Niagara Falls In All It's Wonder

Niagara Falls (American and Canadian Side) 62 degrees, cloudy skies with occasion rainbows

I met a man from India while waiting for a tram at the Niagara Falls State Park. We had a brief conversation which ended by him saying "it's so wonderful God gave America this wonder for all of us to enjoy" Perfectly stated don't you think? .

American and Horseshoe Falls (Canadian side)

We spent two days exploring with our friends the U.S and Canadian side of this wonder. The weather was chilly but it didn't dampen our mood. Our first stop was the Niagara Falls State Park on the New York side. The Maid of the Mist was running and we all decided to get initiated right away to the roar of the falls and see it up close and personal. It costs us each $17 (senior discount) and we were given a blue raincoat to protect us from most of the spray. It was a thrill of ride as we got up close to the base of the Horseshoe Falls in our small boat. The roar of the water cascading over the falls was deafening. We loved it! Over 20% of the worlds water goes over this falls.

Observation tower leading down to the Maid of the Mist

Dressed up in our finest

Maid of the Mist

Foot of the American side

Barry is such a handsome dude

Approaching the base of the Horseshoe Falls

Returning back to the American side

Afterwards we bought a tram ticket for $3 which allows you to get on and off around the park stopping for different views and perspectives of the falls. It's a great deal. Our campground pass (Four Mile Creek State Park) also got us free parking at this park. We all thought the American side had a lot to offer.

Tram bus

We went back to our campground for awhile after a nice lunch to rest and then returned again and left our cars at the same state park. From here it is an easy walk  across the Rainbow Bridge to enter into Canada. Our plan was to hang out until the light show. Daffodils and tulips were flowering all over the place. We were even treated to a full rainbow across the falls.  We thought it was a sign of good times ahead. 

Randy and Fran

Jann, Fran, and Susie

American  and Bridal Veil Falls 

Horseshoe Falls at night

The next day some of us went to visit Old Fort Niagara. It's a very interesting place to visit. This fort was held by French, American, and English solders at different times between the 18th and 20th century.  We started off with a very informative movie in the visitor center and then went out to watch a fun musket shooting and toured the building and grounds. It's been very well restored. Admission is $12.

British musket reenactor

The beds seemed so short

Tomorrow we will be crossing the border into Canada for five months. We are all very excited to start this long anticipated trip.  . 

Celebrating Our Second Anniversary As Full Timers

 

Port Charlotte, FL (78 degrees, sunny with clear skies)

Today we celebrate our second anniversary as full timers. It's humbling to look back over the past two years and review some of the amazing things we have seen and done. We are very blessed and continue to enjoy this lifestyle. Although this may not be for everyone, it is perfect for us. 

 

We started our second year in White Sands National Monument in Alamogordo, New Mexico and are currently in Port Charlotte, Florida.  Here is a map of our different stops along the way.   

This year we have

• Traveled 7076 miles in the motorhome
• Explored many more miles in the jeep
• Spent at least one night in 15 States
• Managed a sport memorabilia kiosk in Port Charlotte, Florida
• Worked for a KOA in Watkins Glen, New York
• Volunteered at White Sands National Monument
• Participated in one NOMADS project in Tucson Arizona
• Attended two rally’s (FMCA Indio, CA & Gypsy Journal Rally Yuma, AZ)
• Marveled at many beautiful waterfalls, sunsets, sunrises, and star filled skies
• Paddled several rivers and lakes in our kayak
  
• Took the motorcoach and jeep on a ferry ride
  
• Made many new friends
  
• Treasured several visits from family and friends
  
• Plus so much more.  Here are a few of the highlights

White Sands National Monument was a magical place.  We even had the whole place to ourselves with several volunteers when the main road closed due to a snow storm. 

 

The deserts in Arizona and California were so beautiful and we were awed by the spectacular sunsets. 

 

 

 

We had a lot of fun locating creasted cactus, a unusual and rare phenomenon which some cactus form.

One morning we woke up to a sudden snowfall in Sedona Arizona.  The 17 inch snowfall dusted the spectacular red rocks and for a few hours before it melted we experienced a very rare event. One photographer next to me said “it’s moments like this when you really know there is a God”. 

 

 

Before

After



We spent five months workamping at Watkins Glen KOA in New York.  The Finger Lakes are very pretty and the extended stay allowed us a chance to really experience New York.  We saw lots of waterfalls

The very small….

To the humongous Niagara Falls

Touring some wineries in the Finger Lakes was very interesting.  I learned a lot about wine from the wine tastings over the summer and have a new appreciation. 







A visit to NYC was a highlight and we especially enjoyed being able to see John’s sister, Martha, perform a lovely concert. 

 

We enjoyed moose hunting and celebrating Martha’s birthday in Vermont.  The cousins were all together and it was so much fun.  

 

 

 

On our way to Florida we even took the motorcoach and our jeep on two ferry rides to the Outer Banks of North Carolina.  

 

 

 

A new roof was put on our motorhome in Indiana and we added a comfy new sofa bed.  Plus in Delaware the motorhome got six new shoes (tires). My brother helped us also improve our sound system for the TV and we installed a new radio.  The IPOD capability sure has been fun to use as we travel down the road. 

 

 

We are now in Florida and and will soon be starting a  fun filled trip with our friends JC and Bev for three months all around Florida. Life is good.   We remain very grateful that we can travel and enjoy this lifestyle.  It’s been another great trip around the sun.