Niagara Falls

(Written 08/06- published 08/08 when internet available)

99th St. and many futures ended here.

Today’s ride was 16 miles from Buffalo to Niagara Falls. Along the way I took a detour to the infamous Love Canal area of this town. This is where my wife was born and raised into her teens. The “no-man’s land” of ground zero is between 95th and 100th streets . Here is where Leslie went to primary school and splashed playground's puddles of toxic waste.

Looking N. from 101st street.

I recommend reading the article but here's my synopsis: In the early part of the 20^th century the Hooker Chemical Company disposed of extremely hazardous waste in the area. The land was poisoned, and worthless as a result. Hooker reluctantly sold it to the City of Niagara Falls for $1, clearly stating the hazards of the land. City Fathers then proceeded to develop it despite Hooker’s warning. Citizens for decades were experiencing serious health problems (33% of the population suffered chromosomal changes) and it was later revealed why. The “hot zone” was abandoned; our host lived on 97th St. and said her family and most others just left everything behind. It was bulldozed, "cleaned", buried, and remains fenced off to this day. Surrounding streets are abandoned with a few houses remaining. Three hundred houses nearby were “renovated” and re-sold with the new owner’s knowledge of the history. Some of those residents are experiencing health problems today. Leslie had to have a hysterectomy at 32, and her older sister died of ovarian cancer. One blessing came from this; to have a child, we adopted. Cherisse has made the greatest impact on so many in our family.

The place we are staying is a former Catholic church and school built by the Polish community. It was established at the turn of the 20^th century, and was sold by the Diocese to a private foundation that now uses it to support community. They gave us a home tonight, and serve the needs of many other charitable organizations as well as the general welfare of all around.

I pedaled to see the falls. Along the way I ran into Arron, and we proceeded to the “Cave of
the Wind” tour. Flip-flops and poncho are included for the $14 admission fee. Two elevators built in the 1920’s take tourists down to a cave dug out to the edge of the river to a wooden walkway. Eventually one can arrive at the Hurricane Deck which allows the slightest edge of the falls to cascade over those who choose. At times it is actually as pounding as a hurricane, and I took off my poncho to rinse off my smell, trading it for the smell of the river. It’s actually a lot of fun and a bargain if you don’t buy the
$32 photo package they force you to pose for in line.

Maybe I should have
stood on the railing.

After returning to our home a real shower was available, and then dinner for us and the rest of the community and visiting mission groups. As mentioned above, this isn’t for our sole benefit, but something that is continuous here. Everyone is having a lot of fun, with kids running around playing, while Kert, Kelly, and others fire the grill.

Really, even if you are familiar with the Love Canal tragedy, read the article.

Thank you for your support of the Fuller Center for Housing.