July 19, 2015: Cousins Road Trip to Niagara & Toronto: Day 3

The Travelin' Cousins on board the Maid of the Mist

Tanya's Daily Scoop
CURRENTLY TRAVELING IN: TORONTO

Having an Awesome time!

WOOHOO!!
Happy Sunday and Greetings from TORONTO!

Before I tell you all about today, let's back track to yesterday's scoop:

Our group had a leisurely morning at our hotel - 
The Hilton Niagara Falls / Fallsview and then finally met up in the lobby ready to head back across the border into New York to ride on the Maid of the Mist and go to the Cave of Winds..

Downtime = checking wifi!

Driving over Rainbow Bridge back to NY

Walking to Niagara Falls State Park

All piling in one vehicle, Tedd drove us back across the busy border and back into NY. The border crossing was smooth sailing and easy peasy. 

Driving across the Rainbow Bridge and into the mess of traffic that was all looking for a parking spot! It really sucked! 

And get this - when the lots near Niagara State Park are full, you basically have no choice but to drive in a circle and back to the beginning mess of the traffic!

It was just plain stupid. But heck just in case you happen to get hungry or feel like shopping while driving or walking around there were plenty of Kebob stands, and "discount" T-Shirt vendors!

We wisely decided to drive in a different direction the second time around and found a parking spot, but then had issues with the machine to get our parking ticket. Whatever..

Finally, we all loaded out of the SUV and headed in the direction of the Maid of the Mist. 
While walking the few blocks over to the park, a freakin' lady walked right into my arm! 
No biggie. 
But then a few minutes later, Cosette tells me that after the lady passed me that she quietly told me to "watch where I was walking" - UMMM REALLY?! You walk into my arm and tell meeeee to watch where I'm going!!! 
Cosette knows her mum, and knew to wait until the lady was long gone before sharing this info with me...
She knew that I'd have more than a mouthful to say and go off on this walking talking IDIOT of a lady!

Once approaching the visitors center there were crowds and people EVERYWHERE. 
We purchased our tickets, and headed in the direction of the line to board the boat.

BUT...not before stopping for a few photo opps!

Surprisingly Dominic and Cosette didn't remember much from the last time we took this boat ride, and so I guess this was a "new" experience for all of these guys...
Which since I could clearly recall how much fun this boat ride was; It was very exciting for me to await seeing all of these guys get SOAKED and have a BLAST!!

Cosette pointing out the Cave of Winds to Gianna

Next up our plans were to head over to the Cave of Winds, but first since the staircase next to the falls was open, we decided to take the WET walk up the side of the falls - which was SO MUCH FUN!!!

And once we were done and already soaked and soppy, the kids no longer seemed excited about the Cave of Winds - which I KNOW is fun, but perhaps will be more appreciated (and less crowded) on the back end of our trip, when we drive to Albany from Toronto! 

So back across the border we went again!
And then can you guess what the kids wanted to do???

Go to the pool and the gym! 

So I let Elisa rest (she had a headache) and took the kiddies to the crowded pool, where they had plenty of fun playing around and going down the slide, until it was time to change and go to the gym.

I just want to throw in here and give props as to how proud I was of these kiddos wanting to go to the gym and get a good workout in!

Next up was heading to dinner, at the Vegan restaurant 'Rise Above' in St. Catharines.

At first we had a few table members who must've been over hungry and were just being plain 'ol difficult...I won't name any names!
But once they got food into their bellies, all was well and everyone was back to their giddy selves!

The food was enjoyed by all, and we each indulged in a lovely dessert before heading back to the hotel for the night.

Now the car got a bit crazy on the drive back to the hotel...we were all singing and having plenty of fun...UNTIL something terrible happened...

2 of the girls passed gas, and it was just SOOOO bad, that I couldn't breath and began gagging! 

I was fortunate enough to have a window to stick my head out of for the remainder of the ride...
But poor Cosette was stuck in the back with no window, and nothing but fumes!! 


I can't even imagine how awful it was for her. She was gagging, I'm out the window, and everyone was either cracking up in laugher and/or holding their breath!

Head out the window in torture!

Keep in mind that I am the very PRUDISH cousin, so this experience and discussion about the experience was a bit much for me. 
The kids were all laughing and carrying on as we arrived into the hotel and at the elevators. 
I was so completely embarrassed that I couldn't even ride up with the other people waiting for the elevator who must've heard the conversation - we waited for the next elevator...

Anyhow, the girls had wanted to hang out in my room, which I was totally fine with...
But first I asked the girls to PLEASE go spend some time in the restroom and relive themselves!

Once everyone had dressed for bed and settled the girls turned on the TV to wind down - it was just so adorable how they were piled on top of each other!  

Gianna decided to go back to her room and sleep with her parents, while Kelsey chose to stay with us.

At around 3:30am I was woken up by the loud strikes of thunder as the lightening struck near the falls. I stayed awake for a bit watching and listening to the storm. 

Today we are heading to watch a Toronto Blue Jays game at Roger's Centre and I'm totally stoked...as this will be a new stadium for my conquest! 

It should be a lot of fun!!
and...
I'll tell ya all about it in tomorrow's SCOOP...

Hope you make Sunday a Funday!

See ya back here on Monday,
-T

Elisa's Daily Scoop
CURRENTLY TRAVELING IN: TORONTO

Wet & Wild at Niagara Yesterday!!

Hi there and a Big Hello from TORONTO, CANADA!!!

in the lobby of the Hilton Hotel yesterday before heading to the American side of the Falls

Here we are, Day 3 of our Niagara-Toronto road trip and are we having a blast!!!

First, let's talk about the kids...living 3000 miles away from one another, you wouldn't think they would not be that close -but they are and every time we do a trip together, it's as if there is not the slightest bit of distance between these guys.

Cosette and Gianna seem to be the most obnoxious together out of all four - and I say that with love and affection. They get so giddy - it's hard to take a firm stand yelling and reprimanding when they are having so much fun!  (I threatened Gianna 3 times already to take away her iPhone and of course, I haven't done it yet.) 
Oh well.  Kids will be kids.

Before I get into what we have planned for today, let me backtrack to our totally fun and WET day yesterday at Niagara Falls!!

We all met up in the lobby first thing - ok, well, it wasn't first thing - it was already 11:30.  Gianna stayed overnight in Tanya's room and the kiddies had one helluva time getting up this morning.

Gianna finally got herself going and she, Kelsey, me and Tedd headed downstairs to the buffet at our hotel, The Hilton Niagara Falls / Fallsview.

Pre-breakfast Selfies

Following a hearty breakfast for my gang, I decided to do a short vlog about the day ahead before heading over to the America side of The Falls...

We decided to pile in one car since we had to go back and forth through the border.  While the Canadian side of Niagara is prettier, the Maid of the Mist and Cave of Winds is on the American side.

So, that's where we were headed!!

Car pooling over to American side of the Falls (Gianna is hidden behind Dominic)

The Maid of the Mist is located a short walk through Niagara Falls State Park, which is quite lovely, with lots of different activities throughout the park and a visitor's center filled with a wide array of educational and entertainment options.

We headed straight for the boat ride!! 

pretty good shot of the sign (from the moving car) until this guy photo bombed my photo!

walking toward the Maid of the Mist

You can see from the photo directly below, the Maid of the Mist heads right for The Falls. 

I have to tell you that I never expected to have so much fun!!!

After waiting on a line to board, we were handed our blue "Maid of the Mist" plastic ponchos, and continued on down to board.   

I told our crowd to think of the boat as a loaf of bread - not to stand on the inside, or the "doughy" part, but instead to go for the "crust"  - and secure places by the edges so we get both a great view as ultimately soaked as we could!!!

Niagara Falls!!! What we came to see!

Maid of the Mist heading for The Falls

The line leading up to boarding the Maid of the Mist

Tanya was in the front, leading the way and headed straight for the front of the boat on the lower level.  Unfortunately, all the "crust" areas were taken. (insert sad face). 

BUT, we did manage to secure a great location, where we not only had some terrific views, but we managed to get totally and utterly soaked!!!

And then, halfway through the ride, Cosette yells "CRUST!"  Some other passengers moved and we were able to stand by the edge!!

The kids had a blast!  Tanya and I snapped away, trying to keep our cameras as dry as possible, which was not an easy feat.  Selfies, shots of The Falls - all while the water hammered at us!!  It was great!

Just boarding

Our view of the upper level from where we stood below

Our journey is just beginning

Headed for the falls

in the throws of the mist

Getting hammered with the sprays from The Falls

View from the boat of the magnificent Falls

Now,  if the ride on the Maid of the Mist wasn't amazing enough, our next little excursions was even better!!!

We took a walk up the side of The Falls! 

You can see in the picture below, the line of "blue ponchos" going up and around the side of The Falls.  Well, that is precisely what we did. 

I absolutely LOVED IT!!  There were puddles all around; showers coming down on us everywhere; wind blowing; our shoes were DRENCHED!
IT WAS THE BEST!!!

---

Get this poncho off!!

Got some great shots from the Observation Deck!!

Look closely at the line of blue ponchos making their way up around The Falls

Great day!!  We ended with a most delicious meal at a terrific Vegan restaurant called Rise Above, which I'm sure Tanya will be featuring in an upcoming Foodie Friday!!

The ride home was even "funner" as I put on my Jason Derulo CD and we had a huge sing-along to my favorite song on the album.  Tedd was not enjoying the music, nor the volume and most certainly not the loud singing.  Oh well, the rest of us had a great time.

Today, we are headed to Toronto where we'll see the Toronto Blue Jays play the Tampa Bay Rays.  First time I will have ever seen a baseball game at Roger's Center.  It will also mark the first time Gianna and Kelsey see a professional baseball game!

Gotta get rolling.  Hasta la vista baby!!

See ya back here tomorrow!!

-E
xoxo