A visit from Florida and a trip to Niagara Falls.

The week of July 7th-July 13th
Central NY and Niagara Falls NY

Ben came to visit us from Florida this week with his girlfriend Ashley. We had a few evenings out  and spent the Friday before he left in Niagara Falls. One evening during the week we went to Turning Stone casino and had a nice buffet dinner.

We are missing a few of the kids, but it was nice to have Ben and Alexis join us tonight. 

 

That Friday we woke up early and headed off to Niagara Falls. We got there early after our one trip several years ago in the summer ended up being waiting in line for most of the trip. We arrived early enough to be some of the first cars in the parking lot and some of the first to get on the Maid of the Mist.






The American Falls are certainly beautiful.

This was Ashley's first time in NY. I'm glad she got to see Niagara Falls. She seems quit sweet. Glad that Ben has found a nice girlfriend, they seem so happy together. Mark and I look happy too.

The skies were insanely beautiful. We could not have asked for a better day weather wise.

After a few more pictures of the American falls and a few awestruck moments, we were soon in line for the Maid of the Mist tour and were provided those lovely blue raincoats. We have several at the house, they come in handy when we've been stuck outside somewhere and need a rain cover.

Canada just over there.....

We headed towards the Canadian Falls (Horseshoe Falls)

We were already getting wet from the mist even before we got to the center of the falls. In the picture above you can see where the boats sit while people on the boats are hit with tons of water.

The water at the base of the falls was a rocking.

I could only get a few pictures of the falls while we were directly in them. Before long my camera was covered in water.

Goodbye Horseshoe falls. It is definitely the experience.

As we headed back to the American Falls this patch of rock and green moss we passed was full of those white birds. I'm calling it seagull point, although there is no official name for the sectioned area that breaks the horseshoe falls off from the American Falls.

Just up ahead is the American Falls, to the right of this picture is the walk behind the falls. We went there a few years ago. One can get pretty close to the water on this wooden trail.

Bridal Falls is the slender Falls close to the walkway, and there are the American Falls.

Bridal Falls.

Up close and personal with the American Falls. All those rocks...a fall over this would certainly end in death. Several people have taken the plunge over the years. Many did not make it. Today making the leap could end you in jail of you survive.

There is a look out once you disembark from the boat. I caught a rainbow. 

After we enjoyed the falls we headed into the town of Niagara Falls. Ben and Mark played some ping pong and we wondered the streets until we decided on lunch at Hard Rock Cafe.

We had pictures taken at the entrance before our meal. I thought Ashley would appreciate these so I bought them for her to take home. I will have to send them to her as they are still at the house.

The burgers are not the best, and neither is the price, but it sure if fun to look at all the musical history.

Ben had the 24k gold burger. This is a hamburger with gold leaf on top.

With full bellie's we decided to call it a good day and head back home. Ben and Ashley return home tomorrow morning really early.....Along the thruway is this rest stop about the Erie Canal. I made Mark stop and we took a quick detour of the area.

A small trail leads to these remodeled buildings. The history was indeed interesting. This Saloon was once a hotel on the canal as well.

It was a wonderful day. We got home and my other son came to visit and we all had dinner in the village of Liverpool at the Retreat. (Great Food if you are ever there.). I was able to get a picture of all the boys before Ben went home. Nowadays it is rare to get them all in one place. We missed Alexis with everyone this year. 

PS- I placed my Letchworth found rock on the platform after taking the Maid of the Mist, I hope someone finds it and post on Medina Rocks. 

That Saturday Ben and Ashley left to return to Florida. This makes me so sad. They seem to grow up so quick. My daughter plans to move to Las Vegas in Aug. Mark and I will have to hurry up and retire so we can hit the road full time to see everyone. Speaking of Las Vegas Mark and I are headed there for our next trip....TTFN