And Off We Went

Thursday was departure day from Waldenwoods for us. As is usual for us, I had planned a departure between 9 and 10, and we actually got on the road at 11! It had steadily rained all day Wednesday, which did hamper our efforts at packing up, but I will admit it was also the saying of good-byes that delayed us as well. Once we did get rolling (we remembered how to hitch up YAY!), we made Samantha angry with us right away (Samantha is the GPS voice) by going the opposite direction from what she wanted. I'm not sure why, but she wanted us to go south, then back up to Port Huron (our border crossing) instead of taking US23 up to Flint and then going across. Casey was restless as well, and we stopped a couple of times at rest areas to see if he needed a potty break. He was just being an idiot though :-). We were searched at the border, which chewed up some time as well (I have two theories on why we were pulled over, instead of the two RVs in front if us: 1. the only stamps in our passports were from our Africa trip in 2008 or 2. our RV is so nice that they wanted a look inside :-) ). All in all, we arrived at our destination, Niagara Falls Ontario, a bit later than I had hoped for, but at least we didn't have to set up in the dark.

Campgrounds here are expensive! As is everything else, as I'm finding out. We are staying at Campark Resorts on Lundy's Lane in Niagara Falls Ontario. I suppose you are paying for the convenience of being close to the falls. Its ok for a campground, but its very noisy from the road right outside, and there's a warehouse behind us with the trucks heading out quite early in the morning; no sleeping late here!

Niagara Falls has changed a lot from what we remember when we visited back in the mid-80s. The falls themselves are still spectacular, but the area is completely honky-tonk. I can't think of another word to describe it. As for being the honeymoon capital, boy, as I look at these motels alongside the road, I'm thinking you couldn't pay me to stay in one of them! The Clifton Hill area, just above the main falls area, is like Downtown Disney on steroids. But enough about that. On to the falls.

Friday we drove to the falls parking area ($18.00 to park!!) and went for a walk to view the falls.

Table Rock Visitor's Entrance

The American Falls. and the small Bridal Veil Falls at the extreme right. 

The Canadian Horseshoe Falls with the Maid of the Mist boat venturing into the torrent

Close-up view of the power of the water falling

Standing at the edge of Horseshoe Falls, as the water flows over the edge

The mist rises from the fury of the falls below

Seagulls hanging out on an island in the rapids

We then headed to the Dufferin Islands Nature Area to take a walk and have our lunch. It was much more peaceful here, The falls area was very crowded, with masses of visitors from all over the world. I can't imagine how busy it must be in the height of the summer season

It was quite peaceful here, walking along the paths with only ducks and geese for companions

"The troops are amassed and ready to go, sir; just give the signal!"

The whirlpool area of the gorge downriver from the falls. There's an aero car ride that goes across

A horticultural clock designed and crafted by the Botanical School

The Niagara River flowing into Lake Ontario to the north

Swimming in Lake Ontario, our fourth Great Lake, at Queen's Park in Niagara-on-the-Lake

Looking through the gazebo at Fort Niagara on the the New York side of Lake Ontario

Look close, the silhouette of Toronto on the horizon

Sailboat heading up the Niagara River past Fort Niagara

We passed through some beautiful farmland and several vineyards. This sign struck me funny, as I'm sure wine slushies would have been a big hit with adults in my parkstore this summer!

Thus ended our first day in Niagara Falls. Saturday we'll head south on the Niagara Parkway, visiting historic Fort Erie and learning about the War of 1812. Sunday we head back into the states...will be be searched again? Time will tell!