Day of Rest at Niagara Falls NY - Another Beautiful Day

Another gorgeous day on our Fall Color Tour. Started week six today and we're here in Niagara Falls NY for one more night, so we took the day to kick back and enjoy the RV and our site. We've had some beautiful weather throughout this trip. Today the high got up to 72 degrees and the sun shone brightly most of the day. Dale attempted to watch a little football, but the only game being televised at 1 PM was the Patriots / Jaguars.  Lost interest quickly.

We thought we'd give movie going another stab. We went to the 4 PM showing of The Intern with Robert De Niro and Anne Hathaway. Dale enjoyed it, probably because he could identify with De Niro's character as recently retired. Patti wasn't thrilled. Oh well, different strokes for different folks. Definitely a "chick flick."

Moving day tomorrow.  Watkins Glen NY here we come.

Niagara Falls NY Site

Dale Lounging
Watching Football

Updated Travel Map on the Outside TV Door
Poor Indiana Left Out this Trip

#greatweather  #theintern  #noindiana  #sundayfootballwatching

Niagara Falls - a Two Day Experience - US & Canada

Niagara Falls, New York and Niagara Falls, Ontario are very different cities. There are three sets of falls in Niagara Falls, hence "falls." Rainbow and Bridal are on the United States side of the Niagara River. Horseshoe is the classic picture and is located on the Canadian side. Everyone will tell you that the best view of the Falls is from the Canadian side. Very true.  As you will see from the pictures, Horseshoe Fall is pretty well hidden from the US side. And, being down on the water in a boat is well worth the trip and "shower."  

Friday; September 25:  We headed to Niagara Falls State Park, NY just to check out where we should go on Saturday morning. When we got into the area, it seemed convenient to take a closer look. Next thing you know, we're looking at the Falls, up close and personal. Of course, we were on the US side, with every intention of getting the full view, from Canada - just across the bridge. So, we walked around to see what we could see from the US side, then made a reservation for a guided tour on Saturday to the Canadian side.  

We hadn't seen a movie at a theater for a while. Since we've moved to the beach, there has been little incentive to venture off the island for leisure time. The theaters in Bradenton are not "stadium" seating and are a little worn. So, we have opted not to go much. M. Night Shyamalan is a favorite director of ours and he has a new movie out, "The Visit."  It's about two young teenagers who go to visit their grandparents (Nana & Pop-pop; close to Nana and Papa) for the first time, alone. It's a thriller, but not worth the effort. We were very disappointed. But, we love the movies, so we won't give up...just yet. 

Saturday; September 26:  Caught the Tour Bus at the gate to our RV Park at 10:50 AM and headed to pick up other passengers; there were a total of eight of us (nice). Very comfortable for everyone. Back and forth across the border was not an inconvenience. Just an all around good day. 

The Canadian side is much more tourist friendly than the US side. The US side has a number of empty buildings in the business district, including a mall that has closed. Lots of older homes in various stages of repair / disrepair. The Canadian side, those older homes have become bed & breakfast establishments. There are two casinos and various places to eat. Many more visitors on the Canadian side. 

One of the highlights of the day was a trip behind the Falls. We took some video that we have not been able to download to the Blog. We'll try to figure out a way - perhaps YouTube. In the meantime, lots of pictures. Another interesting time was a boat ride up to the Horseshoe Falls. Lots of  "spray" from the water crashing into the water. Can't do that trip without getting a little wet. Worried about my phone (camera) the entire time. 

Two interesting facts that we were not aware of: 1) The Falls are a lime stone shelf and are eroding at about one inch per year now. This is because of how the two federal governments have worked together to redirect some of the water to slow the erosion. But, they have eroded about six miles from where they originated, as determined by the whirlpool downstream. 2) The redirection of the water flow of the Niagara River (which connects Lake Erie with Lake Ontario) has been done in large part to use the powerful water flow to create hydroelectric power for both the US and Canada. Hoped that was the case, but didn't know.   

May need to do some domestic chores tomorrow to get ready to move on to Watkins Glen NY.  May also see "The Intern." 

Elvis Shows Up When...
You Least Expect It

First Idea We Were Near the Falls
See the Rising Mist?

The American Side, Rainbow Falls
Right Behind Us
(Patti Hates this Picture of herself)

Rainbow Falls on the Left
Bridal Falls on the Right
US Side

Horseshoe Falls - Canadian Side

A Tree in the Niagara River
Leading up to Rainbow Falls

Rainbow Falls Foreground
Horseshoe Falls Background
from the US Side

Panorama of the Horseshoe Falls
from the "Behind the Falls"
Observation Deck

Looking Up from the
"Behind the Falls"
Observation Deck at
Horseshoe Falls

Looking Out of a
Portal "Behind the Falls"
Nothing But Water

Looking Back from Horseshoe
Falls at Rainbow Bridge
Natural Rainbow in the Foreground

Original Whirlpool
Downstream from the Falls

 #waterispowerful  #behindthefalls  #elviswashere  #portalview  #whirlpool

Another Travel Day - Farther East to Niagara Falls NY

We continue to have gorgeous weather.  Out of the 32 days we've been on the road, we've had rain three days total, the first two we were working our way out of Florida.  This coming week is expected to be sunny and mid-70s each day.  Wow!  A little chilly at night, but beautiful days, for sure.

From Patti's perspective we were up and at 'em early this morning.  We left the KOA in Sandusky just before 10 AM; stopped by a local produce market for tomatoes and onions; visited the local Starbucks and headed east.  Our first major sighting was the Cleveland Skyline.  Over the years Cleveland has be the butt of many jokes, but it is a large and beautiful city on Lake Erie.  Lots of commerce still ships, rails or roads through and out of Cleveland.

One of the many things we've noticed on our travels are the numerous road construction projects underway.  Dale has gotten pretty accustomed to wheeling the RV around at speeds below 65 miles per hour.  Yet, when the road narrows for construction sites and the semi trucks pass, creating a wind turbulence we haven't often noticed in a normal sized vehicle, it creates a "white knuckle" situation. Of course, it certainly appears that the road repair / improvement projects are necessary.  We nearly lost the RV and van in a pothole this morning.  And, winter is just around the corner.  Look out!

One of Dale's pet peeves back when he was a daily commuter was the "snowbird traffic" during rush hours.  Non-commuters shouldn't be clogging up the roads from 7 AM to 10 AM and 4 PM to 7 PM. Well, he learned a lesson about that today. Low and behold, we were on the highway system around Buffalo NY at 4:45 PM. RUSH HOUR. Road construction; confusing signage; confusing instructions from Siri; hand gestures from NY drivers.  Nuff Said!  Lesson Learned!  

Speaking of Buffalo, "No one circles the wagons like the Buffalo Bills," says Boomer.  Is that Boomer Sooner, Boomer Esiason or Chris "Boomer" Berman?  Hint: Patti says, "It's not the former Cincinnati Bengals Quarterback."

We're settled in at the Niagara Falls Campground for the next four nights.  Anxious to see the Falls from both sides of the Border.  We're told they light the Falls at 8:30 PM.  We'll have to check that out.  First look, on our own, tomorrow.  If needed a guided tour on Saturday or Sunday.

267 miles today.

Cleveland OH in the Distance

Cleveland Up Close and Personal
Construction Season

Progressive Field
Home of the Cleveland Indians

Buffalo New York
RUSH HOUR!

#beautifulweather  #boomersays  #avoidrushhour  #cityskylines

Sandusky Ohio - enroute to Niagara Falls - Tracie Davis Dahlke Showed us the Sights

We're having beautiful weather.  We're not certain, but it seems unseasonably warm.  Yet, the nights get a little chilly.  We left Frankenmuth MI this morning, headed for Niagara Falls NY.  First, a Starbucks Run and stock up on some provisions in Birch Run MI.  Then I-75 south, through Flint; Lansing; and Ann Arbor.  One thing we noticed throughout our stay in Michigan (upper & lower), ours was the only Honda vehicle we saw.  A couple of Toyotas.  No Volvo; BMW or Benz. Interesting. Didn't even see a dealership for any of those cars.  Hmm.  Thoughts?

As we turned east and headed across northern Ohio, we contacted long time colleague, Tracie Davis Dahlke to see if she had time for a cup of coffee.  She and Rod came to the KOA where we have parked for the night.  We had dinner at a local place (awesome), toured the city with Tracie and life long resident, Rod, as our guides.  We capped the evening with a trip to Toft's Dairy Ice Cream Store. A whirlwind tour with lots of laughs and some credit union talk.  We'd like to come back and spend more time - a beautiful time of the year here.

192 miles today.

Have Had the RV for about
16 months, finally hit 6,000

Tracie Davis Dahlke
visits the RV in Sandusky

Tracie & Rod Showed us the Town

Dinner at the New Sandusky
Fish Company - Awesome Perch

On the Shores of Lake Erie

Night Cap?
Toft Dairy Ice Cream

#shallowestgreatlake  #compassandsquare  #wagontrainleavesinthemorning 

Frankenmuth MI - Domestic Day

An acquaintance of Patti's (Janet Gither) told her a long time ago that she and her husband would not be traveling by RV during retirement.  What she actually said was, "Heck no, I'm not taking my housekeeping with me." LOL!  Today was housekeeping day, including laundry and grilling.  But first, a Starbucks run.

After the windows were washed on the outside, the floors were cleaned and the laundry done and put away, we sat outside in the beautiful sunshine and grilled burgers and blackened chicken breast; sandwiches for the coming week.

Then, an exploration journey around Frankenmuth.  What had we not seen yesterday that would interest us?  An historic Log Cabin, built in 1856, complete with out-buildings.  The Historical Association keeps it in great condition.  Nice.

Ohio bound in the AM.  Stay tuned.

Area Historic Site

The Log House

Dale Grilling for the Coming Week

#domesticday  #grilledburgersandchicken  #historicsites 

Frankenmuth MI - U.S. Bavaria - CHRISTmas Wonderland

Frankenmuth MI was a great one day travel distance for us from Mackinac Island and the Upper Peninsula.  But, the real reason we ventured through is the advice of a colleague, Diana Wozniak. Her husband Jim is from Michigan and has relatives not far from Frankenmuth.  She suggested that because of Patti's love of the Christmas Season, she would love Bronner's CHRISTmas Wonderland, the world's largest Christmas Store - one and one-half football fields of retail Christmas shopping. Imagine it, they have it.

But, first we made a quick, 10 mile trip to Birch Run for Starbucks. (LOL) And, while we were in Birch Run someone asked us for directions to the Birch Run Premium Outlet Mall. We told them we were tourists and had no idea.  Yep, you guessed it - we searched them out.  And, after three quick stops for things we just couldn't live without, we headed back to Frankenmuth for the Bronner Experience.

Dale loves fried chicken and has been searching for chicken as good as his maternal grandmother made for a long time, to no avail.  Well, in Frankenmuth, the Zehnder Family operates a restaurant that specializes in Fried Chicken Family Style Dinner's.  Ate there this evening.  Very good; but, Dale is still in search of Grandma's Fried Chicken.

Tomorrow is looking like another beautiful day, weather-wise.  We're planning a fun day of cleaning, organizing and laundry.  Oh well, real life has to be attended to from time to time.  Then a couple of days travel time to Niagara Falls.

Life is good today...and every day.

Patti & Santa
Bronner's CHRISTmas
Wonderland

The Front of Bronner's
Nativity

Bronner's Parking Lot
Nativity

Bronner's has Halloween too

Bronner's Annual Clock

Something for Everyone
Retirement Ornament
7 Day Weekend

Colors are Starting to Show

Downtown Covered Bridge

Winner Winner
Chicken Dinner

Downtown Hotel
Bavarian Inn

#bronnerschristmaswonderland  #winnerwinnerchickendinner  #sevendayweekend 

Moving on to Frankenmuth MI

Week 5 starts today and its moving day, one of our least favorite times.  We had an excellent day. Perhaps we're getting the hang of this RV Thing.

Dale has not been looking forward to traversing the Mackinac Bridge, across the Straits of Mackinac and the entry into Lake Michigan.  It was completed in November 1957 and is only four lanes wide; no emergency lane or shoulder (eek!). By contrast, the Skyway Bridge, across the mouth of Tampa Bay, is six plus lanes wide (two lanes for traffic each way, an emergency outside lane each way and a narrow shoulder lane on the inside each way.  Mackinac Bridge, four fairly narrow lanes by today's standards - at least Dale's standards. He white knuckled it the whole way and kept muttering something that sounded like Jamey Johnson's song, "You Should Have Seen It In Color."  Something like, "If it looks like he was scared to death; just a husband trying take it all on his shoulder; you should have seen it in color."  You've heard the song, right?  It seems that his incentive was that there was a Starbucks just on the other side of the bridge - first stop in Lower Michigan.

Did you know that I-75 runs from Miami to Sault Ste Marie Michigan and the Canadian Border? Well, we realized that the Mackinac Bridge is on I-75 as we approached it.  Tampa is only 1,450 miles south.  GPS says that if we drove straight through we could be there by about 9 PM on Tuesday.  That ain't happening.

As we drove "down" I-75 South, we stopped to stock up on food, water and other necessities. Camping World has become a place we visit often.  They have everything to make the RV Experience memorable (and expensive).

We've stopped for the next three nights in Frankenmuth MI.  It's a southern suburb of Saginaw MI, on the shores of Lake Huron and home to the World's Largest Christmas Store, Bronner's Christmas Wonderland.  They claim it is 1.5 football fields of retail space.  Guess where we're going tomorrow and Tuesday?  Patti is certain to find at least one thing she can't live without.  Dale's more interested in a restaurant named Zehnders.  They are famous for their family style fried chicken.  He's excited.

We're settled into the Frankenmuth Jellystone RV Resort.  Yogi Bear says "Hey, Hey, Hey."  Sounds a little corny, but it is very nice.  And, home for the next three days.

219 miles today.  

Northern End of I-75

Approach to the
Mackinac Bridge

Where We've Been
the Past Four Weeks

#narrowbridge  #1450milestotampa  #bronnerschristmasstore  #zehndersfriedchicken 

Stayed an Extra Day on Lake Michigan - We're Becoming "Yoopers" (Uppers) LOL

Saturday.  We're winding down up Week 4 of our adventure.  The weather was bad this morning.  It rained all night and we really enjoyed hearing the rain pelt the roof of the RV.  Sounds like the tin roof of a barn or an old farm house porch.  Peaceful and relaxing.  So, instead of moving day, this became another day of rest and relaxation.  We just didn't want to do all the tear down and hook up on the rain soaked ground.  We're starting to adjust to the phrase: "No place to be; and, all day to get there."  We'll try again tomorrow.  The weather has cleared; we should be good to go.

Time for reflection.  When Patti and I were much younger, we would rent a houseboat to vacation with Dominique on Lake Barkley [Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) Lake] just south of the Ohio River, north of its confluence with the Mississippi River.  We loved houseboating.  Dominique would often bring a friend and we'd spend a week swimming and reading.  We dreamed back then that we would retire aboard a houseboat and travel the Intercoastal Waterways of the eastern United States. You can go from Chicago to St. Louis to New Orleans to Miami to Maine without getting out on the Ocean.  Then take the St. Lawrence Seaway to return to Chicago.  It sounded so exciting, we were experienced freshwater sailors.  Now that we've retired that doesn't seem so practical.  So, we've opted for a houseboat on wheels.  And, we're looking for a name for this rig.  What do you think? Any suggestions?  

We've enjoyed our time together, away from the hustle-bustle of everyday life.  We start Week 5 tomorrow.  These past few days we've felt as if we are in a foreign country, but speak a very similar language.  We've concluded that perhaps the U.P. should be called the L.R.C. (Lower Rural Canada), eh.  Cell service is limited.  Food is different.  Not many people.  Highway improvements are rare. Just a different kind of life than we are used to.  What a beautiful part of the U.S.  We can see ourselves spending the summer months here.  But, we'd be way too far from our family, so that won't happen.  Headed back to the Lower 48 tomorrow, back to civilization.

Trees Turning in the U.P.

How Chicago Looks from the U.P.

The Mackinac Bridge from the North

#week4ended  #houseboatonwheels  #colorsarechanging

Catch Up Day - Laundry & Rest

Had a stormy night.  Really neat lying in bed, listening to the rain on the roof, along with an occasional clap of thunder.  Something we've talked about how much we enjoy.  Really got to enjoy it together last night.  Got some additional stores and the laundry done.  Dale will have the Traditional Beef Pasty after we prepare for Moving Day tomorrow.  Headed to Frankenmuth MI. We're looking forward to the Christmas Store and Bavarian style community.  Looking forward to the trip over the Mackinac Bridge tomorrow.  Sounds like it makes the Skyway look small.  Seeing it from a distance, it doesn't look too bad.  Tomorrow, up close and personal.  We'll see.

#randr  #laundry  #thunderstorm  #laundrydone  #ready4movingday

Mackinac Island Pictures #2

Mackinac Bridge Evening

In Room Wardrobe

Looking Down Main Stairway

Landing Carpet Design

Parlor off the Porch

Dining Room Setting

View of Lake Michigan from
Lakeshore RV Park