We drove up through Detroit to Windsor and then across Ontario to Niagara Falls, Ontario.

On September 25 and part of September 26, we experienced the end results of Hurricane Rita, no longer a named storm but with plenty of rain.

Because of the rain, we didn't get out to see the sights until Anne and Douglas arrived in the afternoon of the 26th. Their arrival just happened to coincide with a brief sunny spell.

American Falls

Horeshoe Falls

Douglas photographing Anne and the falls

Later that evening, we had our dinner at TGI Fridays and walked back to our hotel... exhausted from the long walks (that hill down to the falls wasn't bad, but the climb back up was a killer!).

On the 27th, we drove up the river to see the sights along the way to Lake Ontario.

Not pictured is the botanical garden, which is beautiful and which we highly recommend!

Whirlpool and rapids

We didn't ride the cable car across!

The Skylon Tower Revolving Restaurant

Where we had lunch. Great Views!

After an afternoon of shopping (successful in finding one quilt shop --- the Patchwork Porch, highly recommneded!--- but the yarn shop and the craft store didn't exist, at least not at the addresses listed in the yellow pages), we went back to the falls to see them lit up at night.

Horseshoe Falls

American Falls

The primary reason to go to Niagara Falls was to meet Anne Lee and her husband Douglas, from Scotland. Anne is a cl on iVillage and they were taking a three week holiday in the US, traveling all over the country.

American Falls

Maid of the Mist and Horseshoe Falls

Floral Clock

Supposed to be the largest in the world

Douglas and Lake Ontario

There was a HUGE dead fish at Douglas' feet, but you can't see it in this photo.

And after the light show at the falls, we broke the long hard climb back up the hill with a latte and a hot chocolate at Starbuck's!

Carol with a latter, Anne with a hot chocolate,

and Douglas with a capuccino! Charlie is the photographer!