We finally made it to one of the most famous tourist destinations in the world. Niagara Falls has been on our list and now it has a ✔️ next to it. We left Traverse City after a wonderful summer and crossed into Canada at Port Huron. From there we ventured across southern Ontario and camped at a KOA on the Canadian side of the falls.
Our routeNiagara Falls KOA
They say you have to see the falls from both sides, so we did. Early on our first day we crossed back into the USA and set out to explore Niagara Falls State Park, the country’s oldest state park. From the park we were able to access our top priorities: Maid of the Mist and Cave of the Winds.
Oldest State Park
Maid of the Mist
The iconic Maid of the Mist first launched in 1846 to operate as ferry across the Niagara River for stagecoaches and carriages.
Maid of the MistWaiting to boardOur ride
Now the all-electric vessels shuttles over 1.5 million visitors each year to the base of Horseshoe Falls. We donned the signature blue rain slicker and still got pretty damp. The mist from the falls is no joke.
American Falls Ready to experience the mistHorseshoe FallsWe weren’t ready!!Mr. Outdoors
Cave of the Winds
After our experience on the water, we walked across the park and onto Goat Island. Here we found the next attraction: Cave of the Winds.
Goat Island in the FallSteve and his friend
The original cave behind Bridal Veil Falls was discovered in 1834 but was destroyed in a 1954 rockfall. Now you go through a tunnel and elevator and walk on a boardwalk that takes you right up to the base of Bridal Veil Falls.
Ready!Still not too wetGetting damp
Honestly we were not prepared for how wet you get on this attraction and the flimsy yellow slickers didn’t help much. Still, we loved climbing the wooden stairs up to the Hurricane Deck which is the closest you can get to any of Niagara’s three waterfalls, with powerful winds and water crashing around you. Our shoes were sopping when we finished but the exhilaration was worth it!
Steve on the Hurricane Deck
Video from the Hurricane Deck
Skylon Tower
On the Canadian side you get a direct view of the falls as opposed to a side view from the US. We opted to view the natural wonder from above.
Skylon Tower was built in 1965 and shows its age. Still, the revolving restaurant at the top provides some of the best views as well as a great deal on an early bird fixed-price dinner.
American Falls from aboveConsidering the viewsView toward USA with the Tower’s shadow
While enjoying a three course meal featuring prime rib for Steve and salmon for me, we slowly rotated roughly 52 stories above the falls. As you can see we got some great photos! We highly recommend seeing the falls from Skylon whether you have dinner (make reservations early) or just head up to the observation deck.
Dinner and wine above the fallsHorseshoe Falls
There’s a ton more to do in this area including wine tasting around Niagara-on-the-Lake. But we have a few more stops to make before Steve’s next race.
We’ve neglected our regular blog posts in favor of enjoying the summer here in Northern Michigan. Between our new puppy Poppy and a slew of visiting family and friends, it’s been a busy few months. Now that we are on the back side of Labor Day and beginning preparations for fall travels, we thought it was about time to provide an update on our summer fun.
Poppy When we last posted we had just returned from a two-week exploration of Italian highlights with our niece Brynn. Within 24 hours of arriving to the USA, we picked up our new 10-week old baby Poppy.
Picking up the new babySweet face
She is a sweet toy poodle that is ALL puppy. Much of our summer revolved around introducing her to new toys, places, friends, and adventures. You can see from the photos how much she changed just over a few months.
Happy girlWatching the worldWith brother BobFirst haircutSunning at the Secret GardenFirst brewery visitGrowing up
Family visits This summer we were lucky to receive numerous visitors to our lovely, adopted city of Traverse City, Michigan. First to visit was Steve’s brother Brian and his entire family (plus partners) plus Steve’s parents, Judy and Larry. In total there were 14 of us together for the 4th of July week.
Elise & JarrotSteve & NateWith Judy and LarryBrian & SteveBrian’s clan: Lydia, Hannah, Chanel,Nate, Heidi, Brian, Elise, and Zach with Larry, Charlie & JudyHappy 4th!With the Green 5 GrandkidsLydia and GrandmaBrian & HeidiThe whole gang
Our time with Brian’s clan included the usual excursions like golf, lighthouses, farm markets, dune climbing, and wine tasting.
Larry & Brian on the courseBrian, Larry, Nate & JarrotJudy on the beachSteve & Judy at the farm market Green girls: Hannah, Lydia & EliseAt Shady Lane with John, Hannah, Gibson, Zach, & JarrotDrinking with GrandmaToasting her 80thThe wine tasters at Shady LaneElise & HannahThe big ‘uns: Hannah, Zach & EliseLydia conquering the dunesLydia & Jarrot at the bottom of the dune climb (not pictured: Steve)
It was fun to have everyone together, especially since we got to celebrate Judy’s 80th birthday!
Toasting Judy: Elise, Lydia & meThe birthday celebration Zach & Gibson having mimosas with Grandma
On the heels of Brian’s visit we welcomed my sister Mickie and my niece Lauren and her “boyfriend” Caleb. Together we hit many of the same spots (dunes, wine, shopping). It was a fun, busy few days.
Welcome to TC!The blondes: Lauren, me, & MickieMandatory stop at Rocket FizzLauren & Caleb at the Secret GardenMe, Lauren & Mickie at the Secret Garden Old Mission Lighthouse Mandatory stop at ChantalWine on the deckLauren & MickieMe & Lauren at Peninsula CellarsMandatory stop at MoomersBottom of the dune climb with Lauren & Caleb (Steve not pictured)Sailing Lake CharlevoixCaleb, Lauren & Mickie sailing into Lake Michigan
What we didn’t know was that Lauren and Caleb had a secret. A few weeks after returning home to AZ, they surprised us all and got married! So, unbeknownst to us, we kinda celebrated their honeymoon here in Traverse City! Congrats kids!
Congratulations to the newlyweds!
Next to swing through town was Steve’s brother Gary and his two kids Brynn and Hudson. We were sorry sister-in-law Kristy couldn’t make it to share in the fun. The group went fishing one morning and caught a bunch of lake trout and Brynn and I spent another day shopping in downtown Traverse City. The kids also did the dune climb with Steve, which was his third time in three weeks.
Brynn, Gary, Hudson & SteveThe fishermen: Steve & Gary (not pictured: Hudson & Brynn)Gary & HudsonBrynn & PoppyMandatory stop at ChantalHudson & Steve cooking up their catch of lake troutBrynn & Hudson at the bottom of the dune climb (not pictured: Steve)Exploring Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
We had a quick visit from my cousin Red and Judy. He was in town to watch his granddaughter McKenna compete at Flintfields, the world-class equestrian center that’s right next to our resort. We didn’t get photos of the group but McKenna was a big winner, which was fun to see.
Mitch made his second visit to Traverse City in early August and stayed with us for a week. We kept busy with visits to farmers markets, a distillery, wineries, and a day on a pontoon in Torch Lake with our neighbors Norb and Linda. Mitch got to know the neighbors and a good time was had by all!
Happy hour with neighborsInterlochen Farmers MarketIron Fish Distillery tourExploring the Chain of LakesMitch, me, Linda, Norb & Steve Mitch & Linda at the Torch Lake sandbar
Mitch was also helpful around the house, helping Steve with the installation of new furniture and a few other projects.
For the fourth summer our dear friends Dave and Peggy Armstrong joined us as part of their summer vacation. We were excited to show them a few of our favorite parts of Traverse city. The guys caught lake Michigan salmon, Peggy and I hiked, and of course we visited the wineries with Kunio and Michelle.
Early rising fishermanThe big catch! Lake Michigan salmonHiking at Grass RiverWine at Left Foot Charlie’sKunio, Michelle, Peggy, Dave, Steve & me at Brys EstateChocolate and Cheese wine tasting at Brys EstateMandatory stop at Chateau Chantal for wine
Our summer was also dotted with fun social events here at the Traverse Bay RV Resort including a fun progressive dinner and numerous happy hours. We also made two trips to Shipshewana, IN. Once to have a new refrigerator installed and once for the National Grand Design Rally where we had additional repairs made to our home on wheels.
Grilling pineapple for the progressive dinnerProgressive dinner cocktails with Steve McKelvyWorking the progressive dinnerPaul & Steve celebrating their work at the progressive dinnerHappy hour with MaryHanging out at the National Grand Design Rally in Goshen, INMaking his last pancake of the season
The summer fun is not quite over, but we are winding down and getting ready to head east for the fall marathon season. More blog posts are forthcoming, so please stay tuned!
As DINKS, we didn’t have the normal expenses that accompany children. And, as you know, we value travel as an educational experience. As such, we have offered all of our nieces and nephews a trip of their choosing when they turn 16. Our latest adventures are with Brynn, Steve’s brother Gary’s sweet daughter.
Sweet Brynn
Brynn told us several years ago that Italy was her choice. Our two week trip takes us to Rome, Cinque Terre, Florence, and the Amalfi Coast. This post will cover our first week.
KC Airport Ready to flyAirport conversations We made it to Rome
We flew from Kansas City to Rome with no delays or issues. Our driver was waiting for us in Rome and took us directly to our hotel in the Trastevere neighborhood. From there we wandered a bit, trying to shake off the overnight flight.
Theatre of PompeyWandering past Julius Caesar’s assignation sitePantheonAll’Antico Vinao sandwichesFirst of many gelatosOn the banks of the TiberSteve drinking from one of Rome’s many fountains
Though we were jet-lagged we booked a golf cart tour for our first afternoon to give us an overview of the key sites. We’ll return for a more in depth look at Rome at the end of our trip.
The golf cart was a perfect way to get oriented and see the major sites. From the Trevi Fountain to the Colosseum and from the Vatican to the Spanish Steps, we caught glimpses of the most famous of Rome’s landmarks.
Piazza NavonaFountains at Piazza NavonaTrevi Fountain Trevi Fountain Top of the Spanish StepsFirst look at the Colosseum St Peter’s Basilica
The next morning we took the train to Levanto, a small city on the northern border of Cinque Terre National Park.
Rome Train Station Long train rideFiguring out the trainsWe made it to Levanto
The next morning our wonderful guide, Stefano, led us back to the train station and through the two of the five quaint, picturesque, seaside towns that make up Cinque Terre. Our first stop was Vernazza, with its small, protected harbor and its church dating to the 11th century .
Stefano guiding us in VernazzaVineyards above VernazzaHigh above VernazzaVernazza was our favorite VernazzaVernazzaVernazza harbor
After a walking tour up and down the steps of the town, we took the train to the village of Monterosso. Here we wandered the narrow lanes and ancient landmarks until we came to our lunch restaurant.
Catching the train Monterosso al Mare
Pesto is a specialty in this region of Italy, so we took a lesson in pesto making before being served lunch. Steve got the sauce started by crushing fresh basil and pine nuts. Brynn finished, using her muscles to create a fine sauce.
Using the mortar to crush the fresh basilWorking in the local olive oilEnjoying a special lunch
Stefano left us after lunch and we explored two of the remaining three villages on our own. By the end of the day we had walked over 20,000 steps and climbed over 40 flights of stairs. We felt like we earned our gelato!
RiomaggioreManarolaRiomaggiore Well deserved gelato stopTired travelers in Vernazza
Our second day in Levanto was just as active. In the morning we borrowed bikes from the hotel and rode north on an old, seaside, rail trail to the villages of Bonassola and Framura. We couldn’t pass up a stop on the beach for a little dip.
View from the trailOld railway trail Stopping to enjoy the viewOcean views along the way Fun along the trailThank goodness for the lights in the tunnelA little beach stopAnd a dip in the Med SeaIncredible views
After our picturesque ride, we met up with our guide Luca for a paddling trip down the Ligurian coast. The cliffs that make these ancient villages so pretty also make for a scenic paddle. Since the water is still a bit cool in late May, our wetsuits were appreciated. This was Brynn’s first time paddling in the open ocean and she did great!
Wetsuits 💕Paddling partnersAlong the coastIncredible rock cliffsA happy girlThree happy paddlers
We moved on from the beautiful Cinque Terre for a quick stop in Florence. We only had a day and a half in the city, but we crammed in as much as we could.
Cathedral of Santa Maria del FiorePiazza della RepubblicaPonte VecchioSunset in Florence Inside Palazzo Vecchio
Even though we are early in the season the crowds in Florence can be overwhelming. Our museum guide, Fillipo, made it easy to skip the lines and the crowds at the Accademia. He guided us through the galleries, providing just enough detail and background to understand the most important works. Of course, we were most interested to see Michelangelo’s David. Considered one of the most important works of art on the planet, it truly takes your breath away.
Brynn with a prisonerFirst look at The DavidShe saw him!
After our museum visit we spent most of the rest of the day wandering the streets and alleyways of Florence, stopping frequently to shop, eat, or check out a market.
Pastries at the Mercato CentraleAffogato from the wine window at Vivoli Milkshake breakAffogato & lemon gelatoPonte Vecchio Anniversary dinner
We found our way across the Arno River to the Piazzelle. Michelangelo where Steve, my mom, and I visited in 1999. It was fun to recreate our photo of mom in her honor. Steve gets credit for both photos.
2025 — 1999
We celebrated our 38th wedding anniversary while in Florence with a great meal and a bottle of wine. Thanks to Brynn for being our photographer!
We’re heading south and will post a recap of the second half of Brynn’s Italian adventure next week.