2018 Exploring New York - Stop 2 - Niagara Falls

Our second stop found us in the Niagara Falls KOA located in Lewiston, NY. While it was not the closest to the Canadian border, it was affordable, clean, had good washers and dryers (that I needed to make serious use of) and an owner who went above and beyond to make my stay productive and pleasant.

While exploring the US side of the Falls, we were shocked by the sheer number of foreign travelers. I know that sounds like a strange comment - after all, we were at one of the biggest tourist destinations in North America, but there were SO MANY more here than I've ever seen anywhere else, including Walt Disney World. 

I determined on this trip, that while it took nature millions of years to create Niagara Falls, it took mankind only about 100 years to turn it into a tacky tourist trap. 

If only it was THIS GOOD.

The US side was very run-down. The roads were in terrible condition and Niagara Falls Park provided dirty restrooms and a horrible 'pay-to-ride' "hop on trolley" that had people crammed to "standing room only." The putrid smell of body odor on a hot and humid day had us opting to walk instead of ride. 

I found it sad that on both sides there was no way to access the falls without having to participate in a paid group tour. I was expecting to experience a serene moment hiking down to the Falls, but that didn't happen on either side. I don't mean to come across as cheap, but I was looking for an intimate encounter, not something resembling a flash mob scene. The Canadian side was full of neon lights for Ripley's Believe it or Not (yup...I couldn't believe it), wax museum, motorized car track, Ferris Wheel, t-shirt shops, and loads of fast food restaurants. It all just seemed out of place to me.

The act of "Border Crossing" was interesting. On one day, we waited over an hour on line, and the very next day we breezed right through. It didn't really matter the time of day, it mattered only by the Border Guard occupying the booth on the line you chose. It was very similar to a supermarket check-out line...We always choose the wrong line! I do hope there is a lot of discrete metal detecting and covert surveillance going on at the crossings, because it seemed way too easy to cross. Interestingly, even though we were not carrying any contraband, it was a bit nerve-racking having to answer the simplest of questions. 

On the third day up in Niagara we experienced heavy rains and it was "THE DAY" that I needed to book Fast Passes for an upcoming Disney Trip. This neck of the woods, like the last, had terrible cell service so I was a little worried that I would need to drive somewhere early in the morning to find a location where I could find cell signal to book the passes, but the KOA owner, after I explained my dilemma, very generously offered to provide me with the password to her personal Internet. I'll be giving kudos in that campground review.

As it turned out, since I was working on the front porch of the KOA in the torrential rain at 7:30 AM, there was a strong signal that allowed me to get the job done. Everyone else, including George and Lucy, seemed to have slept late. It took me four hours to get the job completed, but in less than 40 days, Disney, here we come! 

Small Talk Winery - a young vineyard - comfortable and casual.

The rest of that day and most of the next found us in Niagara on the Lake in Ontario - a town noted for its great Rieslings and Ice Wines. It was a wine-lovers haven. My designated driver was very generous and patient while we made stop after stop and I explored and tasted to my heart's content.  I added a few more bottles to my collection of "wines from the north." I was impressed with most of the wines I tasted. You won't find any heavy-oaked Chardonnay or Cabernet Sauvignon, but they were interesting and tasty. As I look back now, it seems like the wineries all blended together, but some stick out more than others, like Small Talk Winery.

Acres and acres of vines. Rancourt was bigger and a tad more formal. 

Strewn provided a very nice tasting. I was offered tastes of two additional wines, which was not a common occurrence.

Months ago, I had booked reservations for dinner at The Skylon Tower's revolving dining room in Ontario. It was an experience I would recommend to anyone wanting the most spectacular view of both the US and Canadian Falls. The acoustics were awful and the hostesses disorganized, but the meal - despite the din of clattering dishes, tinkling silverware and clinking of glassware - was delicious enough to distract from those negatives. 

Skylon Tower, US and Canadian Falls-bottom right, lit up at dusk.

Lobster Dinner with a killer view.

Canadian Falls top right, US center.

A trip up to Niagara Falls had been on my bucket list for years. Perhaps the hype, expectations and anticipation were to blame for my "less-than-stellar" experience.  The Falls are magnificent. The commercialism is disappointing. My "Deep Thought" sums up my feelings.

Next blog - Stop #3 - my favorite of the entire journey! Letchworth State Park.

Deep thought for the day:  Big expectations often lead to small gratifications. ~vc

Exploring Upstate New York

When I opened my blog to start this entry, I realized how lazy I had become. Either that, or I hadn't been doing anything worthy of documenting. However, every day should be treated as it's special, so I'll give a quick synopsis of what's been going on since our Valentine's Day bash. 

A lot of time was spent in the pool, a trip out to Colorado for a week to babysit, a couple of trips to see “The Mouse” with friend, Amanda, a couple of lunch dates with friend, Tricia and too many doctor and vet appointments filled most of my days.  

Friends Kristin and Rob flew down to FL a few times and during one of their trips the subject came up that I liked to make cards. Then, almost out of nowhere, Kristin "commissioned" me to make Thank You cards for her daughter's upcoming bridal shower. I hadn't made any cards in a long time and all of my supplies were up north, but the thought of tapping into my creative side sparked an interest, so I agreed with eager anticipation. 

I didn't realize how much I had missed crafting and this project catapulted me into creative heaven. A few trips to the craft store had me well-supplied and on the "production line." It felt good. It also helped to fill the days while George worked lots of hours at Lowe’s. His little part-time hobby has started to resemble a full-time job.  

Here is a sampling of the cards I've made:

Rainy days seem to have me making sympathy cards.

We arrived in NY the beginning of June and had plans to take a few weeks to explore some of upstate NY's treasures, including Niagara Falls, the beautiful Finger Lakes Region, Letchworth State Park and Lake George. 

I’ve lived all of my life in NYS and it dawned on me that in my 60+ years, I have traveled so little within the “Empire State.” While I have a lot of negative feelings towards NY – in particular, the taxes and Governor Andrew Cuomo, I had visited some very beautiful places over the years and wanted to visit and re-visit some this summer.

Croton Point Park is our NY home base, and it has changed very little since our last visit. It is still in desperate need of some TLC and better management. It is a beautiful location, situated on a peninsula that juts out into the majestic Hudson River and depending upon the time of year, you can view owls, eagles, red-tailed hawks and woodpeckers, along with a multitude of song birds, such as warblers, cardinals, robins, wrens and sparrows. The park is also host to coyotes, fox, rabbits, deer, squirrels and a group of feral cats of which I find myself getting too attached.

We are in site 47, which has us nestled beneath two pine trees. After the blasting sun in Florida, the shade was a welcome respite. Although only 30 amps and low water pressure, we were enjoying our little piece of the park to the fullest. As time passed, pine needles and dripping sap made a mess of the roof of the RV and ground. We have plans to move to a different site, but can't do so until September 1st.

The 2018 vacation began on August 1st when we hooked up in the parking lot on a day threatening heavy rains and storms. We headed out for Stop #1 of five: Cayuga State Park in Seneca Falls.

The photo speaks for itself......We're the little Blue Dot.

Stop #1, - Two nights at Cayuga Lake State Park, in Seneca Falls. It was a lovely park and campground that provided us with water, electric, nice showers and was conveniently located at the top of Seneca Lake, the longest of the Finger Lakes. It’s also smack dab in the center of wine country – my favorite type of country.

Tents

Cabins

Little Miss parked at the end of the road

Dumpsters - Cayuga...vs..

Croton Point Park Dumpsters.....

Lake Seneca Welcome Center

Lake Seneca-very cloudy day, but a welcome break from the rain.

We still haven't mastered "The Selfie."

Very common site in our travels, but I never saw these in such perfect bloom before.

Welcome Center lunch - where you can even buy a glass of local wine!

Lunch along the lake.

One of the best photos I took on the trip...Driver's Ed car...must have been after the "Parking" instruction.

We were able to visit three vineyards while in the area:  Ventosa, Fox Run and 3 Brothers Winery. I stocked up with at least a bottle or two from each one. I can't wait to sort out all the wines and my tasting notes.

Ventosa Vineyard-wish they gave you the glass....

3 Brothers Winery

To be continued...with Stop #2, Niagara Falls.

Deep thought for the day:  Find JOY in the little things. I find I get too caught up on the trivial things. We all need to focus on the PRESENT.....the actual gift that is TODAY. ~vc

Happy Valentine's Day 2018 - Florida Style

"Howwwww-dy" to all the dedicated followers of my blog. Yes, all seven of you.  As you know, it's been FOREVER since my last entry, which was from way back in the spring of 2017. I'll eventually finish up my draft of our "Summer Sojourn," but for now, I'm feeling creative so I'll try to generate something worth reading now.

Yesterday was Valentine's Day and George and I hosted our first official, big bash, dinner party on our pretty little piece of heaven here in Florida. We started with a small list of tried-and-true friends and little by little my list grew to allow us to fill our lot with old, new, newer and newest friends who melded together ever-so-smoothly.

I'm my own worst critic, but even I have to admit the night was totally enjoyable, made possible by the food, the friends and fun. Can't beat that combo.

Thanks to Charlie, one of the "old" (Webster Dictionary Definition: adjective - long-time) friends, a photo documentary of the evening follows. Today, I had a less-busy day than he, therefore the publishing of my blog entry will beat out his, however, it's his photos that will tell the actual story in the end. A huge thank you, Charlie, the longest-known friend of the bunch.

This first group of photos consists of the appetizers. I came to find out that, in the future, I need to instruct my friends to NOT make spectacular "main course" appetizers.

Veggie "Pizza"

Spinach Dip

Dungeness Crab Dip

Uh, just a little Italian Antipasti....

Picured left, Amanda.  Not pictured: Amanda's delicious appetizer - just simple rounds of  Polenta topped with caramelized onions, cranberry jam and goat cheese.  OMG - simple, yeah. The caramelized onions alone took 8 hours in a crock pot and the homemade cranberry jam...yummmmm  Remember folks, we're living out of RVs. There were leftovers of this app, but I ate those before composing this entry.

George, Tricia, Me, Connie, Randy and back of  Rob's head.

Randy and Alonzo

Kristin, Connie, Ray and Leona

Bob, Rob, and Randy-not a musical trio, but entertaining, nonetheless

Tricia and Leona

Dinner followed just as the sun set.  I failed to realize that it would be difficult to see the food on the black tablecloth.  A handy-dandy flashlight saved us from having to feel our way down the table of food.

Meat sizzling on the monster grill

Surf....

and turf.

Healthy sides: Green and yellow squash, mushrooms and onions.

Craig, The "Great Grill Master."  I heard a comment that he resembled Mark Wahlbergh and that he smelled good.

Kristin and Connie

Leona, Bob, Kristin, Alonzo and the back of Amanda's head.

"Fair Weather" friends. Me, Tricia and Charlie.

Last, but not least, Kathy!

Tricia's Crumb Cake

Tricia's back-up cake, just in case the crumb cake was a flop - it wasn't

Recreation of the bride cutting the cake. PS:  Husband waiting for a piece - of cake!!!

Kathy's Healthy and Tasty Fruit Salad

Connie's "Cupcake Lover's Heaven."

Lucy, the only one happy to see the night come to an end.

At the end of our official "first big bash," we got the site cleaned up with "a little help from our friends." Miss Priss (AKA Lucy) was the only one happy to see the night come to a close. She was hankering pretty badly for her daddy's lap. 

Now to start planning the next.....

Deep thought for the day:  It's the friends we meet along the way that helps us appreciate the journey. ~ Unknown source.