Archive for the ‘Michigan’ Category

An Old Man’s Game

Sunday, July 1st, 2012

After crossing the Blue Bridge we spent a few nights just relaxing for the start of the holiday week in Port Huron Michigan which is on the banks of the St. Clair River.  We had fireworks both Saturday and Sunday evenings as they are also celebrating Canada Day!  The display of fireworks on the river was really nice.

Blue Bridge from Canada to the USA across the St. Clair River

Blue Bridge at night

Sunday was a pretty lazy day starting with breakfast at Cracker Barrel where you can shop for some old fashion favorites like moon pies, sit a spell on the patio or take in a game of checkers!!!

I think Kip is winning but then there was a quick reflex and Paul clears the board of the red checkers!!!!

 

Niagara Falls – Simply beautiful

Saturday, June 30th, 2012

No matter how many times I see this I am still mesmerized by its beauty.

Spectacular Beauty

American Falls

Pat’s first trip to the falls

The view from the boat ride

We spent 3 days just looking at the falls and enjoying the many attractions.   We took the Cave of the Winds tour where you can walk right down to the American Falls and then we rode the Maid of the Mist boat that goes right up to Horseshoe Falls.  This is spectacular beauty that everyone should get to enjoy.

Next stop is Michigan and the best way to get there is through Canada.  Having heard stories about paying big bucks for transporting your booze we have been trying to reduce our stock!  That hasn’t been easy but we did it.  We are entering Canada with only a few bottles.  We reach border patrol after waiting only about 30 minutes and they only want to know about my firearms!  We could have brought a whole liquor store with us!

We spend one night in Canada at a very nice park located right on Lake Ontario.  I finally got to swim in one of the great lakes.  It was wonderful.  I expected the water to be really cold.  It is about 70 degrees and very clean with a nice sandy floor.  I loved it.

Our departure from Canada was a bit tiresome.  It took us an hour just to reach the Canadian toll booth for the Blue Water Bridge.  Then there is the Duty Free Shop.  We need to get the booze restocked and it is cheaper here even when you pay the US fees so we stock up.  When you purchase you have a limit of $200 per person and will have to give them your license plate number so they can be sure you declare when you enter the US.  We head across the bridge and wait another 30 minutes to chat with the border patrol.  This guy wanted to know all about our trip and where we have been and where we are going.  Nothing about declaring anything!

We should have known because when you purchase and give your license number no one is confirming and these are Canadian’s taking your information.  Then when you get to customs they are US.  Two governments – of course they don’t talk to each other!!!

We are safely back in the states!  We are in Port Huron Michigan and so far I am loving this state!