Jun 12, 2013 - Playing Tourist at Niagara Falls

A Niagara falls and Buffalo Military Park and Museum tourist day! See photos. We also enjoyed a late lunch/early dinner at the least odd-looking restaurant in town, the Town Café in Grand Island. WOW, what a great surprise! We had the soup and salad bar, along with amazingly tasty and huge servings of haddock and potatoes!

Jun 11, 2013 - To Niagara Falls, NY, and some sightseeing in store!

Today's short 2 hour drive turned into something just over 3 hours because we were trying to avoid some of the toll roads. It was beautiful as we left Westfield and drove through the small townships with their old buildings and quaint, small town looks...a delightful decision, to that point. We realized too late that we should have moved over to the toll road as we got close to Buffalo. The first indicator was when we found ourselves on a small town road with only 2 inches in height to spare to get under a railroad underpass. Ooops...got...

Dec 27, 2012 - Niagara Falls

A much needed sleep in today, after such a big day yesterday. We did not manage to leave our hotel until after 12 midday. Today was all about seeing Niagara Falls, from the Canadian side, which was what everyone we spoke to, and everything we read, suggested. We set off in the snow, to cross the Canadian border on foot. It was about a 10 minute walk. We went through customs, and walked along the pathway to see the falls. The Canadian horseshoe fall was really quite magnificent, and very interesting to see. We were all very cold though, and...

Dec 26, 2012 - It's A Doggy Dog World

Before we left on our trip, we decided our trip motto was going to be "It's a Doggy Dog World" (which comes from a Modern Family episode, when Gloria states "It isn't dog eat dog, why would dogs want to eat each other!) Today, we were all set to fly out of Aspen airport, to Buffalo, via Chicago. We arrived at Aspen airport at 9.30am, and were checking in electronically, when an alert came up on the screen that there were itinerary changes. An assistant from United Airlines, told us that out flight from Chicago to Buffalo was cancelled, and...

Sep 15, 2012 - Niagara Falls (USA)

Day 34, September 15, 2012 (5 photos) Scratched another item off Sue’s “Bucket List”; visited Niagara Falls. On Saturday covered the American side. Found a campground around noon from which pick-up for an organized tour was available; took it. Rode the “Maiden of the Mist” up river to the foot of the falls. Donned ponchos and walked into the “Cave of the Winds” (actually not a cave but a close encounter with Bridal Vale Falls). Saw several other points of interest, including, in the distance, a high-wire walker on the Canadian side.

Sep 13, 2012 - Rough day

Today I had my first big problem with the RV. I was already to leave in the morning and turned the key and zippo. Engine didn't turn over or make the dreaded clicking... dead chassis battery sound. I tried all the usual stuff (jump-start the battery, boost from the house batteries, tested the fuses etc). I had Coach-Net (the AAA service for RVs) come out and he hit my starter solenoid with a wrench and it started. He told me not to turn it off and find a place that would repair it right away. Didn't know if it would restart if I turned it...

Sep 12, 2012 - Niagara Falls

I arrived yesterday at the campground on Grand Island NY which is about 15 minutes from Niagara Falls. My original plan was to drive to a casino next to the falls and simply stay for free in their parking lot. They don't mind so long as you also visit the casino and leave with less money. I'm glad I decided to stay at a campground, with full hookups also. I drove my car on the same route the GPS would have taken the RV and there was a 12' overpass. My RV measures 11'-8" but who knows if the road was repaved and not remeasured, so I dodged a...

Sep 1, 2012 - Family visits from Sept 1 - Sept 3

We stayed in the Niagara Falls Elks parking lot Friday and Saturday nights. Saturday was gruesome being parked in the lot though. Turns out all the people who live in Ontario cross the border and go to the stores in Niagara Falls to shop. Since we were in a lot where the fashion outlet mall was, we were boxed in where the motor home was parked. Some lady even hit our coach with her rear view mirror! A paint rub only, thank goodness but enough for us to move early Sunday morning to Joe's cousin's next door neighbor's driveway. Turned out...

Sep 1, 2012 - Up State New York

Oh My Goodness we're home,,,,, so I thought I'd better get busy and finish the blog! We spent several weeks in up state New York! Beautiful,Simply beautiful! 2 week were in Holley, New York, at a Golf Resort! NICEEEEEE!! While we were there we met 2 other Alfa owners killing time like us before the Rally in Niagara Falls! It was really nice getting to know Frank & Holly and Trevor & Janet! Having friends already at the rally waiting for us to pull in was really nice! The whole Alfa Sunrisers Club made us feel welcome right from the get...

Sep 1, 2012 - One Year on the Road

One year ago today we left home (Fortuna, CA). Since then we've traveled 7,993 miles in the trailer and many more in the truck. We've visited 26 states + Washington DC and two Canadian provinces. It has been a beautiful trip - not necessarily uneventful, but nonetheless beautiful. As some of you may be aware we arrived in Niagara Falls on August 10 and the next day Betty fell and fractured her T12 vertebra. The closest we've been to the falls in the past three weeks is one mile, when Betty spent 2-1/2 days in the Niagara Falls Medical...

Aug 18, 2012 - Taking a Fall in Niagra Falls

Greetings! I know it has been a long time since I've done a travel update, but I'm sure it hasn't been this long. I think there must be a glitch in my travel log. Here is the current status: One week ago we had just arrived in Niagara Falls, New York. After dinner Betty was walking from the dinner table to her recliner, about ten feet, when she suddenly lost her balance (residual effect of her stroke four years ago) and made an uncontrolled landing on her derriere on the living room floor. Ouch!! By Sunday afternoon the pain was unbearable...

Aug 18, 2012 - Lockport, NY & Old Fort Niagara

Our final days in the Niagara Falls area took us to see Locks 34 & 35 in Lockport, NY. Today there are 36 active locks in the famed Erie Canal. For $11.50 per person, there is a fabulous tour and boat ride. The history is really fun and remarkable at what the american spirit and will can accomplish. Watching the active locks is amazing. Our last sight seeing adventure was to go the point where the Niagara River flows into Lake Ontario and visit the restored Fort Niagara. A little bit more money, but really worth it. There are several...