Four Mile Creek State Park, NY (Niagara Falls) 07/26 - 07/31

We continue the travels up past Niagara Falls, NY and set up camp at one of New York's first state parks:  Four Mile Creek State Park.

We are learning that New York really knows how to do parks.  And after learning about all the things in the area we extend our stay an extra day.






Sun, 7/27 is primarily a set up and laundry day but we are also treated to another series of great sunsets across Lake Ontario.

We can also clearly see the Toronto skyline across the lake.





Day 2 it's off for a packaged Gray Line tour of the US side of Niagara Falls beginning with the Maid of the Mist boat cruise.

Everyone gets a fancy blue raincoat and yes you sure need 'em.

The views of the falls are terrific - first the smaller US side falls and then right into the mist of the Canadian side Horseshoe Falls.

It's hard to comprehend the sheer volume of water and the power of these falls.  And this is after some 80% has been diverted for electrical power.















At Cave of the Winds everyone gets a pretty yellow raincoat and has the opportunity (?) to get right into the flow of the water.  Once again - it's just amazing.





Day 3 we start with a short trip into downtown Buffalo.

Did you ever wonder where Buffalo Wings originated and why the name Buffalo?  Well it was here at the Anchor Bar!  And they were mighty good.

John also gets another brief submarine and Naval history fix at the Buffalo Naval and Military Park.

Then it was time for another Gray Line tour into Canada for a late afternoon and evening tour of the Canadian side attractions but primarily seeing the falls from the Skylon Tower at night.

Day 4 we made our way back across the border on our own to visit the town of Niagara on the Lake.  Most of the buildings are on the Canadian version of the National Historic Register.

It's now a upscale arts and shopping town.

We had a really nice dinner at Zee's and found some really good Canadian wine - from the Baco Noir grape which we'd never heard of before.

We extend our Niagara Falls area trip by an extra day when we learn of all of the Erie Canal history at the nearby City of Lockport, NY.

We wind up taking the three hour tour up and down the canal and through two locks.

And finally to Carousel Park in the small town of Olcott where John also gets to see some really sweet wooden boats.