Doug and I decided to go to Niagara Falls after all, so when we were in New York State we made our way up to see Niagara Falls USA first and then we planned to see Niagara Falls Ontario next. We camped near the falls in the USA side and got up early and drove up to see the falls. It was packed with people, and to go across a tiny platform to see the falls at a better site they wanted $17.00 each!
Everywhere we looks is was buy this buy that, all they seem to want is your money!!
So the pictures you see are from the side lines, not from the platform. LOL Cheap Canadians we are!
That is Niagara Falls Ontario in the background.
This is the Maid of the Mist, which goes close to the falls, look how many people they pack onto that boat. Both Doug and I just were not interested in jamming in with everyone, no thanks!
So we went back to the campground and got the trailer and headed for customs and Ontario.
The "Rainbow Bridge" as they call it cost us $11.25 toll to cross and about 1 1/2 hours to get to front of the line. The custom guard could of cared less who we were, and what we had. What was so maddening is that we were so Legit, it was funny. We had hardly any booze, no fruit, no Veg and no
tobacco...was a breeze, I wish they would have searched us over and over as they would not have found anything! This time LOL
This is Niagara Falls Not taken from the bridge. We were planning on staying a night or two, and went to a tourist information centre right after we crossed the bridge to inquire about getting a campsite. They phoned the local KOA that was in town and they wanted $102.00 a night!!!! Are you kidding me!!! Doug just about had a fit, so bye bye Niagara Falls, and on to a more reasonable place to camp.
We ended up at Pinery Provincial Park. It was huge, about 1000 different sites, and it is right on lake Huron.
One thing that we both have notice is that the Great Lakes are massive, and crystal clear. They look to be sandy bottom, and therefore a lot of people have cabins and houses on these lakes. It is reassuring how clean these lakes are now a days, as it seems all the lakes in Alberta have turned to swamps.
These are some of the signs that we came across as we were driving around the Park.
Not sure I am a fan of this one, but we did not see any snakes, lucky us!
Lake Huron and its sandy beach
Sand dunes going down to the lake
how clear and clean the lake it!!
So into Michigan we go. We see a lot of "Corn Fields" and other crops, not sure what they are, I think they are sugar beets. We stopped at a tourist information place, and they told us about the
"Worlds Largest Christmas Store"!! Yahoo!! I am so there. (Brian would be proud) So off we went and camped around this town. It is done in a German Theme and brought back memories of when we went to Germany, and the Christmas Store was Amazing. This store was located in Frankenmuth Michigan. Wally Bronner founded this store in 1945, he passed away in 2008, and the store is packed with workers, and tourists
The music, lights and decorations were absolutely beautiful!!
Everyone there were in a great mood, and we bought a few things for Christmas.
This place is also known for having the longest covered bridge build in this century. It was cool to drive over it, and something to check off our bucket list.
Did not get a ride in this carriage as it started to rain.
As we made our way up the centre of Michigan, to the upper Peninsula, we learned a few local tidbits
the people of the lower peninsula are called "Trolls" and the people of the upper peninsula are call
"Yoopies". I think we are just called Canadians! This is the bridge, which is 5 miles long, that goes from lower Michigan to the upper Peninsula. Of course it cost money - toll bridge $8.00
First glance of Lake Michigan, clean and clear like all the other great lakes.
So as we were sitting outside of our campsite, we met a old fellow who told us to make sure were go to Kitch-iti-kipi lake. It was totally free, and it was a crystal clear lake that has the depth of 40 feet, with large lake trout swimming around. You go on a raft that is manned by anyone who volunteers, and slowly make your way across this spring feed pond and back again. It was almost magical and absolutely beautiful, how it could be so clear, and the fish swimming around without a care in the world. The raft would hold about 40 people, and goes at a snails pace across the pond. One of the little things that we have come across talking to the local people. Wonderful!
The raft slowly making it way
how clear the water was, you could see the bubbles from the spring that feeds the pond.
Trout swimming around, some would be at least 15 pounds. This is a something that the state of Michigan is doing right, as it was free, and absolute a joy to see and do.
We are now in Wisconsin, and slowly making our way west. We have left the waters of the ocean, and the waters of the great lakes and looking forward to seeing the prairies again. It does not seem that we have been gone 3 months, but it has. Hope all is well with everyone, and we do enjoy hearing from you when you got a minute.
Narrisa & Warren - a note to you that Shauna went and saw Dana perform in Edmonton, and she is now known as the girl who missed her plane LOL, She loved the show and is one of her biggest fans!
Play safe everyone and until next week
Doug & Judy
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