Buffalo, Niagara Falls and Palmyra, New York - Vacation with the Girls

We took a great trip July 4 - 16th. We started by flying to Buffalo, New York. While in Buffalo, we drove past a home designed by famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright. We also visited the Michigan Avenue Baptist Church, part of the underground railroad. The church is the first church built in Buffalo for an all black congregation. It doesn't get a lot of visitors. We rang the bell and waited for while until Bishop Henderson answered. He used to be that pastor there, but now acts as Bishop and gave us a tour. It really isn't restored as church historical sites are. They congregation still meets there and relies heavily on donations to maintain the building. I loved a poster I saw in the entryway. It said:

WORRY ABOUT NOTHING...PRAY ABOUT EVERYTHING

I have joked since that I should get that tattooed on my arm. A very good sentiment. Something to live by. The church was one of the last stops on the underground railroad before slaves made it across the water and to Canada, if they were choosing to flee the country. They never lost a slave. None of them got discovered and turned back. It was a neat place to stop and visit.

We then drove our rental car on to Niagara Falls. It was a Saturday and the day after the 4th of July, so Niagara Falls was packed!!!!! PACKED!!!!! We also noticed that there was an unusually large number of East Indians there, which has been confirmed by others who have visited there. We didn't have passports so we didn't plan to go to the Canada side, which everyone says is spectacular. Instead, we went on the Maid of the Mist, a boat that takes you close to the falls. So close that they give you a complimentary blue hooded poncho. It was really hot. We were happy to soon ditch the hoods and just cool off with the water spray and cool breeze. After the falls, we were hungry, but we didn't stop to get food. It was a highlight of the trip and probably one of my favorite things we've done on a vacation. Falls outside of the park is very touristy. We wanted to get out as soon as possible. We didn't want to deal with prices or crowds. A note to anyone who wants to go there, get food before heading across the bridge toward the falls. Once you get on the bridge, there's NO TURNING BACK. The girls were good sports about waiting longer for food. We got some good sandwiches and donut holes and Tim Hortons.

These are our "Whew, it's hot and humid" faces

Hello, Canada. This picture is for James DeVuyst

Got our ponchos. We're ready to go

Whoa, this is awesome! 

Ditched the hoods and cooled off.