I arrived at the airport in Niagara Falls on Tuesday evening so that I could deliver the snow removal truck the first thing on Wednesday morning. The factory rep said that he would be there at 7:00 am and the fellow in charge of the maintenance department for the airport had said the same, as well as that their parking lot outside the secure area was always empty and that I was welcome to spend the night there.
I had expected to park there for the night and spend my evening just reading as I didn't think there would be any sort of entertainment there. Once I parked my rig I noticed a bit of neon light glowing through some trees across the street. I decided to wander over and see what the source of that light may be.
To my surprise and pleasure there was a bar there, right across the street from where I was to deliver. Well, not being one to pass up the opportunity to investigate a new watering hole I wandered inside. It started pouring down rain just as I walked in.
The place was rather interesting. There were numerous decorations on the walls, many of them depicting actors and actresses from bygone days. There was Marilyn, Bogie, he Stooges, The Marx Brothers, and many others. Very cool.
A number of people had been playing volleyball outside but rushed in when the heavy rain started, accompanied by some strong winds as well as lightening. It seems they hold volleyball tournaments there during the Summer months.
Being New York there was of course no indoor smoking, but they had a nice big canopy outside where one could sit or stand and enjoy a smoke while also enjoying one's adult beverage of choice. Despite the blowing rain many of us made ourselves at home out there, only getting a little damp in the process.
I wasn't surprised to be the only pipe smoker there.
It was an enjoyable evening, but I excused myself rather earlier as I knew I needed to be up in time to unload in the morning.
After delivery I found that dispatch hadn't yet found me a reload so I headed to the truck stop East of Buffalo, where I still remain. I was quite surprised to find that the truck stop restaurant actually has a smoking room. The waitress explained to me that if one cares to spend the exorbitant fees for state permits and to build an enclosed and ventilated smoking area that it was perfectly legal. She said the permits ran around $5,000. Sounds pretty typical for NY to me.
While I was eating dinner an older couple came in, locals, and sat at the counter across from me. The signs clearly state "Professional Drivers Only" but that didn't seem to be enforced. I really don't mind that as long as the place isn't so crowded with locals that the drivers can't get a seat (which it wasn't).
The gentleman, a rather smallish grey-haired and grey-bearded fellow pulled a bent Dr. Grabow out, already packed, and commenced to lighting it up. Naturally that caught my attention and I must have been staring a little, unaware of doing so.
He gave me a look that said "Like it or not I am smoking my pipe" but didn't say anything to me. I just gave him a slight nod of the head and continued eating.
After my meal I returned to my truck, grabbed a pipe case and tobacco, and went back inside. I was able to reclaim the same seat at the counter, opened my case, pulled out a Peterson, and packed it with some Squadron Leader.
The older gent watched me intently as I packed and lit my pipe. I then once again gave him a nod as I blew out the smoke from the final light and he grinned. We talked pipes and tobaccos for a while, his wife chiming in from time to time. From what I gathered she buys most of his pipes for him.
I had carried in my Bjarne Giant, nestled inside a Crown Royal bag, as I thought he may find it interesting. He did indeed and examined it very closely, asking how it smoked, etc. His wife also found the Danish pipe interesting.
Once the couple left I returned to my truck to read for a while before turning in for the night. I've spent all morning sitting in the smoking room drinking coffee, smoking, chatting with some fellow drivers, and waiting for a load out of here.
Could be worse, I suppose, but I am getting that itch and would like to get rolling again.