Sunday, June 19, 2016

Day 1: A long haul....A powerful welcome!

Day1:

728 miles after we prayed the Our Father with John and the girls in the driveway, and 12 hours after our exhilerated departure from Fort Mill,  we arrived safely in Niagara Falls!

I'm thankful to report an uneventful drive. The kids read, or slept, or ate junk food (when it's gone it's gone) while I drove on and on. The 3PM "Witching Hour of Driving" arrived, when the sleeping fairies sprinkle stardust in my eyes.  I chomped on Peanut M&Ms which managed to keep my eyes at half mast. Around 4 PM  I stopped and ran around a rest area just inside the PA border. That woke me up. The kids threw the frisbee. A nice break.

The West VA mountains popped a few ears, but we adjusted until the slow descent into the PA piedmont about an hour North of Pittsburgh (which we didn't even glimpse). After 550 miles of "due North" driving we turned East, lest we plunge into Lake Erie, which we skirted for another 100 miles. Around 6 PM I asked the toll worker where I could find a grocery store. He told me about "Toms". It's like a giant Publix or BiLo at Isle of Palms. Despite being in NY, the lunch meat was lousy despite the high price. But, it became dinner none the less. We eat it without mayo on plain bread. I guess upstate NY isn't known for it's delis!

I asked the Tom's worker where I could buy cheaper gas (less than 2.55/gal d@ Toms) She said the Seneca Nation on Hwy 20. Therefore, I departed ways with my friendly Garmin GPS (and Johnny's better advice) in search of saving a few dimes. Which I DID, as a matter of fact. But it was dicey whether I'd ever find the toll road again. The more rural road proved beautiful. In another life, I'll return and check out the many wineries, and Lake Erie.

Now we're settled in an oldish hotel that overlooks the mighty Canadian Niagara Falls.We promenaded along a lovely walkway , enjoying the cool mist blowing off of the river. As I typed thisI heard loud bangs outside. Like a drum.  Apparently the American side sets off fireworks attempting to entice tourists to stay south of the border on the less spectacular side of the falls. Yes, a fluke of nature, and Canada won this "battle" for tourism.

And Honkey Tonk it is. We'll spend the moring on a boat trip of the falls and then head out to Toronto to visit a friend. I'm not much into gambling or 89 year old former pop idols....sigh...in fact, I didn't even use my free "cocktails for two"  voucher that the hotel gave me. I'm a boring girl, looking forward to visiting PEI and the setting for my idol: Anne of Green Gables.

Until later! Peace to you all...as we drift off into "snore land".

I've got to figure out how to upload photos. for now they'll be on FB

No comments:

Post a Comment