Wednesday - July 18

H A P P Y   B I R T H D A Y

BROOKE

Celebrating with family

The birthday girl with Blair and Maeve

 

Another very fun day....left the boat at 8:15 and a nice short drive of 9 miles to Niagara Falls.     We got a prime parking spot, checked out the info for Maid of the Mist boat tour and Cave of the Winds.    Walked to the Canadian side, a quick walk-thru in customs and tah dah....the falls just blew the boys away!

 

It was fun for us to see their reaction and hear them chatter away so excited.    The crowds were not too bad, weather was perfect (75) and after doing a bunch of touristy stuff and walking around, and the boys and Grandma riding the Sky Wheel, Connor treated us to lunch followed by a big shared funnel cake!    They bought some souvenirs and then we walked back to American side, another easy trip thru customs went on the Maid of the Mist boat trip.    Fun  and breathtakingly beautiful so up close and personal to this national treasure.    More shopping, too.

 

We had a 4:00 time to do the Cave of the Winds.   Once again, put on rain ponchos (blue for boat tour - yellow for cave tour).    This was absolutely crazy walking thru a long tunnel and then climbing many steps getting soaked from the falls and strong winds.    At the top, it is hurricane force and oh my...………..just unbelievable.    No one stays up there very long - overwhelming!!!  The boys loved it but despite the ponchos, we were all wet!!!

 

Back to the truck and on to Tonawanda arriving around 6.  The boys wanted to eat at Mississippi Mudds again (real food tonight after last night's "show boat" monstrosity!)    Then onto Catrina where the boys put on their swim trunks and Grandpa took them to Memorial Pool for some swimming    I decided to have some down time - work on the blog and just chill.    It's been a very big day and I have over 17,000 steps and tummies are full of hot dogs, burgers, pizza, funnel cakes, ice cream, Dippin' Dots, smoothies, slushies, iced coffees, etc.

 

Off to Canada we go...

parked on the American side and walked across the bridge.    Definitely recommend this!

The bridge we walked across

Sign is dividing line...

Liam and Brady are in US and Connor and Grandpa in Canada!  

 

View from sky wheel 
3 awesome boys riding high (falls in background)

  

Riding high in the sky - 42 cars in the Sky Wheel (we were #26) 

American and Bridal Falls from Maid of the Mist

Horseshoe Falls from Maid of the Mist 

Canadian side wear red ponchos

Heading back to the good ole USA

Grandma and 3 WET little rats after Cave of the Winds!

 

Mark enjoyed the pool - reminded him of growing up in Dixon, IL and the same type rounded concrete pool with seating for spectators, etc.    He wonders if the same architect designed both pools?

 

Tomorrow....Darien Lake and 6 Flags!!!