Niagara Trip Highlights--Day 2

After a restful evening in Dublin, and a good breakfast, we were back on the bus to travel to Cleveland, Ohio. Our first stop was the Christmas Story House.

"The Christmas Story" is a movie made in 1983 that has become an American Classic. It is set in the 1940's and is about how a young boy named Ralphie tries to make sure he gets a Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas.

                                

The movie supposedly took place in Indiana, but there was an interesting story about how it ended up being filmed in a house in Ohio. And it was also interesting to learn how the house was restored many years later and opened to the public for tours.

A highlight of our tour was when Rick Lingle decided to put on the bunny suit pajamas that Ralphie's aunt Clara gave him for Christmas. He posed for us in full costume--and Ruby joined in the fun!

We also saw the famous Leg Lamp--a major award that you know about if you have seen the movie. And we all did watch the movie on the bus as we rode from Cleveland to Niagara.

Lunch was at the Market Garden Brewery in Cleveland, and we later toured the West Side Market. It featured over 100 vendors with every type of food anyone could want. None of us bought much food because we were traveling; and we had plenty of chocolate on the bus--of course!

Then it was on to Canada. We made it through Customs with no problems. The view of Lake Erie was beautiful as we went by. Did you know that all five of the Great Lakes are actually joined together?

After we checked into our hotel in Niagara and got our first amazing view of the Falls, (more on that for day 3) we went to dinner at Weinkeller restaurant. The menu featured a 5 course meal where each individual could choose the 5 items they wanted. I don't think anyone went away hungry!