Day 4 (2011) - O, Canada!

[Editor's Notes:  This really isn't a funny entry (but you can still read it), as the day didn't present any truly funny, ironic or sarcastic moments.  Also, once again having issues uploading photos, so they may be part of a different post if I get it to work.]

The day started out for us with a very nice, complimentary, breakfast at the Embassy Suites (not sure what the people at the Red Roof Inn had, but frankly, I don't care).  We then headed towards Syracuse University to check it out.  Since we had a few hours drive ahead of us, we didn't really spend too much time on campus.  We spent more time picking out t-shirts for the boys (which we probably could have gotten for half the price at Modells), and a little Orange guy for Amanda.  At around noon, after a pit stop at a local post office to mail a package for a More Than Paper client, we headed off towards Niagara Falls.

The drive was about 2.5 hours, and we stopped for lunch at a Subway a little bit before the border.  On a side note, for those of you that read last year's blog, I spent a lot of time writing about all of the outstanding meals we ate along the way.  This year the food has been average at best.  The food was tasty at Quincy Market, but other than that I am not sure we have had anything that we would call memorable.  Maybe it's just that the food in the South was so different that it made an impact, but I also think the choices were just better and more interesting.  There are still a bunch of days left this summer, so maybe it will turn around.  I hope so.

We finally made it into Canada around 4:00, after waiting about 30 minutes to cross the border.  I had decided to stay on the Canadian side, which in looking over at the US side seems to have been the right call.  I had always kind of assumed that visiting Niagara Falls was like that scene from "Vacation" where Chevy Chase takes about 3 seconds to look at the Grand Canyon.  Water.  Check.  OK, let's move on.  But it turned out to surprise me.  It is quite an impressive display.  There are a bunch of things you can do in connection with seeing the Falls, but the one that seemed the most fun was the Maid of the Mist boat ride.  It was a ton of fun.  Debbie absolutely loved the ride, and her quote was "Now the trip begins!"  They give you ponchos before you board, then slowly head towards the Horseshoe Falls and actually get pretty close.  Even with the ponchos we all got wet and it was really cool being that close.

After the boat ride, we headed to the hotel (another Embassy Suites, same kind of room as Syracuse), then once again took advantage of the Manager's Reception for a drink and some snacks.  We then headed for a walk by the Falls, and were able to get really close to the top of the Horseshoe Falls.  Again, cool.

By now the troops were getting hungry (and cranky) and we headed back up to the hotel.  To get there we took a short incline ride to avoid a very long uphill walk.  After spending more than we had planned on the night before at dinner, and also having spent more than we needed to on Syracuse t-shirts, we kind of wanted something quick and cheap.  We got a recommendation for a pizza/pasta place near the hotel and went there.  Again, not a memorable meal at all, but it served its purpose.

At night at The Falls, they light up the falls (my mother would appreciate that, getting to see The Falls all lit up), and on Friday and Sunday nights they also have fireworks over The Falls.   Our room overlooks The Falls, so we were able to see it all from the comfort of our room.

Everyone bathed (adults showered, kids used Jacuzzi) and we called it a night.  Tomorrow we head to Toronto for 2 days.