Niagara Falls Day 3

Last day in Canada....so we were off to get some souvenirs. Outside one of the souvenir places there was a giant moose statue, mounties (RCMP), and a giant bear statue as well.

After our souvenir fix, it was off to the vineyards. We had heard that Niagara-on-the-Lake was definitely a place we needed to go, and the whole drive there it is vineyards as far as the eye can see. This area of Canada is known for their icewines, so we decided to go visit some of the wineries.

First stop, Inniskillin. We had some a sample of this brand yesterday just before dinner, and it was great, and since all the wineries offer free samples, we had to stop!

We went inside the shop, and they sell everything from wine to glasses, to apparel, to starter kits for the new connoisseur.

Who doesnt like free samples?

4 bottles later...

Very cute place. Restaurant wasn't open yet, so we decided we would try Niagara on the lake for lunch.

Niagara-on-the-Lake is a super cute old town right on the Niagara lake and river. There are lots of restaurants & little shops.

Then we drove by the famous Prince of Wales Hotel. They offer trolley car wine tours, and other wine themed events (as many places in this town do).

Off to Buffalo Airport to catch our flight home, and get some food (we spent too much time driving around the town, we ran out of time to eat here). This was such a cute town (Niagara-on-theLake, not Buffalo), we will definitely be back!

Niagara Falls Day 2

Welcome to Canada!

Let it be known that the best views of Niagara Falls are definitely on the Canadian side!

The weather went back and forth between cloudy and sunny, so every now and then we got a really nice picture with the sun out.

All along the falls, the Canadian side has a nice park with trails, and the best photo spots.

Then it was up to the Observatory deck to get even better views. Just as we were about to the top there was a plaque talking about one of the people that died when the ice bridge had collapsed back in 1912. One of them was a 17 yr. old boy from Cleveland.

Then it was off to lunch, and on our way back we passed flowers that were just filled with butterflies. There were about 10 pots filled with various flowers, and each pot had at least 2 butterflies.

After lunch it was nap time, but first, TG had to get some zyrtec cause her allergies were bothering her. However, they do not have "zyrtec" in Canada. They have their own version (same ingredients) called Reactine. Good thing she knew what the actual ingredients were!

Now it's dinner time, so we went over to the Canyon Creek Restaurant because it had great views (and wonderful food too)! We decided to stay and play a little at the casino which was right across the street from our hotel. Played some slots and roulette. In the end MB took home $400, which was great, because that helped us break even for the suit he bought Friday :)

Tomorrow it's off to Niagara-on-the-Lake and some vineyards!

Niagara Falls Day 1

On our way to Niagara, we stopped in Buffalo for some gas and grub. TG didn't know that "buffalo wings" actually came from Buffalo, NY, so we decided to go to the restaurant that started it all....Anchor Bar. If you want to read more about this restaurant's story: click here.

The menu also tells the history of the "buffalo wing".

While they do serve things other than wings, why would you get anything else?

After lunch we continued on our way to Niagara Falls. While the sun was trying to make an appearance, it was still very cloudy, so we debated whether or not to just wait until Tuesday to go do the touristy things. We decided to just go ahead and see the park, do Maid of the Mist, and then head over to Canada, that way we didn't have to come back and cross the border later. It was a good thing we decided to do that. Why? As we were pulling in to park, the ticket lady told us that today was the last day for the Maid of the Mist. Starting tomorrow they would close until Spring. Talk about luck!

As the boat first comes around, the falls look just beautiful. The sun just started to come back out and it felt wonderful.

Then the wind starts to pick up, and the mist starts to blow in your face, and you begin to get wet. Thank goodness for the free ponchos!

Then you really start to get inside the falls, with super close views. While this does mean you get sprayed in the face with chilly mist constantly, there are rainbows everywhere!

After the boat ride, we went back up to the top and took some pictures by the falls. The clouds came back, and the temperature started to fall....time to go to Canada.

While some would say that October is not a good time to go to the falls cause it's too cold, and always cloudy, this benefited us. How? Since not many people were there visiting, we were upgraded to a higher room with a wonderful view from the 30th floor of the Hilton (below is the room view, plus glare from the sunset)!

Canadian falls tomorrow....

Ohio Weekend

Off to Columbus for our friend's wedding this weekend! MB forgot his suit back home, so he and Dave made a quick run to the mall to try to find a suit that would not require any tailoring.

In between the ceremony and rehearsal of the wedding, we went back to Dave's house and had him take some pictures of us since we were all dressed up. Dave, who had taken the picture we used for our Save the Dates, was more than happy to take more pictures in hopes that he might also end up being the photographer for the image on our future invitations as well. He took over 30 great pictures in his backyard, and since the leaves were at their peak, they all turned out wonderful!

On Sunday morning, we got up early so that we could stop off in Mansfield to see Grandma. Her dog, who normally attacks every male who steps foot in the home, was actually quite pleasant. Not only did she not bark or bite anyone, but she actually let MB pet her!

After having lunch with grandma, we were off to Cleveland to see some more friends. However, we actually had such a good time that we forgot to take any pictures! (Forgetting where we put the camera for a while, and also laziness may have played a part as well).

Tomorrow we embark to Canada to go see Niagara Falls!

Joplyn Update

Hello! My name is Joplyn, and I have been a member of this family for about 4 months now. Here is an update of me and how I am doing, along with things I like to do, and don't like to do. Enjoy! --Joplyn

I like to start off my day by waking my parents up at the edge of the bed by growling at them.

When mom visits, we sit out on the patio and she scratches my ears. Sometimes she gets distracted and stops, so I turn and make funny faces at her so she keeps scratching....90% of the time, it works every time!

Sometimes nobody wants to play with me cause they are too busy, so I get out my toy and put on my biggest sad face and guilt-trip them into playing with me.

Sometimes my friend Madyson from upstairs will come visit me, and we just hang out on the back patio.

Mom & dad give me treats in my Kong when they leave to keep me busy, but I've learned that if you just jump on it the treats all come flying out! Genius!

Playing catch at the park is one of my favorite things to do. However, if you make me catch tennis balls, I will not return them, but rather, I like to chew the yellow stuff off the outside.

My favorite part of the day is belly scratch time!

I also really like to sniff bees. Sometimes I chomp at them.

Dad takes me hiking a lot, and that is lots of fun. Plus, I have my own backpack so I can carry my own water, water bowl, and treats.

I also really like car rides. Even if dad makes me ride in the back seat, I eventually climb my way to the front so I can get a better view.

A few things I don't like....thunderstorms for sure. That's why I have to wear my Thundershirt, so I don't freak out. I don't quite know what to make of the shirt just yet, but I'm sure I will get used to it.

I also don't like it when my mom smothers me at the park while I'm trying to watch for squirrels and birds.

More to come!