It’s a Wrap!

 🎶Our bags are packed and we’re ready to go🎶.  Yeah, it is time to click my ruby red slippers and say “There is no place like home” then do the 90 minute drive back to the airport, return the rental car. Oops, forgot the fill the tank unless you want to pay double to have them do it part. Then grab our bags of dirty clothes and head for the queue to check in.  Sad to see our adventure over.  The breath of true spring, the roar of the Falls and getting out of the familiar rut will be missed.  Hello, 2 suitcases of dirty laundry-meet you in the rut on Mother’s Day.  

So, you can ask what we did on Friday…since Thursday was the snooze fest.  We do what old people do.  Reconnect with people we have not seen in 44 years and have possibly 2-3 hours of awkward conversation over a meal.  Wow, those Pickles know how to party.  Thanks to Facebook for making those opportunities available for us old people.  As a person who identifies as OCD, I do not do Facebook….do I get an identifying pronoun?   I saw that Rabbit Hole for what it was when it was not much more that an idea.  While I follow lots of threads on the www, not a big on the social media platforms….it is a “blue” job…so, Eddie is our designated Fber.  He has reconnected with people literally across the globe…to include some of his pals from JAG in Washington, DC days.  (1976-1980). When we started planning this adventure, Eddie reached out to one of these pals that has a law practice in Medina, NY, about  25 miles north of Buffalo…which is the other way to get to Niagara Falls.  Lance (the NY lawyer) made recommendations and where to stay, what to see, and tipped us off to staying the bulk of our time here in Niagara on the Lake.  He also mentioned that he and his second wife (we knew the first from back in the day) Patty (classic, he married his secretary) would drive up and meet us for lunch.  Eddie said “great, sure, love to”…as you do.  So, lunch reservations for 4 at a highly rated local restaurant at 11:30 Friday it is.  

Talk about performance anxiety…when I was growing up, there was an expression-don’t discuss money, religion or politics-full circle moment on that advise these days…when you get to this point in life…acceptable convos revolve around adult children, grands, travel and the dreaded medical procedures.  Apparently, Lance and Patty had the same conversation in the car on the way up…by the time we were being served lunch we were laughing and chatting as if we had been friends for a long time.  We even went there in the taboo subjects-same page as we are.  Go figure.  Guess it is why we were friends in the Navy days…birds of a feather and all.    In the traditional Dick measuring department…Lance has two (without medical assistance, I might add) sets of twins (F,M,F,M) from his first wife and Patty has two (F,M) adult  children-all between 35-47 years old with spouses and subsets of grands…21 of those…point Team Marks.  Eddie would have trouble remembering names and ages, never mind birthdays and interests.    Lance is still practicing law, Eddie has been retired for 12 years…point Pickle, depends on point of view?  Both boys enjoy good food and spirits and minimal exercise.  Eddie can claim a point for as he has the best blood work money (and pharma) can buy with a team of doctors and specialists on speed dial.  Lance sees his GP every couple of years….hey, I told you it was a small town.    Travel …it is a push.  With that many children and grands from Manhattan to Seattle, they are leading in the frequent grandparent miles, so point Team Marks.  However, Team Pickle scored big in seeing their grands often.  It was a push for international, too-turns out they are avid cruisers also. In fact, we enjoyed lunch so much, they were sad to leave us, but they are packing for a cruise trip departing Sunday.  We parted with hugs and a promise to compare cruises schedules.  

Well, folks, it’s a wrap.  We travel again in August, until then, stay safe out there.  

Whining and Dining

 Eddie and I both find Canadians generally warm and friendly…exceedingly polite-that would be the tad British side, not necessarily the French side.  They don’t seem as tense and angry as us Americans have become…it has  been great to be able to walk the tree lined streets, duck into pocket parks and city parks without looking over your shoulder or feeling threaten in any way. Not much graffiti either, and no one talks about politics or politicians, Covid or the economy …Tucker, who?   It has been a throwback to a kinder, gentler time.  It is the souvenir I would like to bring home with me and keep.  

As the sun came up on Thursday, wait for it, you all know it is coming - Eddie decided to sleep in.  There you have it, our dirty little secret.  Eddie is good for usually 5 days of traveling and touring…but he will declare for himself a day off around day 6.  Well, Eddie is out of practice, call is Covid hangover, but with a dyi wine day on the books, he declare a day off. Surprise!  Day 4-Eddie, Eddie, Eddie-you must be getting old.  It must have been the thought of Ice Wine and White wines -no reds that convinced him that he needed to sleep until noon.    Thank goodness I did not book the My Wine Country van tour that picks you up and drives you to multiple wineries with a heavy Italian lunch and home for 5:00 tour…and charges you a pretty looney (Canadian for Dollar) to do so.  But you know me, I am up with the sun on most days.  So, me and Apple Watch set out for a solo adventure.  My watch was so happy :) that we were stretching our activity circle.

Back to our friendly Canadians-at breakfast.  Cruise training kicked in and I struck up a friendly conversation with an adjacent table couple.  I judged her to be around my age and the alpha-husband was older but attentive.  She had retired and become a wine something…it is a Certification below Sommelier.  She took the courses and got this do-dad certification and went to work for a Wine importer.  They spend their time traveling the world procuring wines for this importer…dang, why didn’t Eddie do that….or at least become a craft bourbon or liquor certified do-dad.  Paid for travel, and hob nobbing with the vintner, and telling him lies (or truths) about his product.  They live in Toronto, but love the Niagara on the Lake region.  They come here once a month at invitation of multiple wineries.  Gee, hard life, but someone needs to sort the good from the bad.  She was quite chatty-must be all the wine she consumes.  She said while the ice wine is good, and the white wines decent - she find the product extraordinary overpriced.  She said that  they can import (remember we are in Canada-another country) from the US west coast a better tasting white at a much more attractive price than the wines from here or British Columbia.  Hmmm, doubly glad we did not go on the pricey wine tour…has Eddie become psychic (instead of a certified liquor do-dad) in his old age?  I am getting a Carnac the Great/Johnny Carson vibe, here. Nah, he always will go red when wine tasting…and champagne has lost its  “pop”for him.  He planned this day off, you think?

Come afternoon, he was up and ready for a stroll and a bite.  I shared my morning friend’s observation.  So, no wineries for us.  Phew, I was afraid there would be a shipping wine home at an outrageous price fire drill.  So, back to our afternoon of adventure.   Like I said, tree line streets and pocket parks abound…probably need to consult the internet and see if this has been the home to a movie or two.  This all seems like a grand place to shoot a movie or Netflix series-we prefer Netflix with its dump all episodes to the drop one a week that all the other subscriptions services prefer….overshare, I know…  The town is such a step back in time.  Did our stroll take us to a winery, or at least a wine tasting room?  Nope, we ended up in an Irish Pub.  You could order flights of  local beer, cider or wine-or get whiskey…and there is some local of that, too. No charge for the Irish drinking songs.    Never a dull moment when you travel with Eddie.  

Stepping Back in Time

With Eddie dry and blue skies, we left the Water, Neon and LED lights of Niagara Falls and headed north along the River Road to the most charming little place in the world.  Niagara on the Lake is where the Niagara River meets Lake Ontario.  It is home to the oldest Catholic Church in Ontario, second oldest Anglian (read Church of England) Church and the oldest surviving golf course in Canada…it is a flat boring course that I could even do well on.  The River Road is similar to lots of River Roads that wind through the original 13 colonies and southern states.  Large farming estates, plantations and homes flank the roads with century old stone stacked fences or hedge rows…with a variety of crops from cotton to tobacco to sugar cane dotting the landscape.  Here,  it is not that different.  There are centuries old homes, sprinkled with a few new out of place modern homes but almost all have grapes planted.  The number of wineries in the region outnumbered all of our fingers and toes, for sure.  And you know what Eddie says about that-“Just because you can grow grapes, does not mean you should make wine”.  So, I am sure there is a wide variety of quality.  The vines have not begun to bud, but the various wineries are open for a tasting-mostly a sweet dessert wine called Ice Wine that is produced here, with the weather more conducive to white wines grapes.  The area also has a fair number of breweries and hard apple cider houses, if you are not a wine person.  My early research said there are a few renegades that have produced some red wines, but it would be best to stick with what they are known for.  

The town of Niagara on the Lake starts where Fort George (War-of 1812 for you history buffs) was and the recreated National Park is now.  The town of Niagara on the Lake has strived to keep us in the last century or two with Vintage Hotels, tree and flower lined streets, no stop lights and shops that date back over 100 years. I have been tempted to bring home one of their landscape maintenance people…they use E-powered lawn mowers (even on the big park stuff), hand weed, and there are no blowers in the Historical section, by city ordinance.  Cool, lush, quiet and alive with color.  We are staying at the Prince of Wales, a hotel that has been here since the mid 1800’s.  Yeah, we do authentic.  High tea, served daily, pinkies out.  There are two distinct groups of people here…old and bridal party…before, during and after.  It is a true destination wedding place that brings the romantic setting to your Instagram post.  Not much in between.  

Niagara on the Lake is also home to the Shaw Festival.  It is Canada second largest repertoire company with 4 stages/theaters in the small town.  Wednesday was opening day for the summer for the Shaw Theatre.  The play-Gypsy.  Awww, come one you know the 1959’s production of the story based loosely on the life of burlesque’s Gypsy Rose Lee.  Give you a hint - Ethel Merman. Everything is coming up Roses, Let me Entertain you, Wherever We Go.  Music by Sondheim…considered one of the Greatest Musical of all times.  Most of us in the audience were old enough to remember Ethel Merman in the role or even Bette Midler belting out the tunes…except for the few newlyweds in the audience we all knew the plot and had seen at least one of the revivals or TV adaptions of it.  These poor kids (newlyweds and Catholic High school students) looked clueless at intermission.  Vaudeville, burlesque, the depression….these poor kids thumbs needed a rest from all the wiki inquires.  Eddie, of course, theatre buff and college thespian has matured into Theatre Critic…we attended the Matinee performance so that dinner could be filed with his opinions….and he had many…and so soon after his yellow bag performance.  What do they say…people in glass houses….

Meanwhile, back at Apple Watch watch.  If you give a mouse a cookie…if you change your activity level for two days, it will want you to do more on day three.  My watch kept telling me to stand up at the theatre.    Heck, we already had 8,000 steps by 2:00…lay off.  Maybe I will just leave it at home on Thursday when we go wining.  That will teach it a thing or two.  I don’t think you get activity points for moving your elbow with glass in your hand.  

Water is Wet

 Unlike other trips, neither Eddie nor I did much advance historical research…Eddie, being Eddie, selected the various restaurants we should eat at, I was in Charge of what we should do when we weren’t eating-our usually division of labor.  On Tuesday we determined we wanted to take in the waters of the Falls…That means get on one of the boats that take you to both the American Falls and the Canadian Falls.  With that much water, you can be assured that you are going to get wet.  If you board the boats on the US side, you are on the Maid of the Mist and given royal blue rain ponchos.  If you board on the Canadian side you are in the Hornblower and given red rain ponchos.  I guess Canada and the Brit connection can claim the red ponchos. Everyone on both vessels (all electric and carbon neutral since 2022) had their ponchos on, it is quite the sight to see 200 people fluttering in  the elements, getting soaking wet…and paying for it.    There are a couple other players in the get your passengers wet business, but they are not the original one…and you know us we are all about authentic experiences.  There are 6 or 7 different sights on the Combo US Canadian tour, along with a history lesson or two.  Did you Google Tesla (person, not the car)  and Westinghouse?  

After Monday’s airport work out, Tuesday’s tour had my Apple Watch asking me if I was Karen or had my watch been stolen.  When I lapped the 15,000 steps and multiple flights of steps for the second day, I am surprised my watch did not contact 911…kinda like the folks on Roller Coaster where the descent is such that they think you have fallen.  I keep getting “Good Job” and “Keep it up” or asking if I wanted to change my fitness goals.  No, you can go back to your stand when we go back home…and you can tell me to stand up when I have been sitting too long, again.  Thanks, Apple….I like my earthworm status.  

Back to our tour, and of course, the Eddie story…cause that is what you read my blog for anyway.  When we booked our tour with Over the Falls, they actually call you and tell you that you are going to get wet-and what that means for shoe wear, unnecessary items, and clothing.They send you an email with same information, text you with same information.  They will not be accused of not letting you know about the water being wet.  Trip Advisor 5 stars rating are at stake… With a 6-7 hour trip, wet heavy pants, soggy feet were something that we decided we would prepare for.  Eddie had some water resistant hiking shoes, water resistant pants, his water resistant jacket with hood.  He decided that he would not need the additional poncho that is provided,  He was the only person without a Blue disposable rain poncho on when we pulled away from the Mist’s dock on the US side.  As our guide had asked us to retain our poncho as a later stop would required a poncho and the yellow one that the Cave in the Wind provided was inferior to the blue one that we would be given on the Maid.  Eddie blames the lack of hearing aides (he left them at the hotel, fearing they would get wet and die, we are after all rule followers) on not hearing the get and retain the blue poncho instruction.  Eddie’s keep dry method was fine for the “feeling the power and misting water” of the Falls.  By the time we arrived at the Cave of the Winds, close to the site of the first hydroelectric power plant in North America-hello Tesla and Westinghouse, it had gotten warm.  Especially when you are walking and climbing steps.  Eddie had started peeling like an orange, and was no longer protected from the elements with his trusty rain jacket with hood and baseball cap combo.  We descend the stairs to the elevator to go to the Cave in the Wind.  Everyone else dawned their retained blue poncho.  Poor Eddie was stuck with the really flimsy yellow one that they issue you.  Think Hefty, Hefty, Hefty (Blue Poncho) versus Wimpy, Wimpy, Wimpy and small (Yellow Poncho) Did I mention that while not high season, these places run on a schedule and there are people lined up to board the elevators to go down to the lower part of the American Falls…that is the “Cave” part.  Our tour was a “skip the line” affair, so we were hustled past the long lines, so no time to put on the yellow cleaning bag with a hoodie.  I had my blue retained poncho on, Eddie struggled to get the yellow one over his head in the crowded elevator.  I will pause for a moment so you can get a mental picture…classic Three Stooges slap stick…on message for Niagara Falls.  By the time we reach the wooden walkway and stairs, and the powerful mist and water, I turned to find Eddie stuffed into the yellow poncho, with hoodie portion firmly in the front.  No do overs here.  Onward!  To the thundering Falls and wet water.  

I now know why they print a warning on plastic bags…small children and old people should not be allowed to play with plastic bags.  Eddie got a little damp during this part of the tour,…and yes, I have pictures to use in the Christmas card.  While the Falls are impressive up close  

and personal, Eddie wet with his yellow poncho backwards..was priceless.  

We ended Tuesday with a nap and warm shower before dinner-we are not use to this much activity…my Apple Watch says so…oh yeah, laughter is truly the best medicine.  

It is all about the Falls, ‘bout the Falls

 
Yes, folks, those CrAzY Pickles are traveling again, checking off places on our Bucket List travel before we kick the bucket.  We have left you and yours in the rainy Southeast Texas region for the natural wonder of Niagara Falls.  Prior to Harvey,  Iguaza Falls in Brazil/Argentina was not only on the list, but we had our yellow fever shots, hotel reservations and flights along with a cruise down the Amazon in the travel queue…but Harvey kinda washed those plans over the dam…then Covid…so, NF became the new Iguazu Falls with the Canada/US border the new South American border like destination, and of course, Covid shots replaced the yellow fever shot card, and a cruise down the Amazon became a drive down the shoreline/River Road to Niagara on the Lake.  A lot has happened in the last 5.5 years…Niagara Falls seemed more reasonable and less physically demanding than rainforest and piranhas. 
We departed at noon Monday on an Air Canada flight to Toronto, escaping what I understand will be a wet and stormy week at home.  Sounds about right.  Water tops the lower dock when we are traveling…think Tax Day, Memorial Day flood prior to Harvey.  PTSD?…just a little.  We arrived on schedule and got our 10,000 steps (no bathrooms along the way) in from the plane to customs and immigration.  IAH needs to take notes.  Toronto and Vancouver have a nifty Arrive Canada app…if you read the instructions when you are checking in for your flight…makes the entire process painless…I took us longer to find a bathroom than it did to get through that process.  Despite the instructions, most were stuck it the queue… Hint, hint..read then follow the instructions….it is a phone app.  Bathroom, then luggage carousel #10, bags arrived just about the same time we did.  Another 2,500 steps to the rental car desk and we were on the road by 5:30…with just our Apple Car Play to tell us how to get to our destination.  Eddie did good, not great…great would have been no wrong turns and rerouting by our Lady of the CarPlay…
In planning our trip, a choice had to be made—-so we stay on  US side or Canada side.  Canadian side has spectacular views of the Falls-both of them- Horseshoe and American Falls…and for a price you can have a room overlooking the Falls.  US side has a tribal casino and hotel…period. Decision made.  We tend to eat our money not gamble it away…we want something to show for our Canadian Dollars.  So, Maple Leaf it is.    All the regular hotel chains are here, not the high end stuff, Embassy Suites, Sheraton, Hilton, Doubletree, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn…the usual.  Mom and Pop places, too, some B&Bs on River Road- it is all about location, location, location.  We decided on a Fallsview room on the 35th floor of the Embassy Suites…with Full Valet Parking available for $100 a night…Niagara’s little gotcha.  We opted for the Off Site $35 Canadian parking lot, with shuttle service.  Even Eddie has his limited on needless spending.  By 6:45 (5:45 CST) we were overlooking the View from our bedroom window.  It is spectacular…while the  Niagara River is not the Amazon, it is breathtaking beautiful.  Actually considered in of the 8 wonders of the world…when that was a thing.  The Canadian Park service has everything flowered and cleaned for the summer season…May is considered the shoulder season.  
I have heard about Niagara Falls since I was a kid…thanks to the Three Stooges…”Slowly, I turn, inch, by inch” yeah, you tube refreshed my childhood memory of that.  While  I am sure that that would be ban on TV today, my sister, Kathy and I spent many hours watching a vaudeville trio slap and hit each other.  I remember random news reports of people attempting to go over the Falls in a barrel-not a high success rate.   Wallenda’s daring tightrope walk across the falls- I think it was in ABC Wide World of Sports.     There have been tons of pictures, references to it, but I was really not sure what to expect in terms of the towns and things around it.  Well, frozen in time…not exactly, but not a Disney like experience either.  It is all about the Falls.  The visitors old and young seem to get that.  Surprisingly few people have their heads down watching their phones (US citizens without Canadian cell phone plans, I guess).  They are not snapping Instagram pics in high fashion…that would not be on message for this destination.  The fashion is interesting, kinda like COSTCO meets Amazon with a side order of WalMart.  The tourist mix here is unlike any mix I have seen in some time…Japanese tourists (check), old people on bus and casino tours, check, tons of Indian and Middle Eastern families, check, lots of Amish families - now there is a surprise, but check.  Not a lot of US families with school aged kids-reasonable as school is back in session, but lots of preschool aged kids with parents and grandparents.  There are a couple of casinos on the Canadian side along with Stage acts to include Tom Jones, The Monkees - as in Hey, Hey, We’re the Monkees—which I think is down to only Mickey…and Peter Noonan of Herman’s Hermits. A Vegas like lit area called Clifton Hill  which is more about the arcades, speedways and putt putt golf courses…total family fare.  Like I said, we are in a 1960 time warp.  Gee, I left my go-go boots at home.  
Nighttime at Niagara Falls is pretty spectacular.  Starting around 8:30 each evening the Falls are lit with colorful LED lights that keep the falls illuminated until 2:00.  Starting next week there is an evening fireworks display.  The various hotels and areas are mindful of the view and arrange everything from IHOP pancakes, to ice cream, drinks or a fancy steak dinner with a view of the Falls at night.  Tomorrow, I will share what we did on Tuesday and the real reason Niagara & Falls is so special-isn’t that right, Nikola Tesla and George Westinghouse.  Learn something every day.