The journey began, part 5

I love Niagara Falls, our next stop on the way to seeing the fall colors in the Northeast.  We stayed at 4 Miles Creek State Park from 9/18-9/26, one of the longest stays on this trip.  We think this may have been the same park where we stayed with our boys 25+ years ago.  It was beautiful and the sunsets were fabulous.  Everyone gathered at the waters edge each night to watch. It was a great park to ride our bikes around.  The sites were very spacious and so relaxing. They did not have sewer hook-ups but we survived.  Since it was after Labor Day, the camping fees were half price and it also entitled you free parking at Niagra Falls State Park.

4 Miles Creek State Park

We went on The Maid of the Mist boat tour by the falls.  Guaranteed to get you wet, but you can't beat the views.  The tour comes with a complimentary raincoat, albeit a very thin one.

We visited Niagara Falls State Park, the oldest state park.  A walk to Goat Island and Luna Island  with breathtaking views of the falls, and 3 Sisters Island.  One day we even  took Krikkit to see the falls.

Niagara Falls State Park looking towards Canada

We went over to Canada one day, but not to see the Falls.   We stopped and watched sailboats on the Niagara and stopped at several wineries at Niagara-on-the-Lake.  We chose 4 to visit and the first one we stopped at, Frogpondfarms, was organic. Toured one, Between the Lines(the red barn).  Our personal tour guide was a nice chap from Britain.  He was actually going to school at Niagara College to become a winemaker.   He said a lot of wineries from all over send their people to Niagara-on-the-lake to learn winemaking.  There are over 100 wineries in this area, some smaller and some HUGE.  Lots of competition.  Grape vines everywhere.  Grapes were nearly ripe so the vines were full.  Learned a lot about growing grapes and the wine making process.   Parking was far away, and we've seen the falls from Canada before, so we just looked at the falls as we crossed the bridge back over to the U.S.

Between the Lines Winery

Mall on the American side.

The Canadian side of the Falls was built up with stores and restaurants, but the American side was dilapidated and quite disappointing.  The Falls, however, are never disappointing.