After a short night's sleep and a BRIGHT morning sun, I awoke at 6 AM to check out the sights...COFFEE. AT 5 bucks Canadian I got a Starbucks venti which woke me up enough to know I wouldn't pay 3 bucks Canadian for a bagel (Per kid)...
It is a lovely,breezy morning so I enjoyed my walk. Now, at almost 8 am I've awoken the kids so we can get breakfast (all you can eat pancakes for 6 can) It'll be lunch too! I can't buy any tickets for the boat or imax until 8, so I'm killing time by letting them eat!
Monday, June 20, 2016
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
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
Saturday, June 18, 2016
Revving our Engines
It's Father's Day Eve and we're chomping at the bit to hit the road for our adventure! I've been conceptualizing this trip for about two years, and as of tomorrow! We're living the dream.
Newfoundland! Here we come!
The kids and I did most of our packing yesterday so that we could enjoy the day at the pool with John for an early Father's Day. Soooooo, he worked on the pool pump most of the day, while we watched him and told him what a good job he was doing. Then, he and I worked out at the Y while the kids continued floating. We enjoyed a relaxed day as a family. We won't see John again for a few weeks, when he flies up to meet us in Sydney, NS. We'll catch the ferry to Newfoundland from that port.
After our sunny day, we headed off to mass so we can get an E.A.R.L.Y. start tomorrow morning. (As an aside, It does feel strange going to mass on Saturday though. Ben was a little confused about it.) I feel good about starting our trip off with mass. All glory to God! He gave us our Land, our family, our health! I'm very thankful to be able to celebrate life with this trip.
For Father's Day Eve dinner, I made a World Premier Recipe with giant fresh Sea Scallops and summer veggies, served over pasta...yum! Lydia baked some chocolate chip cookies for the road, and we did the obligatory one hour clean up before checking the car top carrier for all 9 sleeping bags. I know mine is in there, along with my mat. That's all I need to know. (Oh! I can' t forget my pillow!!)
It's almost 11 pm now. So, this tester first blog post will be it. For now, it's just a normal night. But tomorrow...LOOK OUT MOOSE! Here we come! that goes for you whales, as well.
PS Im not sure how much I'll be posting, since I'm doing all of the driving. Tomorrow is a 12 hour day up to Niagara. I'm not sure I'll post. But! Please comment and remind me of my wonderful life back home in sunny--humid--South Carolina!
Newfoundland! Here we come!
The kids and I did most of our packing yesterday so that we could enjoy the day at the pool with John for an early Father's Day. Soooooo, he worked on the pool pump most of the day, while we watched him and told him what a good job he was doing. Then, he and I worked out at the Y while the kids continued floating. We enjoyed a relaxed day as a family. We won't see John again for a few weeks, when he flies up to meet us in Sydney, NS. We'll catch the ferry to Newfoundland from that port.
After our sunny day, we headed off to mass so we can get an E.A.R.L.Y. start tomorrow morning. (As an aside, It does feel strange going to mass on Saturday though. Ben was a little confused about it.) I feel good about starting our trip off with mass. All glory to God! He gave us our Land, our family, our health! I'm very thankful to be able to celebrate life with this trip.
For Father's Day Eve dinner, I made a World Premier Recipe with giant fresh Sea Scallops and summer veggies, served over pasta...yum! Lydia baked some chocolate chip cookies for the road, and we did the obligatory one hour clean up before checking the car top carrier for all 9 sleeping bags. I know mine is in there, along with my mat. That's all I need to know. (Oh! I can' t forget my pillow!!)
It's almost 11 pm now. So, this tester first blog post will be it. For now, it's just a normal night. But tomorrow...LOOK OUT MOOSE! Here we come! that goes for you whales, as well.
PS Im not sure how much I'll be posting, since I'm doing all of the driving. Tomorrow is a 12 hour day up to Niagara. I'm not sure I'll post. But! Please comment and remind me of my wonderful life back home in sunny--humid--South Carolina!
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