Vacation ;)

They always say you need a vacation from your vacation...for once I can say that isn't the case. The Holland family returned last night from a 6 day trip to Canada. Our destination - Niagara Falls! It was a wonderful trip - everything pretty much went as planned....except the weather! It's late June you would think it would be nice and warm, even if we were a little of north...not the case. We spent most of the week trying to stay dry and deciding how to make our "warm clothes" work to our advantage. Amber and I had packed for tank top weather, not long sleeve - needless to say we all have new Niagara Falls sweatshirts (even Mark!).
So Sunday we drove up to Niagara, stopping at Presque Isle at Erie, PA for a visit to the state park, which includes two Light Houses and a monument to O.H. Perry (think of the battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812 if you wondering who he is.). After crossing into Canada at Buffalo we drove along the QEW to Niagara Falls, Ontario. We enjoyed the falls, during the day and evening. Sadly we missed the Fireworks on Sunday night because we didn't want to sit in the rain. Monday we started our Adventure pack with a Journey Behind the Falls and the Butterfly exhibit. Tuesday our trip continued with the Maid of the Mist boat ride and Sklyon Tower, Wednesday we drove up to Niagara on the Lake and visited McFarlan House and Ft. George, and the White Water Walk along the Niagara River. Thursday we checked out and started the drive home. You will note I say started....Thursday we stopped and visited the American side of the falls and the Lockport Cave and underground boat ride (it's a man made cave that factories used for Water ...different!) Thursday night we stayed in Erie, PA and Friday explored part of that area. We visited the Erie Maritime Museum (home for the Niagara when she's in dock), another light house (yes there are three lighthouses that call Erie, PA home) and then to Penn Shore Winery (no Holland vacation is complete without at least one Winery and we drove past a BUNCH in Canada - but didn't want to have to deal with shipping and were running low on time...) then on to home. Getting home Friday night around 7:30 or so - Amber even drove the last hour or so of the trip.
The best part to me is we once again took a vacation where we all had fun and we managed to avoid chain restaurants. We ate at locally owned places except for 3 meals...the drive up lunch was a picnic in the park, and then two meals at restaurants that are part of the Niagara parks system. No McDonald's, T.G.I.Friday's or Pizza Huts for us!
Sadly the trip does end with a dose of reality - the kids missed 2 4H concerts while we were gone and have one tonight and tomorrow Mark and Amber are off on a photo trip to the Palace theatre - so the world never stops turning for the Holland family!