Oct 12, 2012 - Big Finish--Niagara Falls from the top, the bottom, and the inside.

October 12, 2012-. Today is devoted to Niagara Falls itself, although we began the day at the Butterfly Conservancy. We walked around the tropical forest interior of the Conservancy where a large number of butterfly species are raised. Butterflies would land on our heads, on our hands, or flutter around us as we walked through. From there we drove down to the Maid of the Mist—this is the classic boat trip to the base of Niagara Falls where you experience the power of the falls and get wet in the bargain. I admit that the falls were pretty...

Oct 11, 2012 - Seeing everything but the Falls

October 11-Today was a bus tour that covered everything around the Niagara area but the falls. We started at Mount Carmel, a church dedicated to the Carmelite Order of nuns and their saint, St. Therise of Liseux, France. From there we drove around the falls area to see the lights and the dams and the hydroelectric generation stations around the falls. We learned that around midnight, after the lights go off, they cut the flow over the falls and divert the water to do hydroelectric generation. Then we went by the floral clock and then drove...

Oct 10, 2012 - Travelling to Canada and Rotating above the Falls

October 10, 2012-Today we move into Canada—about 150 miles from where we started. The trip was uneventful with two exceptions. But first I have to comment on the neat towns we passed through. Our route took us through several New York small towns with names I forget but cute houses and courthouses with well-maintained yards and flower gardens. And of course we had fall colors to look at as well. Wait a minute—I do remember one (because of my photos) Mount Morris. It was significant because it was the home of Francis Bellamy, who created the...

Aug 20, 2012 - Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls Day 22 August 19, 2012 By the time we drove our RV into our camp site in Niagara Falls, Ontario, we’d put in 410 miles—all on freeways! We crossed into Ontario at Port Huron, Michigan. The Canadian border official was thorough in his questions. He also told me that he only wanted “yes” or “no” answers! It seemed as though traffic was slow, so he took his time letting us through. After getting the RV set-up and having a quick dinner, we took the car in quest of “the falls.” We followed the traffic signs to “The Falls.” That...

Aug 11, 2012 - Camp Park Resort, Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada

This is our 4th Canadian Province to visit, we like it up here! ! ! ! An easy 55 mile drive took us further west on NY hwy 18 and across the northern most border crossing at Lewiston and to our destination RV park on the north side of the town Niagara Falls. By the time we got in line, to the time we got through, and on our way was exactly 1 hour. Whew! While stopped on the bridge, a Canadian asked us (jokingly) if they could use our restroom as they'd been in line for 2 hours already and they weren't even at the border check out! YIKES !...

Aug 11, 2012 - Day 27 - in Niagara Region

We spent this day touring the area. We went to Thorold and Welland and saw several locks in the Welland Canal. We watched a large ship get raised up the to next level at Lock #5 of the 8 locks. It is amazing how large the ship was and how well it filled the lock. We also went to a Holiday Rambler dealer in Smithville to get info on fixing our hydraulics problem. The leak we found in Winnipeg is still leaking although we can't figure out how there can be any fluid left. We put a pot under the leak everytime we stop and still some drips every...

Aug 10, 2012 - Day 26 - at Niagara Falls

We started our day with the Maid of the Mist boat tour to the base of the Falls. There was only a one boat wait (15 minutes). We have been happy that line-ups are short (even at Marineland yesterday). The day was cloudy, hot and muggy and then we put on blue plastic rain capes. Necessary but very sticky hot. The trip was awe-inspiring and amazing. The power of the Falls is very impressive. We spent the rest of the day touring all the shops in Clifton Hill. I particularly liked the Coke and Hershey's shops, especially the free fudge sample....

Aug 9, 2012 - Day 25 - at Marineland, Niagara Falls

Marineland gates open at 9:00 AM and Sandra is in the shower at 7:00 AM - she can't sleep. We go through the gates at 9:30 and spend the next hour watching the beluga whales tank. There were a dozen in the pool and interacting with the crowd, breaching, splashing and playing. Sandra was in heaven. There are family rides and a few adult rides at Marineland. The other three were going on the roller coaster, the Dragon Mountain, so I decided to try as well. I DON'T USUALLY GO ON THESE THINGS BECAUSE I DON'T LIKE MOTION, SPEED OR HEIGHTS. IT...

Aug 8, 2012 - Day 24 - Sunderland to Niagara Falls

Today is the big day. Going to Niagara Falls. We left Sunderland before 9 am by the back gate to avoid the overhead sign. Traffic increased rapidly, I can't imagine what it is like at a rush time. Got to Niagara Falls about 2 pm after stopping to have the bus washed at a Blue Beacon RV Wash. They do it for you at a wand wash station for about $80 with all the wax, rainX and taxes. So much easier than doing it ourselves. We got a campsite at Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park, open sites so TV works and Internet access so we can get everything...

Aug 3, 2012 - Niagara Falls, Ontario

We're celebrating Valerie’s birthday, and Savannah's 9th birthday early, in Niagara Falls, Ontario. It's a destination unlike any other we've seen on the trip. From the top of Skylon Tower (775' up) to the base of Horseshoe Falls (188' down), Niagara Falls is awe-inspiring. First things first…we all needed good showers! The last couple campsites had not been the best. Meanwhile, Savannah has many things picked out to do today; we might need to trim the list!! I know going to the Hersey factory is a top one. She also wants to make a wax...

Aug 2, 2012 - Toronto to Niagara Falls, Ontario

What an exciting day we spent in the beautiful Rouge Valley at the Toronto Zoo! The Toronto Zoo is Canada's premier zoo known for its interactive education and conservation activities. We were all excited! The kids had really wanted to stop on the way to Newfoundland, but I thought scheduling it for the way home would give them something to look forward to. It worked. We decided to see the zoo by breaking up into small groups (Lee and Chandler, Savannah and me and Heather, Erik and Gavin) and meeting up about every two hours. It worked out...

Jul 12, 2012 - The drive to Niagara

RV miles driven today: 242 Total Trip miles 2871 It was a long, but beautiful scenic drive along Highway 20 as we made our way to Niagara Falls. (Canadian side} We had hoped to stop in one of the picturesque little towns in the Finger Lakes, but just not always possible to find a place to park when you are in a house with wheels! Farms, vineyards, apple orchards and historic homes were the views of the day.