Day 19 -- Falls Fever

Wow, did we have a great day. We went to visit Niagara Falls, and it is indeed spectacular. I know it is full of tourists, but sometimes that is for a good reason! Our hotel was walking distance to the a great overlook of the Falls, and then we took a funicular (steep train) down to the street right on the Falls. We took some photos (not that they can convey the beauty and force of the Falls), and then did a walk called “Journey Through the Falls” [ed note: according to the website, this appears to be called 'Journey BEHIND the Falls', but we'll let you off this time...] which actually went down to the base of Horseshoe Falls (the Canadian side), and then walked through tunnels that took us behind them. So there we were right BEHIND Horseshoe Falls [ed note: hence the name of the walk]. There was a tremendous spray, and we got a little damp, but fortunately the cost of the walk included a really cheesy yellow plastic poncho with a hood.

After we saw everything worthwhile on the Canadian side, we went back to the USA and went to Goat Island, which had a walk out to the TOP of the American Falls, almost to the edge. It was a wonderful morning, and showed us how great things are when you can do so many things on the spur of the moment. (So far, not working has its benefits, although not getting a paycheck is not so great.) I would recommend Niagara Falls to anyone who gets a chance to go. Just stay away from the tourist trap “towers” and ferris wheels that promise great views. The Falls can be seen just as well without those things.

We are staying in Ithaca, home of Cornell University, in the Finger Lakes region of New York. We picked a place called Best Western University, thinking it would be near the campus with a lot of ambience, maybe on the Lake, and it turned out to be in a strip-mall on the outskirts of the town. Oh well, it actually is quite nice. Tomorrow before we leave Ithaca, we’ll check out the campus, and maybe spy Lake Cayuga. [ed note: did you know there's a Cayuga Lake Wine Trail? Something for your next trip perhaps...]

We only have to drive a few more miles, and we’ll be in White Plains with the Olson kids! Apparently, Toby doesn’t have school on Friday, so Kara asked if we’d babysit. Can’t wait!

• New out of state license plate seen: VERMONT (finally!), Nova Scotia
• Days till we see Toby & Beruria: Tomorrow!!
• Days till we see Paige and Ashley: 16 (You may have noticed this jumped by a few days -- I had been counting the days wrong all along.)