Canada With Mom - Part II

Our second day in Canada, Mom and I got up at about a quarter after nine to got ready to see the Falls.  Our first stop was (obviously) Tim Horton's.  Even the monkey got in on some of the action.

Since our waiter from the night before warned us that parking was going to be a nightmare, the two of us walked over after we were done eating.  The view that awaited us was beautiful.

We continued our walk over to the Maid of the Mist.  For those of you not familiar with the Maid of the Mist, it's the boat that you go on to get up close to the Falls.  As you board the boat, you are given a silly blue poncho with a hood to wear, which at first you think you won't need.  Observe how neither of us are wearing our hoods.

Little did we know...

The boat ride started out calm enough.  We were on the bottom deck of the two-story boat.  I had read that was the place to be because when you get close to the Falls, everyone starts coming downstairs.  We were also on the side of the boat that was farthest from the Falls while at the dock.  Pro-tip for those of you going on the Maid of the Mist: stand on the side of the boat closest to the dock when you first get on.  Everyone rushes to the other side, but the boat loops back around and you get to view the Falls on your way back into port.

We tried to listen to the recording that rattled off facts about the Falls in English and French, but it was nearly impossible to hear.  So Mom and I chatted until the mist started to descend upon us.  Then the wind started up.  We looked like this:

I consider myself very lucky that I didn't cause any major water damage to my phone.  The wind was unpredictable, so just when you thought it might be safe to snap a picture, you got a huge gust of wind and water in your face.  But it was a lot of fun.  The three year old girl who with her family next to us didn't think so.  There were lots of tears. 

After we got off the boat, we walked around a little bit.  The tulips were in bloom and it was beautiful to take in everything.  We stopped at a restaurant that overlooked the Falls for a drink and a snack, and then headed back to the hotel.  That night after dinner, we went back to look at the Falls.  At night, different colored lights shine on them.  It was pretty to look at.

The next morning, we got up early to allow ourselves plenty of time to get across the border.  Luckily, it only took us about 45 minutes, so we decided to go explore the US side of the Falls.

The Falls were pretty on the US side, but we definitely got the better experience taking them in from Canada.  We were able to get up closer to them on the US side.  I think that's because we didn't walk over to where you could when we were in Ontario.  It made for a cool contrasting experience.

Overall, it was a good trip.  The Falls weren't as tall as we thought they might be.  But it didn't lack in awe-factor.  The roar of the water going over and the width of not one, but three falls, was incredibly impressive.  And you can see the mist coming off the water from a long way away.  I'd say that it's something you should see and experience at least once in your life.  But I'm not sure that it's a trip I'd take again anytime soon.

Thanks for reading about this round of my adventures!  Stay tuned for posts about my upcoming trip to Peru.  Mike & I are leaving in about two weeks (!!) for the land of the Incas.  Should be a good time.

Canada With Mom - Part I

I love our neighbor to the north.  I really do.  I always have a great time whenever I'm there.  This round, my mom and I spent time in Ontario near Niagara Falls.  We flew into Buffalo on Friday and drove 45 minutes to Canada.  Of course, our first stop was at Tim Hortons.  My mom didn't get why I was so excited until she tried it.  She is now a fan, and rightfully so.

For those of you not familiar with this chain, Tim Hortons is the Dunkin Donuts of Canada and is as ubiquitous as Starbucks.  There were some locations in New York, but I couldn't bring myself to go to them.  It's like going to McDonalds overseas.  You just...don't.  That is unless you really have to pee.

We got a little lost trying to find our hotel because my cell service crapped out (thanks, Verizon) but it meant that we got to drive around a little.  A few words come to mind when it comes to the town of Niagara Falls.  Two I can think of off the top of my head are "kitschy" and "run-down." Let me explain:

• Kitschy: There were all sorts of stores there that I don't feel like you see anywhere else except at big tourist attractions or the boardwalk at the beach.  For example, there was a Margaritaville (because nothing screams Canada like Jimmy Buffett), a Hershey store, a Ripley's Believe It or Not, and so on.  Now, I realize that this is a vacation area, but still.  It felt like a little much.
• Run-Down: There were a lot of borded up and unloved houses that we drove by in the town.  It was sad to see.  The juxtaposition of rich tourists and poor locals caught me off guard.

Eventually, we found our hotel.  We checked in, took a quick nap, and then headed off to Niagara-on-the-Lake, a beautiful town about half an hour from the Falls.  I had booked us appointments at the Shaw Spa and it was amazing.  If you're ever there, I highly recommend them.  I had never been to the spa before, so I didn't know what to expect.  My mom and I both got body wraps and they were amazing.  After our appointment, we got a quick bite to eat and then decided to check out Lake Ontario, which was a stones throw away from where we were.

Lake Ontario

It was really, really beautiful.  I feel like this picture doesn't do it justice.  As I was looking around, I noticed a skyline across the lake.  I was trying to figure out what city it was when I noticed a needle-shaped building in the distance.  Then it hit me.  I was looking right at Toronto!  How cool.

On our way back, we noticed that there were lots and lots of vineyards between Niagara-on-the-Lake and the Falls.  I was kind of surprised.  We both thought it would be too cold up there to grow grapes, but I guess people do good business since there were a ton of vineyards.  Later I learned that we were driving on the Ontario Wine Route.

When we got back, we walked around a little bit, ate dinner at an amazing steak restaurant and watched fireworks that went off over the Falls.  It was pretty neat.  We then poured ourselves into bed so that we could get a (relatively) early start on our adventures at the Falls in the morning.  That part of our adventure is coming up in Part II...

Celebrating Mom

Happy Mother's Day to all!  I know lots of awesome moms and mommas to be.  You are truly amazing ladies and I tip my hat to all of you.  But there is one lady in particular that I have to take a moment to honor.  And that's my mom, Margot.

My amazing mother with me.  Man, I totally rocked that bowl cut.

My mom's pretty awesome.  Here are five reasons why:

1. She started a business with my dad 10 days before I was born.  Can you imagine being that pregnant and starting a new business?  I can't.
2. Over the years, she has lived in four different states, DC, and Australia. 
3. She has worked at and attended Inaugural Balls in DC.
4. Not only was she my Girl Scout Troop leader, but my sister's as well.
5. She can really sew! For my 50s-themed birthday party in second grade, she made felt poodle skirts for 20-some odd children to decorate and take home.  And pretty much every single Halloween costume and Christmas dress I wore growing up was made by her.

This Friday the two of us are jetting off to Niagara Falls, Ontario for a long weekend of sight-seeing and pampering.  I'm really excited to be spending time with her in Canada.  Now I realize that the word "abroad" is in the name of this blog and that not many Americans consider Canada as abroad.  But I looked up the meaning of the word, and here's Google's definition:

via

Looks like it does count.  Plus, you need a passport in order to get in so that has to count for something.  So I've decided to write about our long weekend in Canada.  It's going to be nice to take a long break with her before my wedding, which is only a little over four months away (woah - what?!?).  I love you, Mom and I can't wait to explore Niagara with you!

Me, my sister, and our mom at my sister's college graduation.