For the next two weeks, I made myself familiar with Beecher Falls.

I began writing letters to my father and mother and; of course, Samantha. I seemed to have "struck a cord" with the locals. Everyone was friendly, nice, willing to give you the shirt off their back, and just genuinely interested in helping if they could lend a hand.

I even met the Mayor and local politicians on the town council. Beecher Falls may have been small, but the people there were a tight-knit group. The Coors brewing company at one time had a small brewing operation in Beecher Falls, but it was now gone. Since I was so close to New Hampshire, I found a local pub to frequent.

The Rainbow Grille and Tavern became a place that I would visit for lunch and dinner and I also found respite in the Outback Pub. The locals were friendly, and typically I spent less than twenty bucks for a nite out. Friendly enough that if the bar was not to full, a round of drinks would be purchased by one of the locals.

I decided on the Friday before I would start work at the Balsams to go over into Canada. I had been smart enough to get my passport before beginning my journey, knowing that I would be so close to the Canadian border.

Friday morning I drove over into Canada and saw Niagara Falls. I did the short tour and went under the falls even though the weather was nearly unbearable.Icicles hung from the falls in gargantuan proportions. It was beautiful, but I was thankful to have my North Face jacket and a toboggan on.

I decided I would spend a few days in Canada. It would be a world away from Beecher Falls, but I knew I would find something to complete my journey into the unknown on these two days.