The Last Week in the USA

Canada Bound

Next, we head North for our 9-week journey into Canada.  We have decided to get up early on Saturday morning and try our hand at crossing the border at the Queenston-Lewiston Bridge.  I have read it is one of the top 4 busiest places to cross over into Canada from New York.  But Dennis thinks we should get it over with early so we won't be stressed about it all day.  Since he does the driving I guess that's what we'll be doing.  On the 4th of July, we decided to check out Niagara-on-the-Lake and plus it would give us a chance on testing the water going through customs at that check point. We had no problem with just the truck.  I have to admit that I am still very nervous about taking the 5th wheel through.  I have spent hours upon hours this week researching the do's and don't's on what we can carry across in our 5th wheel.  I've seen on youtube where folks have been turned away or fined $300 just because they forgot a apple in the refridge!  So in preparation for the crossing, we have tried to eat or drink as much wine, whiskey, milk, cheese, eggs, fruit, and bread as possible this week.  I think I have gained 5 lbs!

The drive to Niagara-on-the-Lake took us by tons of Wineries! I have never seen so many!  Unfortunately, we did not stop at any of them because I knew I couldn't buy any and tasting without being able to buy is just cruel punishment.  So instead I took notes of some of the ones we passed and will be buying them once we get into Canada.  I figured I could try quite a few of them by the time our 9 weeks are over.  I'll be sure to post the results of my taste tests.

Whirlpool Park

On Tuesday, after D got off work, we decided to check out Whirlpool State Park.  This state park is free.  It has two levels; the river's edge and the street level.  The street level has many scenic overlooks and spectacular views of the Whirlpool and rapids.  This was well worth the trip.  The views were stunning and the trails were great.

From the scenic overlook, we watched folks on the Whirlpool Jet Boat (via Old town Lewiston) and could hear them screaming from all the way up top.  With the way that dude was driving, the boat trip is definitely for thrill-seekers.  There is also a river level via a steep staircase located down the walking trail.  However, when we got to the stairs we found out it was 330 steps down and decided it was just too hot of a day.  So we trekked back up the trail and headed to Walmart in the city of Niagara Falls to pick up a new bike rack I had ordered to replace the one I bought through Amazon.

Fort Niagara and the Erie Canal

On Wednesday, we traveled to the small town of Youngstown to visit Fort Niagara.  The fort did not disappoint.  Hundreds were setting up tents for the 40th annual recreation of the historic siege of 1759 during the French and Indian War.  The event features battles reenactments, siege demonstrations, exhibitions of 18th-century medicine, living conditions in the camp, and musket firing.  Come to find out, this is the largest French and Indian War event in the world!

After visiting the fort, we drove about 30 minutes east to the town of Lockport to check out the Erie Canal lock.  I was hoping to see a boat come through but no such luck.  Since it was dinner time, we decided to find somewhere to eat. We came across this cute and very popular restaurant on the main street and decided to give it a shot.  Our first clue that service might be slow was the fact that they were blocking off the main street as we approached.  Come to find out from our server, the city's 4th of July parade was about to start at 7 pm.  We thought great, dinner AND a parade (well at least I did, seems D isn't a fan of parades).  We had 40 minutes to eat and then step outside and watch the parade. Just our luck, we walked out well over an hour later and caught the very last vehicle and I mean the very last one in the parade.  Oh well, it was still was a fun trip.

Lock 34 Restaurant

Mural on Main street, Lockport, NY

 

Final Thoughts

That pretty much ended our week in Niagara Falls.  I do have to confess that I was very surprised by the actual city of Niagara Falls, NY.  We found it rather sad.  Most of the shops and restaurants are gone, buildings boarded up, and streets were blocked off due to construction.  The only things in the town were the falls, a few parks, and what few things there were to do around the casino.  If you are looking for some touristy things that Americans are used to seeing then you will need to hop over the river into Canada.  It has it all... Ripley's, go-carts, Ferris Wheel, a wax museum, etc..

Here's to making it across the border with all our stuff!

Notes from Dennis:
I find myself late in the evenings - being the night owl that I am - becoming more in tune with the surroundings of each of the parks.  I have noticed that, without exception, at each park that we have been to since this adventure began, one can hear a distant train sounding its horn as it makes it lonely passing through the night.  Trains move the fabric of our lives even while we sleep.  From food to the mail to those must-have products we cannot live without.  What would we do without the trains?  Have you heard your local train lately?