We Don't Do Winter or Summer!: St. Ignace to Niagara Falls

7/18 - The highlight of this week was our 4-night stay in the Niagara area. To get there, we drove a circuitous 2-day route from St. Ignace to Niagara Falls on the Canadian side of the border. We drove along the shores of Lake Michigan through tunnels of trees, well-kept small towns, and glimpses of the lake. Then we cut southeast to Flint, MI (we definitely did not stop to drink the water!) and then east toward Canada. We wanted to avoid big cities, toll roads, and freeways. So instead of crossing into Canada via the (toll) bridge between Port Huron and Sarnia, we drove south and crossed by a 3-car ferry at Algonac. Quite a fun experience!

We arrived in Niagara Falls in the afternoon and parked the car at the AirBnB. Since we couldn't check in yet, we walked to the Falls. The Falls are gorgeous from the Canadian side. Pictures describe this best.

American Falls We found a kind soul to take this Horseshoe Falls

We used the next day (partly rainy) to visit a winery (who would have thought there would be wineries in Niagara Falls?), do laundry, charge the car, and relax a little.

Winery in Niagara Falls

We had planned to return to the States the following day, but we read about a charming town just 10 miles north--Niagara-on-the-Lake. We grabbed 2 nights at a bed and breakfast there. The drive north was unexpectedly pleasant. Surrounded by lush vineyards and small wineries on the left and the Niagara River on the right, we were in awe. We later learned that Winston Churchill described this road as "The prettiest Sunday drive in the world." He was right. All the touristy stuff of Niagara Falls faded away and life slowed. We stopped (of course) at a little winery to taste and savor the ambiance.

Niagara-on-the-Lake itself is charming. Parks everywhere, well-maintained businesses, homes, and gardens. It felt like the 1920s.

Roger at the Niagara River Downtown Niagara-on-the-Lake

Downtown Niagara-on-the-Lake

Our bed and breakfast was a special treat. We rarely splurge for that sort of thing in the States since our travels in New Zealand where bed and breakfast places were priced lower than motels. But it was the only place we could find. It was a good decision. The bed and the breakfasts were wonderful!

First course: fruit plate French toast with peaches

We left Niagara-on-the-Lake wishing we had a summer home there. It would be delightful. Yet we had to move on...the woods of Maine were calling. After crossing the border into the U.S., we stopped in Webster, NY (near Rochester) for lunch with our daughter-in-law's parents. We chatted and laughed a lot over great food--it was so nice to reconnect with you, Danny and Carol! Then we moved on to the Finger Lakes area of New York where we spent the night. The next day we hiked along the shores of Lake Seneca and then moved on to Ballston Spa, NY right on the border with Vermont. Our historic hotel was a hoot (in Roger's words!).