Thursday, July 4, 2024

2024 June 23-29 Trip to NIagara Falls, Canada Bus Trip with Club & Daimond (7 days)


DAY 1: June 23: Sunday:
 

Travel to the en-route hotel(La Quinta Inn & Suites Florence, KY.,350 Meijer Drive Florence, KY stopping for restroom breaks and lunch (you are alone) bus arrives at 7:30 AM. Travel from 8:00 AM to 8:15 PM Staying at the La Quinta Inn Florence, Kentucky room 318 


We stopped at Jack's Restaurant for breakfast in Florence 

Gravy sausage and biscuits and tea. Hubby ordered the special breakfast and we spent $12.22.

We arrived at the Club, loaded our luggage near the orange cones, and went inside for a meeting. 

We were loaded on the bus @8AM.

We stopped at Love's in Columbia, TN for a restroom break. 

We stopped at the north side of Nashville at Zaxby’s White House 800 hwy 76 White House, TN @ 12:08 P.M..

For lunch, we both ordered a shrimp meal and Spent $21.93.

We stopped for dinner at Cracker Barrel in Florence, Ky @6:4 P.M.

I ordered grilled chicken tenders and Fried apples with lemon water and Hubby ordered breakfast. 

One of the women fell on her face and broke her jawbone so Fran took her to the emergency room. 

Then we are going to the hotel for the night hotel room 318 La Quinta Inn Florence, Ky.

William and another passenger took the woman (Joan)to Bowling Green, KY to meet a friend to take the woman home.

They didn’t get back until after 6 A.M. this morning 

Tomorrow is another day of traveling.


Day 2: June 24: Monday: 

Travel- Continental Breakfast at the hotel, stopping for lunch, arrive at Niagara Falls hotel for 4 nights.

Dinner at Eat N Park 7355 Peach St Erie, PA 16509. 

Cross the border and arrive at Days Inn & Suites 5068 Centre Street Niagara. 

Falls, Ontario


For Breakfast, I ate a muffin with apple juice. 

We rode through Cincinnati on I-71, and we are headed to Erie, Pennsylvania. 


I met a woman this morning in the dining room 

She asked where we were from. I laughed and said, Florence, Al.

She said I looked into seeing a doctor there but it was too far.

I told her we were headed to Niagara Falls on the Canadian side. 

I saw her again after breakfast. 

She noticed my name tag. 

She said my name is Sandra but my middle name is Gail

I said so is mine.

She told her friend to take our picture. 

I had her take a picture with my phone. 

I said we could look each other up on Facebook. 


We stopped at Der Dutchman Plain City, Ohio for lunch

Hubby ordered a Dutchman Hamburger. 

I ordered strawberry poppyseed salad and we spent around $ 40.00

I bought a sunflower-designed blanket and a bottle of Lavender body lotion and spent around $28.00,

The women who checked me out said they were going to Alaska. 

I was telling them about our trip to Alaska and we had been just a couple of weeks before.


Back on the road at 1:45 P.M. 

We ate dinner at Eat n Park in Erie, Pennsylvania 

I ordered baked cod with steamed carrots and creamed potatoes with toast

We traveled through Buffalo, New York, and processed through immigration to enter Canada. 

We finally reached our destination. 

The bus was unloaded, and we were given our room keys to room 241 Days Inn & Suites Niagara Falls Centre Street. 

Took our luggage to our rooms and I walked a couple of blocks to get a better view of the ferry wheel. 

Came back to our room took a shower and went to bed it was around midnight. 


Dutchman Plain City Ohio

Day 3: June 25: Tuesday: 

Continental Breakfast at the hotel, 8-9

Depart at 9:20 and arrive at 10-12 Boat ride on Horn Blower (Niagara Cruise, Historic tour of Niagara-on-the-lake, View of Table Rock Point, Queen Victoria Park including famous Flora Clock and view of rapids. Lunch on our own. Dinner at Queen Victoria Place at 6345 Niagara Pkwy Niagara Falls, Ontario, and at 7 PM depart for the casino.


Breakfast consisted of eggs, sausage, and a cookie 

At 9:45 we picked up our guide. 

We rode to the boat area got our tickets took a cable car down to the falls loaded onto the boat and headed to the falls but first, we were all given blue ponchos. 

They said you will get wet.

What a great experience.

After a short trip, we were taken back to the port and disembarked Into a tunnel going up a hill.

We met a couple from South Carolina. 

They had driven to Niagara. 

We talked to them through the tunnels and the elevator. 

When we reached the gift shop we said goodbye. 


We stopped to use the restroom at the Best Overlook Restaurant. 

Our guide mentioned several local restaurants for lunch several in our group chose The Secret Garden Restaurant. Hubby and I split a Codfish, Cole slaw &  chips plate for $20.33.


We walked back to the bus loading area which was parked near the Visitor Center. 

We took the bus back to the hotel and took a nap.

At 4:30 we rode to Victoria Place for dinner.  

We both ordered baked cod with cream potatoes and veggies 

For dessert, we had a blueberry crunch. 

After dinner, we rode back to the hotel. 

Hubby and I walked to the theme park area where we bought tickets to ride the ferry wheel.

What fun!

You could see everything! 

A great view of the falls, the shops, and the people below. 

We stopped in a few shops but didn’t buy anything. 

Came back to the hotel worked on my pictures and went to bed. 

Another long day tomorrow. 


It rained and stormed so we didn’t do the Historic tour of Niagara-on-the-lake, View of Table Rock Point, Queen Victoria Park including the famous Flora Clock and view of rapids.

That will be tomorrow. 

Fireworks at the Falls 

The Floral Clock



Park at Niagara Falls Canada 


Day 4: June 26: Wednesday: 

Continental Breakfast at the Hotel, Guided tour of Niagara Falls Area. We will stop at the Welland Canals Centre and pass through Wine Country, free time, and have dinner at Wrigley’s Best Western Hotel & Conference Center 2 North Service Road St Catharines Ontario. 


Today I went for a walk to the falls from our hotel room with Pam Black.

We left at 6:30 and were back by 7 A.M.

I worked on my pictures and hubby and I had breakfast at 8 AM.

At 9:20 AM we loaded onto the bus and headed for 

Welland Canal and Saint Catharines Museum is located at 1932 Welland Canals Pkwy St Catharines, Ontario.

We walked through the museum learning the history of the Welland Canal. 

I walked outside and I walked up several steps to see the Welland locks and canal below. 

Took pictures of several markers and flowers that were outside. 


Our next stop was The Chocolate Factory located at 335 Four Mile Creek RD Niagara-on-the-lake Ontario.

Our guide talked about the process of making chocolate, 

Packaging the chocolate, and the different types of chocolate. 

We were given samples. 

We also bought a bag of Chocolate Covered Cherries and, a bag of Ginger covered in Chocolate. We bought 4 chocolate-covered caramel. 

Next, we went to the town of Niagara-on-the-lake, Ontario. 

We were dropped off at the visitor center and we took a shuttle into town.

We got off the shuttle behind the Courthouse and were told that was where we would be picked up. 

We went through the apothecary then walked through the park and down to Lake Ontario. 

Stopped for some Fruit Berry ice cream at one of the local shops. 

Hubby had to use the restroom so we walked back to the shuttle pick-up area where the restroom was located.

We saw some people coming out of the basement of the courthouse and a sign that said Visitor information inside, So we headed that way.

We met a woman inside and we talked to her for a while. 

I told her my grandmother was Canadian and that I had relatives living in several Provinces of Canada.

When I left she said goodbye fellow Canadian, Made me feel proud. 


We took the shuttle back to the Visitor Center where the bus was parked.

The bus is leaving at 2:28 P.M.


We stopped at the Bella Terra Vineyard. 

We were all seated at several long tables and given 3 wines to sample. 

We tasted 3 white wines and one red wine. 

They were wines 1,2,3. 

Which are processed from frozen grapes while still on the vines.

Several people purchased several bottles of wine. 

It had been a wonderful day with so much to see but it was getting close to dinner.

We stopped for dinner at Wrigley's 

Everyone was served a Salad, baked fish, veggies, and Potatoes. For dessert, we had chocolate moose and strawberry jello topped with whipped cream.

We rode back to the hotel and I took a nap

At 9 P.M. we rode back to the falls to watch the fireworks show

Back to the hotel.

Tomorrow is another day of adventures. 


Day 5: June 27: Thursday: 

Continental Breakfast at the Hotel, a guided tour of the Niagara Falls area. Free time to stroll and visit the Butterfly Conservatory. Dinner at Ostin’s Restaurant 

327 Ontario Street St Catharines, Ontario 


Today Pam black and I walked to the falls.

We walked through Queen Victoria Park and took pictures along the way.

We saw a rose garden, a lily pond, a statue of George IV, Zimmerman Fountain Pond, and a historic marker of Sir Casimir S. Gqowski.

We came back to the hotel and ate breakfast same as usual. 

We are leaving for the Butterfly Conservatory at 9:45 A.M.

We walked through the Butterfly Conservatory and saw several different species but the place was too crowded to get many pictures.

William and I walked through the botanical gardens which was so much more relaxing there we saw the beautiful rose gardens. 


Our next stop was the Floral Clock. 

The intricate designs on the face of the Floral Clock are created with thousands of carpet-bedding plants and are changed twice each year. The planted face of the Floral Clock is maintained by Niagara Park’s horticulture staff, while the mechanism inside is kept in working order by Ontario Power Generation. The tower at the back of the clock houses Westminster chimes that greet each quarter hour.

Several people got off the bus near Clifton Hill in Niagara Falls and so did we. 

 

Hubby and I walked to the Bird Kingdom in Niagara Falls.

We walked through the bird Kingdom where we saw several different species of birds, lizards, turtles, and frogs.

We began our journey back up Clifton Hill which is a steep hill back to the hotel. 

We rested for a few minutes before heading to the Whirlpool Rapids to ride the Aero Car at 3:30 PM on the Niagara River. Cost $20 each. 


We loaded onto the Aero Car for an unforgettable ride over Niagara River's vibrant, teal-colored waters. Below we saw the swirling Niagara Whirlpool and the river class 6 rapids as we soared 3,500 feet across the Niagara Gorge. 


At 5:30 we rode to St Catharine’s at Ostin's for dinner 

I ate baked chicken, potato wedges, spinach dip, a roll, and raspberry custard pie.

We returned to the hotel. 

Packed for tomorrow we are leaving. 


Day 6: June 28: Friday: 

Continental Breakfast, leave for Cleveland, OH stopping at Cleveland Museum of Natural History stays en route hotel (La Quinta Inn & Suites Florence, Kentucky. 


Finish packing and set our luggage outside the room. 

Started the day at 6:30 with a walk down to the falls with Pam Black. 

It took us about 25 minutes. 

Came back to the hotel collected our carry-on bags, walked downstairs, and ate breakfast.

I ate Eggs, sausage, cookies, and orange slices. 

Loaded onto the bus and began our journey. 

We made a stop at the duty’s free customs shops.

It took over an hour to get through customs. 

We stopped at the Welcome Center in Western Pennsylvania. 

We stopped downtown Cleveland Mall for lunch and ate at Charley's Philly Steaks.

Hubby and I shared a medium Philly sandwich and fries. 

We stopped at the history museum where we saw a few fossils, a couple of dinosaurs, and a historic marker outside. 

The Visitor Hall showcases Haplocanthosarus (Happy) Blato, Dunkleosteus (Dunk) Lucy, the moon rock, and more. 

Then we stopped at Steak  N Shake Grove City, Ohio for dinner.

Hubby and shared a strawberry milkshake with whipped cream and cherries and an order of onion rings. 

It was late when we arrived at La Quinta INN room 404 Florence, Kentucky. 


Welcome to Pennsylvania 


Day 7: June 29: Saturday: 

Continental Breakfast, then leave for home. Should arrive sometime around 5 PM. 


Hubby and I walked across the street to Meijer, a suppercent, where we bought a Diet Mountain Dew, One banana, one ham and cheese sandwich, and one chicken salad sandwich cost $12.58.

Now waiting in the lobby we are leaving at 8:30 A.M.

We stopped at Pilot to refuel the bus and for a restroom break.


We played bingo for a couple of hours on the bus.  

We ate a late lunch at Friday Opry Mills in Nashville, TN

Hubby and I shared a rib and shrimp plate with macaroni, cheese, and Cole slaw. Cost about $30


Told stories and some sang Christian songs on the bus.


We arrived at the Club around 5 P.M.

We drove straight to North Florence where Hazel was celebrating her third birthday with a birthday party. 

The kids were all outside in the inflatable swimming pool.

I told Hazel Happy Birthday and Hayne said they had already sung Happy Birthday. They had pizza and birthday cake but we had already eaten and were not hungry.

Hayne and Scott both got stung by a yellow jacket.

We stayed until about 6 P.M.

Hubby wasn’t feeling well.

We rode home unloaded the car and went to bed

Cleveland History Museum


Thursday, June 20, 2024

2024 June 15, 17,18,19, 20 with Ava

2024 June 15, Saturday 

Atlas Birthday Party @ Launch Pad Elgin

 I picked up Ava and we rode to the Elgin LaunchPad 

Atlas is turning 4! Calling all cowboys, cowgirls, and space rangers 

June 15, at 12-2 pm

Don’t forget your jumping socks 

We were served pizza, chips, and birthday cake 

The kids had fun on the launchpad 

We watched Atlas blow out his 4 candles.

I bought Hazel a birthday present because we will be out of town on her birthday, June 29. 

Hazel was having a bad day 

So I gave her her present a very colorful doll

She wouldn’t put it down

I gave Atlas a soccer ball and an Adventure Force Clash Force Combo Auto Advanced with four guns and 20 bullets.


2024 June 17, Monday Ava & River 

Today I rode to Andy’s to see River and Ava 

They were still in the bed but not sleeping 

They quickly jumped into the swimming pool and played 

River said she was hungry and wanted McDonald 

So I said Ask Pawpaw

They dressed and we headed to McDonald 

River ordered a cheeseburger with only cheese bread and meat (which he called ham)

Ava ordered 6 pieces of chicken nuggets with fries 

I ordered filet fish with fries

The kids enjoyed their meal while playing with their kid’s meal toy 

Inside out 2 toy play and score toy

I bought hubby 2 McDoubles and 2 small fries 

We came back to my house and the kids enjoyed playing in the playroom until 1:30

Then we took them back to Andy’s 

River’s mom was on her way to pick up River.

They have a long drive home. 



2024 June 18, Tuesday Ava & River 

River and Ava came over while Andy went to work. 

The kids played in the playroom.

I rode them on the gator

River loved the ride he was pretending he was in one of his video games

They ate hotdogs no bread

Fruit, candy, and snacks all-day

They watched tv 

River’s parents came by around 2 pm they had spent the day in 

Memphis 

They slept late 

A long ride home about 5 to 6 hours 

Andy came for Ava later 

I went to bed early I was tired 


2024, June 19, Wednesday AVA

Today we rode to town.

My two big toes have a fungus and I went to Doctor McCutchens and she gave me a prescription for meds to heal my toes.

We stopped at Ollie and bought some body wash and some oatmeal raisin cookies. 

We took Ava to McFarland Park to play

She wanted to go to a museum but she settled for the park 

She had fun with several other kids 

I did some birding and took pictures 

We ate lunch at Chick-fil-A 

We stopped at Foodland and talked to Ronald he gave Ava some mints 

We picked up my prescription at Killen Drugs 

We rode up to Greenhill and bought some peaches and a watermelon 

Had a fun day 


Afternoon visit near Muscle Shoals Reservation Trail

Today Thursday, June 20, we rode to Rockpile TVA 

Ava and I walked to the waterfalls

Stopping to take pictures 

We saw a red-bellied Woodpecker in the top of a rotten tree

We saw a redtail hawk and a couple Great Blue Herons and we heard several different bird sounds 

Ava played on the playground but it was too hot and no other kids were there 

We rode to McFarland Park lots of kids but none on the playground 

So we walked up the path to a couple of large boulders where I took several photos 

We rode to Panda Express for lunch 

We ordered a large plate 

Ava ate the noodles 

I ate the walnut shrimp 

Hubby orange chicken and broccoli with beef 

Hubby went next to get a haircut 

While Ava and I stayed at Panda Express 

We came home and Ava and hubby watched Sponge Bob 

2024 Saturday September 7, Train Trip from Chattanooga to Chickamauga, Ga

  Saturday, we had to be in Scottsboro by 7AM about a 2-hour drive. Loaded onto the bus. I think there were 30 of us including the driver. W...