Hi Guys,

I know it has been a while since our last blog. This has mainly been due to poor or intermittent internet connection and our family “doing” lots of things. We have also been on the road a lot (9 hour stint today), but will camp here for a few days to recharge our batteries! We are actually in Sault Ste Marie in Ontario, Canada as I type this, but I don’t want to get ahead of myself with the experiences we’ve had, so I will recount the last week in a series of blogs, with the first being our destination “Niagara Falls” from the USA side.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our first encounter of “The Falls” was seeing a huge cloudy mist rising above the city of Niagara Falls. I had no idea at the time that the tower nearby was on the Canadian side (until I consulted my trusty map of the area around Buffalo and realised how close the two countries really are). It simply looked like we were viewing another part of the city of Buffalo from across a river!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our first port of call when visiting Niagara was the Cave of the Winds. This involved an elevator ride down underground, where we were able to see the Falls from below. First things first though, we had to be dressed for the journey! Yellow raincoats, “fancy” footwear, rolled up pants, and we were set!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We walked down a path, then onto a boardwalk which made it’s way down, around, then up, under part of the Falls. Did we get wet? Absolutely! Did Akaisha cry? Not once! (Or maybe I didn’t hear it from the roar of the Falls!). We have some wonderful shots of the kids on the “Hurricane” platform, (you can get a real sense of the power of the Falls.) I have included professional photos of the Falls and you will have to use your imagination for the rest……………and yes, we did get “suckered” into buying the photo they do just for tourists! (Thought it might be nice having the whole family, although Akaisha wasn’t that co-operative about smiling at the camera!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After emerging from the elevator looking like drowned rats, but feeling very invigorated, we strolled along taking photos of the Falls.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

But like anything, whilst we adults oooh and aahhh about the places to see, our kids’ minds quickly move onto the next big thing, like seeing who can jump the highest off things, over things and from things!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We saw Niagara Falls from the USA, and we very nearly didn’t go across the border into Canada (we have so much of the US still to see!) However, thankfully we made the decision to go across in Ontario in Canada and view Niagara Falls from that side as well……..because it was well worth the effort. But that story is for another blog post…………..

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is the last blog where we are still in Pennsylvania. To end our trip in this beautiful state, we decided to see Pennsylvania’s version of The Grand Canyon. Literally, it is called that…….and we had a very good GPS to get us there.

One problem.

It wasn’t until we had gone off the main highway,………..followed tiny gravel roads up and down very steep hills,…………………. had three 4WD cars stop for us so we could pass, (with each driver looking at us with a very “wierd” expression),……………….. do a “10” point turn because we couldn’t get around one corner,…………………and finally have a conversation with each other wondering how on earth  motorhomes (or RV’s) make it up these ridiculously steep and narrow paths in the wet weather……………that we suddenly remembered that the GPS takes you on the “shortest” route to your chosen destination!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

When we finally arrived at Pennsylvania’s Grand Canyon, we did the “touristy” thing and took lots of photos from the look out, then decided that a trek along one of the walk trails would be a good way to burn off all those extra kilos we had put on from our time with Lynda, Alan and Scarlett.

If you’re wondering why we have the sticks, it’s because there were signs everywhere warning us of sightings of rattlesnakes on the trail. Mmmmm……….that’s an encounter we can do without!

 

But, an encounter we were glad to have, were with some wild deer who didn’t seem too worried at all that we were there. Lucky they were relaxed too, as that was my only saviour when Trev decided to tell the kids that Black Bears hunt deer! I was able to point out that the deer didn’t look too worried and neither should we! Funny how their pace picked up from then on.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All in all, a beautiful walk and one worth seeing.

We made it back to our campsite (ignoring our GPS when she told us to turn left for the shortest route home!), then enjoyed the evening before heading off to Buffalo the next day. Niagara Falls is only one post away!…………………….

The dilemma of modern technology! On one hand it is so useful as it can bring you our journey via a blog as we travel across Amercia. On the other hand, when we don’t have it, we become extremely resourceful and look for other ways to have fun.

 

 

 

 

 

If you’re not sure what I’m talking about, we have been offline for 3 to 4 days when we ventured North of Dillsburg in Pennsylvania and travelled about 3 and a half hours to a lovely campsite in Lymon Run State Park. (This was our stopover on our way to Niagara Falls). Being without access to the internet meant that we totally relaxed, played games as a family and found other ways of keeping ourselves amused.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We spent three nights at this campsite. Why? You ask…..when we have so much ground to cover?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Because in our wisdom, we chose to leave on a long weekend in America and couldn’t find any other campsites to book into that were halfway between Dillsburg and Niagara Falls. But, to be honest, it was the best way to start our RV trip. It allowed Trev to relax (after negotiating traffic in the US in a big left hand drive RV) and allowed us some family time without the interruptions of iPods, laptops and iPads.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So we enjoyed walking, swimming, paddleboating, card games, pretending to be ninjas to fight off the Black Bears (which there are supposedly plenty of, but we failed to see any……….although Trev and some of the kids did see some bear poo!)

We bought marshmallows to toast on the fire (just to remind us of home), but I bet you guys in Australia have never seen a marshmallow this big!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Out of all of our children, Kit was the only one who managed to burn his fingers. Why? Because (in his words) “I was trying to flick the fire off the marshmallow” After tears and an immersion of burnt fingers into a cup of water for 20 minutes, the practical lesson of “What to do when you burn yourself” began.  Aaaahhhh, life’s lessons teach more than any book ever will.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The next blog will cover our visit to Pennsylvania’s version of the Grand Canyon, then we’ll take you on a journey to Niagara Falls. Until then……………………

Well, we finally have the RV home (the paperwork here is unbelievable and they are a stickler for rules – people get sued for everything here!)

This is only a short post as we are on our way today and heading towards Niagara Falls. We are staying in some places that don’t have internet, so will post when we can.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We haven’t taken a photo of Kaitlin and Jai’s bunk bed yet, but I’m sure we’ll have many before the trip is through.

We went out to a family restaurant called Friendlies (probably much like a McDonalds in Australia.) on our last night in Pennsylvania and in true style, the sweets did not disappoint!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So, until our next post……stay safe.

 

With so many kids I guess you would expect that we will be celebrating at least some birthdays whilst we’re here. The latest is Kit Keeling who turned 6 on the 28th August. He had a great day as well and has some pretty groovy presents. He can’t wait to go to the shop to spend his birthday money from all of his relatives.

 

 

 

So after being spoilt with pressies and cake, Kit (and his family) was treated to a Birthday meal at a little Restaurant called………….

 

 

 

 

 

 

There was enough food to feed an army, but the biggest treat was something called a chocolate fudge mumbo sundae……..and as you can see, they were HUGE. So if you’re wondering why we are all putting on a few kilos……this is why!!!!!