Two Days in Niagara Falls

Richard and I hadn't been to Niagara Falls in a long, long time.  Since we were in the area, we decided it was time for another visit.  Both of us really enjoy waterfalls and it was time to ride the Maid of the Mist!



Maid of Mist Below Falls

Niagara Falls

We received a 5 hour ride from a club member, Joanne MacPeek, from Haliburton, Canada to Buffalo, New York. Joanne spent most of her adult life here and was a teacher in the local Catholic schools.  She showed us around Buffalo and we were impressed by the beautiful waterfront area.  We enjoyed lunch with her at the Marriott and then she dropped us off at the airport so that we could pick up our rental car. 


Rapids Above Falls



Maid of Mist Below Elevator Tower




On the Maid of the Mist

The Blue Man

Maid of Mist Under Falls

A short time later we checked into our hotel and went down to the falls.  Luckily it was a beautiful late afternoon so we decided it was time for the Maid of the Mist.  We paid our admission and donned our raincoats.  Oh, it was glorious seeing those falls and feeling the spray hit us!  Of course, Richard took lots of pictures.


Whirl Pool Rapids Along Niagara Gorge Rim Trail

The next day we hiked the Niagara Gorge Rim Trail and then  toured of Old Fort Niagara.  It was well worth the trip.  The tour was excellent and there were lots of soldiers playing the part.  We certainly refreshed our school learning of the War of 1812 and enjoyed the firing of the muskets and history of the place.

Swirling Whirl Pool



Old Fort Niagara - Western Bank of Lake Ontario 

British Infantry Solider

 



British Artillery Solider



Haliburton Friendship Force Club

We hitched another ride with Sue and Rob for an approximately 4-1/2 hour trip northeast to the lake area of Haliburton.  We arrived at the home of our hosts, Mary Lou & Bob Macklin, who have a gorgeous lake home.  We were housed in the "Bunkie" - Canadian term for the upstairs garage apartment with its own bathroom.  Very nice!   We stayed a week with this wonderful Friendship Force Club (June 21-28).




With our Wonderful Hosts, Bob and Mary Lou at Wintergreen for Welcome Breakfast 

 

Cottage Road

 

Bunkie over the garage where we stayed



Great welcome BBQ

Lake below Cottage

The next morning our group was treated to a Welcome Breakfast at Wintergreen.  This place was really cute.  It looked like an old-time cabin in the woods featuring a lavish breakfast with homemade maple and other flavored syrups. 




Sampling syrup flavors with Owner Operator 




Wintergreen Restaurant, Wedding Venue, Maple Syrup Producer and Possum Brotherhood Headquarters 

We traveled to a fish hatchery for a tour, then onto a Sculpture Forest Tour (fantastic sculptures in the woods) and finally, our group of 20 were treated to a Welcome BBQ at the Macklin's cottage.  They have a very active group (about 50 in the club) and it seemed that most of them were there to welcome us.

 




Fish hatchery Tour



With Jack at the local radio station




Meeting one of the Disc Jockeys

Ice Cream in Haliburton courtesy of Jack




The Curling Club



Before Breakfast at the Legion



Downtown Haliburton







Peterborough Lift Lock on the Trans Severn Waterway, Highest in the World



Canoes and boat dropping down



Hundreds of canoes celebrate Canada's 150 birthday!



Close up of canoes transiting lift lock

Geocaching at Kinark Outdoor Centre, a Camp for Autistic Children & Their Families 

On Friday, we went geo-caching at Kinark's Outdoor Center and were hosted at a lovely salmon dinner at the home of Paul & Jan Mutter.  Saturday's agenda was a trip to Petroglyphs Provincial Park, a Canadian Canoe Museum Tour and for us, the highlight was viewing the canoes transiting the Peterborough Lift Lock, the largest lift lock in the world on the Trent Severin Waterway.  Sunday's highlights were the Camp Wanakita Strawberry Social and a Voyageur Canoe Ride.  Monday incorporated a Visit to the Wolf Center where we saw baby wolves nursing (many of our Canadian friends had never seen this).   We then had a lovely tour and lunch at Abbey Gardens, Tour of Haliburton Wind & Solar company and their Brewery and Tasting Room.  We had a delicious ham dinner that night at the home of members, Joan & Jim Cochlin.  On Tuesday, we toured the town and had a rousing Farewell Dinner at Peppermill Restaurant.  As with Stratford/St.Mary's, it was difficult to say goodbye to these great Canadians! 

Baby Wolves nursing

A GREAT looking group after Sculpture Garden Tour

On the Voyageur 3 Canoe paddling along on a wonderful Sunday afternoon

More Friendship Force Canoers

Richard, Joanne, Sue and Rob enjoy the visit!

Petroglyphs

Joanne LOVES Canada!