From 2010 to 1840

We left Grand Island early this morning with one last trip

up and over the bridge.   We traveled I-290 and on to

I-90 which is also known as the New York Thruway.  Any name you want to call it, but, it is a toll road.  We picked up our toll ticket at the Buffalo and took it all the way to the

Herkimer exit for a total of 197 miles.  When we stopped at the

toll booth...we owed $35.50, Yikes!

From here we traveled on some

local roads through the little town of Richfield Springs to our

KOA.  The sites here are fairly large...all grass, but we leveled without any problem and were set up and hooked up before we knew it.

We had a quick lunch of chicken salad and apple salad, grapes, and crackers before heading out to visit the

Farm Museum located just outside Cooperstown.  We saw lots of old stuff...like

this wagon.  Lauren wonders if this could have been someone's RV?

We learned that during the 1800's most beavers from this area became

hats.

We saw

pretty tole painted furniture for the homes and

old plows for the fields.

From the museum, we walked down the path to take a step back in time...all the way to 1840 as we entered the

working village.

We stopped at the

general store where the

store keeper was anxious to help with our purchases.   Next stop was

just down the lane at the

blacksmith's shop where

we watched him make this

black rose.

On to

visit the printing office.  We saw how the

newspapers and

"wanted" posters were

printed in 1840.

There was the stop by the

Doctor's office and one next door to the

pharmacy.  This book is the one they used to find the correct formula for mixing and making medicines.  Right out side he had his own

herb garden.  Many of these were used in the medicines.

Then it was on to the

farm.  There we found

Farmer Wayne and his cow, Daisy Mae.  And, did he have a treat for us...

A lesson

in how to

milk cows.

A walk back into town took us by the

church, the

town hall, and the

weavers.  We also saw how to make

brooms.

What fun it was to step back in time.

What...no plan?

After yesterday's big day and late night, this morning started slow.  It also started with the pitter patter of rain that stayed with us on and off until early afternoon.  It didn't take any of us long to decide that this would make a great "do nothing" kind of day.

The kids

worked on organizing their pictures, while Poppa spent most of the day

in the recliner catching up on blogs and watching TV.

With the three of them all occupied, I too had the opportunity to spend the day catching up on blogs and chatting with a few friends on Facebook, and just relaxing...well, that was when I wasn't cooking waffles, making sandwiches, fixing snacks, making a big bowl of apple salad, and cooking dinner. LOL

As the day progressed, the sun came out and Andrew and Lauren decided they wanted to rent the banana bikes

one more time...that actually turned into 2 hours before all was said and done.

After dinner, we decided to make a run to Tim Horton's.  Mark has decided their coffee is his new favorite, and he wanted to get some to take with us.  Of, course, this prompted a donut and muffin purchase as well.

Once, we were back to the RV Park, we got out for one last walk around the park.  We took the

steps to the

lower section of the park were most of the cabin and tent camping is located.  From there the walk took us to the very back

of the park to more cabins, RV sites, rec room, and another swimming pool.

This section of the park is also where the

catch and release fishing pond is located.

All in all this is a great park.  It is a little $$, but considering were it is located and it is prime time tourist season, I probably couldn't have done any better.  In, fact, there weren't just a lot of parks to choose from that were kid friendly.  It was great for our travels to and from Canada as well.  With all of that said, I would come here again.

After our walk, it was time to get the

Jeep hooked up and start getting the motor home ready for tomorrow's travel.

When our chores were finished there was still time to

sit outside and discuss our day that had no plan.

Join us tomorrow as we travel to Cooperstown, New York, where the adventures will continue.

Canada

Friday started a little on the slow side.  We slept in, made breakfast pizza, did the laundry, and made our plan for the day.

And, around noon, with cameras and passports in hand, we headed out for a day

in Canada.

Once we were parked, we walked to the

visitor center where we purchased tickets for a couple of the local attractions.  As it would turn out, we were just in time to make the next showing of

Niagara's Fury.  I knew it must be more than a movie when they issued us

rain ponchos!  I was right...it was more like a Disney ride!

After getting all wet...we had plenty of time before the next tour, so we decided to get lunch.

  Mark had heard from some of our Canadian friends that Tim Horton's coffee is good and he wanted to try some, so it was off to

Tim Horton's for lunch.  Not only was the coffee good, the sandwiches were great...and so were the muffins and donuts!

After a good lunch, we made our way to the

journey behind the falls.  Once again, we were issued rain ponchos.  LOL....there is something about this place, you are always getting wet!

We took the elevator down to the bottom of the falls where we walked through tunnels that led us to

portals were you could look behind the falls.

One place you could

walk out on a platform that is level with the bottom of the falls.

Once, we were back to the top, we just enjoyed the

beautiful day.

There was

lots of shopping

to be done.

And,

pictures to

pose for.

From the Canadian side, we enjoyed a different view of the

American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls as well as

Horseshoe Falls.

The

flowers up and

down the

parkway were beautiful.

Now, all that shopping and walking worked up some real hunger, so it was off to the

restaurant for dinner.  Tonight,

Andrew and

Lauren both tried Sushi!  However, I am not sure it will be ranked among their top favorites. LOL

We continued our walking until it was time for the

moon to come out, the

lights to come on and the

falls to light up!

What a great day this has been, but it wasn't complete without the

fireworks.

Afterwards, it was back across Rainbow Bridge to the USA...

Thanks...

  Canada for a great day.

And, by the way JB...at your request, we left several US dollars there today!