. 1. Because although Hallie is not Amish, she is “Amishish,” having grown upĀ on a dirt road in rural Union City, PA named after her family with the few houses on the road all family members, and 2. Believe it or not, the Amish community they are taking us to is called Berlin, Ohio. So…had to do this. Tour had our name on it š Will let you know.
Also, they gave these out yesterday, which is a cool momento to have, but it seems a bit premature to me since we have not gotten to Lake Ontario (Toronto) quite yet. I bet there must be some old sailor quote similar to “don’t count your chickens before they hatch.”Ā I just hope it doesn’t jinx the cruise to celebrate this feat too soon š¤Ŗ.
Onward! -JB
by Ryan Markiewicz | Oct 3, 2024 | Berlin's Wall
I’d be remiss to take a Great Lakes cruise and not mention the Edmund Fitzgerald. Those of you old enough will know the story well. I doubt many of our younger friends have even ever heard of it.
The SS Edmund Fitzgerald was a Great Lakes freighter that sank in a severe storm on Lake Superior on November 10, 1975. The ship, which was one of the largest freighters operating on the Great Lakes at the time, tragically went down with all 29 crew members, and their bodies were never recovered.
The Fitzgerald had a storied career, but itās best known for the mysterious circumstances surrounding its sinking. On the night of the disaster, the ship encountered a powerful storm with winds reaching hurricane force and waves as high as 35 feet. Though the exact cause of the sinking remains unknown, several theories have been proposed, ranging from structural failure to flooding caused by hatch cover problems.
Gordon Lightfoot immortalized the shipās story in his ballad āThe Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald,ā which brought widespread attention to the tragedy. It remains one of the most famous shipwrecks in the history of the Great Lakes.
I guess being in the logistics business, it’s good for all of us to remember how the world moves and the dangers involved.
And here is the song (click the image below) – it’s worth the listen.
by Ryan Markiewicz | Sep 30, 2024 | Berlin's Wall
Well, though the trip has been nice, today is the first day that we got to see something that felt very different from everyday life*.
*Note: Derek made a very good point: He said, “Why would you think a Great Lakes cruise would be so different when you LIVE on one of the Great Lakes?”.Ā Good point š¤Ŗ
Duluth was nice but not so different from other small Great Lake port cities.
Lake Superior is BIG, but you really can’t tell how big. Ā Lake Erie is pretty big too.
Thunder Bay had a nice hiking trail, but it was not that different from Allegheny Park or the Adirondacks.
Silver Islet was kind of like a walk through Presque Isle.
All nice. Just not all that different from home/close to home.
But Mackinac Island was VERY different. A cool, unique place. No cars. Mostly horses and bicycles. Home to about 600 people year-round, but a beautiful summer/fall resort area. Famous for their Mackinac Island fudge (as good as advertised) and a beautiful piece of land that we took an 8 mile bike ride all around. And there is the world-famous Grand Hotel (with the longest porch in the world-660′ long), which is a pretty incredible place. It is very elegant and cool.
It’s a pretty remote place, but it’s worth visiting.
Here’s where we are on the map
This is the Arch Rock. Millions of years old.
These are the only taxis available on the island
And these are the only traffic jams
The Grand Hotel
Tonight we head for Algoma, Wisconsin (all I know about that is that it’s near Green Bay š¤Ŗ)
Onward!
by Ryan Markiewicz | Sep 28, 2024 | Berlin's Wall
Hereās where we are for Day 2.
Day 2 in Thunder Bay
Took off from Duluth yesterday.
As on all cruises, the first thing they do is to give everyone a safety briefing. These are important since (as we all know) sh*t happens sometimes, and itās good to be prepared. So, most guests pay some attention but not full attention since they are more excited than worried.
Iām guessing thatās why not too many folks laughed when the Safety Director gave the following instructions:
āIn case of emergency you will hear seven short blasts followed by a long blast.
When you hear that, no matter where you are on the ship, go directly to your muster station.Ā
Do not go back to your cabin. Do not look for your loved ones. They can always be replaced at a later dateā.
At least I thought that was funny as hell š¤Ŗ
Visiting some remote spots in Canada like Thunder Bay and Silver islet. Some cool history here. Mostly hiking through forests and relaxing.
Silver Inlet, for instance, has 250 residents. And that’s in the summer. In the winter, nine hardy folks stay here.
Welcome to Thunder Bay!
And here is our ship at anchor, from Silver Islet.
Just hoping I can get the Bills game on my iPad tomorrow night hahahahaha
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