Niagara Trip Highlights--Day 3--The Falls

This is the view we woke up to on Tuesday morning of the trip. It was from the room in the Embassy Suites Hotel. We were told at one point that is very unusual to get a room with a view of both the American and Canadian Falls. I believe everyone in our group enjoyed this for the three mornings--and evenings--that we were in Niagara. I'm not sure how she managed this, but great job, Carol!

We had a step-on tour guide for the entire day on Tuesday. We
learned lots of inside information about the Falls and some of the history surrounding them. Our first stop was a tour into tunnels behind the Falls.

Joe and Kathy Harrison (and all the rest of us) donned our rain slickers. We needed them too, because it was a bit damp! When looking out at the Falls it was hard to see anything but a wall of water. The photo below is from a side angle and gives an idea of what we saw.


The tremendous mist created by the falling water obscures the view somewhat from certain angles. After we went behind the falls we bordered the "Hornblower" boat to take a trip out into the water for a closer look. The "Maid of the Mist" shown below was another boat just like the one we were on. It departs from the American side.

This shows the American Falls in the background. Our guide told stories of people who have gone over the Horseshoe falls (mostly in some type of barrel) and survived--or not! It is, of course, illegal to try this, but several have done it over the years. And tightrope walkers have also been successful in walking across the huge gorge!

On the right is a close-up view of the Horseshoe Falls from the boat. It is hard to believe the power of the water. The photo below is the American Falls from the boat. No-one has ever tried to go over these because of the huge rocks below.


It is easy to see why! This photo also shows the Bridal Veil falls on the right side of the American Falls. Some sources even state that there are three different Falls.


Our guide told us that it is possible now to shut off the Falls, and that has been done to keep at least one person from trying to go over them. A young child also went over them by accident many years ago--and survived!  As one would expect, the water supplies power to much of the surrounding area. The hydro-electric power companies can now control the amount of water flow to help slow the rate of erosion.     

After a delicious lunch at the Secret Garden Restaurant, we traveled a short distance up the gorge from the Falls and saw the Rapids. These are Class 6 Rapids and are considered un-runnable!

 As we left the immediate area of the Falls, our guide pointed out the Rainbow Bridge that connects Niagara Falls, Canada, with Niagara Falls, US. No trucks are allowed on the bridge--only foot traffic, bicycles or cars. This bridge opened in 1941. It is built high above the water of the Niagara River so that ice in the river cannot destroy it as it did the previous bridge.

As we left this breathtaking natural wonder created by glaciers millions of years ago, everyone was in awe of what they had seen.

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!

Condolences to the Family of Larry Casey

 

Larry Casey age 79 of Newton passed away at 11:27 p.m., Tuesday, October 11, 2016 at St. John’s Hospital, Springfield, Illinois.

Funeral services for Larry will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, October 15, 2016 at the Crain Funeral Home, Newton. Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Friday, October 14 and from 10:00 am until time of service on Saturday in the funeral home. Burial will be in the West Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery, Newton.

Larry was born on April 27, 1937 the son of E. Harold and Geraldine (Singler) Casey. On December 26, 1965, Larry married Jane Miller in Monticello, Illinois. For thirteen years, Larry served his country in the US Army Reserves.

Larry was a graduate of Ramsey High School and the University of Illinois College of ACES. Serving in the counties of Pike, Macoupin, Jasper, and the Effingham Extension Education Center, Larry was a Crop Educator for the U of I Extension. After retiring, Larry remained active in the 4-H Foundation and Jasper County 4-H Alumni. In 2012, he was inducted into the 4-H Hall of Fame. His professional memberships include the Illinois State Extension Association Retirees and the Epsilon Sigma Phi National Honorary Extension Fraternity.

Through his desire to better Jasper County, Larry served on the board for the consolidation of the Jasper County Schools and the building of the Brush Creek Medical Center. He was active in the Grace United Methodist Church, the United Methodist Men, Operation Backpack, Honey-Do Ministries, Tourism Council, Newton Rotary Club and the Jasper County Antique Tractor Club. For two and one half years, Larry served as the executive director of the Jasper County Chamber of Commerce. In 2007, Larry was awarded the Jasper County Citizen of the Year.

Larry enjoyed gardening, attending auctions sales, and furthering his knowledge of his collections. He also enjoyed cooking and was the champion at IL State Fair Pork Cook-off. His winning dish was stuffed pork chops. Working with Hartrich Meats, Larry and the Hartrichs started the tradition of the pork burger in Jasper County. First used as a fundraiser for the teen center, the pork burger is the staple of most fundraisers today.

Larry will be loved and remembered by his wife Jane Casey of Newton; sons, Doug Casey, wife DeEtta of Newton, Doug Casey, wife Sun-Nyo of Clarksville, TN; daughters Debbie McClure of Newton , Diana Casey of Coffeen, IL, and Dana Hart, husband Bryan of Albion, IL; grandchildren Casey McClure, wife Kendra of Monticello, IL, Kristen McClure of Champaign, IL, Maggie McClure and Michaela McClure both of Newton; Dylan Casey, wife Sommer of Edwardsville, IL and Derek Casey, wife Amy of Troy, IL, Branden Casey of Clarksville, TN, and Caden Hart and Eli Hart of Albion, great-grandchildren Patrick and Audrey McClure of Monticello; brothers, Gerald Casey, wife Laurna and Keith Casey, wife Terry both of Bingham; sister Sharon Veach of Hunt City.

His parents and siblings Darrel, Doris, and Lyle Casey preceded him in death.
Memorial gifts in honor of Larry may be made to either the Grace United Methodist Church, the 4-H Foundation or to Operation Backpack.

Online condolences may be offered at www.crainfuneral.com. 

Niagara Trip Highlights--Day 1

Twenty-nine Extension retirees and friends met the bus on Oct. 2nd at various locations for the six day trip to Niagara Falls. After lunch at Cracker Barrel in Plainfield, IN, the first stop was Warm Glow Candle Store in Centerville, IN.





This is an 11,000 square foot shopping experience filled with more candles than one can imagine. It has the largest candle in the world outside the store! The inside was beautifully decorated for Christmas, but it was still Fall outside.




         
And--with all those candles of every size and scent one can imagine, Joe Harrison and our bus driver, Bill, found something more interesting to look at!





                                     
Our evening meal featured an Irish Theme at the Sunny Street Cafe in Dublin, OH. We enjoyed Irish music while we ate.

Then a group of excellent young Irish Dancers entertained us. You will note that they have different dresses on. Each one has earned the right to wear a certain type of garment depending on their dance achievements.

It was a good start to a great trip. More details to come soon.