First came the decision that we wanted to go out and meet Sara and Jacob somewhere while they were vacationing in PA. Then the question was where. Well, Google maps misled me to believe that Niagara Falls was closer to us than driving clear the heck out to Erie, PA. Not that that was really the issue. Come on! It’s Niagara Falls!! The epic family vacation!!! That apparently everyone in the world has been to except for me and Jeremy. Nevermind. Grand Canyon: Check. Niagara Falls: Check. Mount Rushmore: Maybe, maybe not someday.
It was spectacular and all those things that people would say about such a thing as Niagara Falls. The drive was quite long with a lot of pointless lane closures for nonexistent construction. It was very scenic, though. We played a little “I spy,” but I really have to say TGF movies in the car.
The first night there, we met Sara and Jacob at the Anchor Bar, which claims to be the home of the first buffalo wings. We sampled some of the wings there and then drove to Duff’s Famous Wings, which were supposed to be better. They were. Then we hurried to catch the last bit of the fireworks display over the falls.
Our first view of the falls was not so impressive. I worried that it was true that you could not get a good view from the American side after all. The next day we went and saw it from every angle possible without crossing the border, and I was not one bit disappointed. The best views of the falls overall were from the Maid of the Mist boat tour. Later we were immersed in the falls when we went to the Cave of the Winds. Everyone enjoyed the Cave of the Winds the best. I found it just a little bit scary. Walking toward it really felt like walking toward a hurricane. But I enjoyed it the best, too.
We were going to part ways with Sara and Jacob to go camping while they returned to Jacob’s parents, but we were spontaneously invited to go back with them. We chose to do that rather than camp. That way we were able to stay long enough to do everything that we wanted to. We went to Duff’s again that evening to try some more of their wings. They were that good. I also got a Roast Beef on Weck, which I heard was a local specialty. It was a very good variation of a roast beef sandwich.
It was fun to go to the Ashley home in Erie. It was very late when we finally arrived. We found Jacob’s parents very hospitable. Jeremy and the Ashleys stayed up pretty late watching tv. I could not keep my eyes open a moment longer and am pleased to say that I was able to resist Jeremy’s power of persuasion by going to bed. We had a long drive the next day.
The next day we chilled in our pj’s all morning eating cereal (or candy, in Jeremy’s case). Jacob showed us the beach at Lake Erie before we left, completely satisfied.
