Niagara Trip Highlights--Day 5

This was our view from the hotel as we prepared to leave Niagara and the Falls area. It was a beautiful sunrise coming up through the mist of the Falls!

It wasn't too long until we were
back in the US and headed south to Cleveland Ohio. We had to get off the bus to go through customs in the US--which we didn't have to do in Canada. It was pretty un-eventful both times, though.

 Our next attraction was the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio. We had lunch there and toured the museum. From Elvis, to the Beatles--and lots more both past and present, we were able to see and hear about musicians, bands, producers, and others who have influenced the history of Rock & Roll. And the Hall of Fame is located on the shore of Lake Erie. There was a beautiful view of the lake!

Another item of interest was Johnny Cash's tour bus (J.C. Unit one) that was parked outside the museum. It was interesting to walk through it and see the furnishings of the time.

After leaving Cleveland, we headed to Wooster, Ohio to the
"Everything Rubbermaid" Store. There were four floors of shopping opportunities, so lots of us found things we thought we couldn't live without.

After Wooster came Millersburg, Ohio. Jonas and Edna, our Amish guides for the evening, joined us on the bus as we drove out to the country for dinner at an Amish home. The meal provided by Peggy Stutzman and her helpers was delicious! We learned about Amish customs in that area--which seemed to be a thriving community.                                      

 Everyone enjoyed the meal, and we even had a couple of other tourists join our group. Then it was back to the hotel.  Once again--no-one went to bed hungry!

Niagara Trip Highlights--Day 4

Sooooo-now we begin the short afternoons and long evenings. And not a thing we can do about it! Oh well. Back to the trip.

After a great day at Niagara Falls we began with a beautiful scenic trip to Niagara-On-The-Lake. It is a Canadian town in Southern Ontario where the Niagara River meets Lake Ontario.

We took a walking tour, and had a guide who told us lots of interesting history. It was once the capitol of  Ontario, was a refuge for British loyalists fleeing the US after the Revolutionary War, and was the scene of a bloody battle during the War of  1812. It was also burned to the ground by American troops during that war, but was re-built by some very loyal citizens.
                                    

If you look very closely at the photo of Lake Ontario you can see some small white buildings in the distance. This is a point where swimmers try to make it across to Toronto--similar to swimming the English Channel. It is about 32 miles--depending on how the currents affect the swimmer.

The vegetation was extremely beautiful when we were there. We were told that it was at its best of the season--and that it could be killed by frost very soon.

After the walking tour we had a little time for shopping or lunch--which we really didn't need! Then it was time for High Tea at the Prince of Wales Hotel. The horses and carriages lined up on the side of it were waiting to take people on tours of the town. The tourism group there has really worked hard to keep its old time charm alive!



High Tea in the Drawing Room of the Hotel was wonderful! We were served scones, sandwiches, and elegant desserts too numerous to mention along with our tea. As you can see in the photo below, Ruby, Rick, Janet, Glennon, Sheila, Nancy, Larry, Diane, and Dale certainly seem to be enjoying themselves.

Niagara-On-The-Lake is in wine country. We were a bit surprised to learn that grapes can flourish that far north, but were told that all the water from the lakes tends to make the climate more moderate. However, it also provides the opportunity to let grapes freeze on the vine before they are harvested. Then they are processed while they are still frozen and made into ice wine slushies. Looks like several members of our group were interested in the sampling! I believe some purchases also made it back to Illinois.

                                                                             

After a brief stop at our hotel, we went to dinner at the Skylon Tower. We enjoyed another spectacular view of all the Falls from the revolving restaurant 775 feet above the ground. Yes, we rode the elevator to the top in 52 seconds--even though a few were a little skeptical. After dinner we walked up to the observation deck of Skylon to see fireworks over the Falls--a real treat for sure!

Niagara Trip Highlights--Day 3 (After the Falls)

Our last view of the Niagara River Gorge was the Niagara Whirlpool. It formed at the end of the Rapids where the Gorge turns abruptly counterclockwise, and the river escapes through the narrowest channel in the Gorge. The whirlpool is over 4,000 years old and 125 ft. deep. Most of the time the water spins counterclockwise. I believe our guide said that the Falls had retreated 7 miles from this point over thousands of years.


The next stop was the Floral Clock of Niagara Park. It is maintained by the Niagara Park Horticulture staff and is changed twice per year. Thousands of different bedding plants make up the design--which is different each time. We decided this was the perfect spot for our group photo. Everyone will be identified later. Another point mentioned by our guide several times was that we were very lucky to have a warm sunny day in October for our tour. The weather was perfect!

                              
A surprise stop was the Welland Canal that connects Lake Ontario and Lake Erie. It forms a key section of the St. Lawrence Seaway and allows ships to ascend and descend the Niagara Escarpment so they can bypass Niagara Falls. Approximately 40 million tons of cargo on 3,000 ships pass through the canal each year. It didn't take long for the ship on the left to be raised out of the water and ready to pass on to the next lock. However, the total journey through eight locks takes about 11 hours. Ships are raised 326 feet.

After a brief stop at our hotel--and more time to enjoy the amazing view of the Falls, we were off to the Oh Canada Eh?dinner theater. A five course meal was served by the wait staff--who were also the entertainers. They presented a humorous, musical Canadian show that paid tribute to 30 of Canada's most famous recording artists. It was a very enjoyable evening! Chuck Richey had an especially good time when
one of the performers decided to
pay him some special attention! Maybe he was just a little red-faced? Hard to tell because the photo was too close!  Oh Canada Eh? has been voted Niagara Falls' tourism attraction of the year seven times.

What else is there to say? The whole day was great!

                 

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.