Day 13 - Around Niagara Falls, NY

Today started out at 9:03 after a continental breakfast. First two items on the agenda were an ATM and a Starbucks. We discovered early on that Wells Fargo Banks are as scarce in this part of the country as grapes are plentiful. Settled on a Bank of America and a $3.00 charge. Bummer.

Now for the Starbucks. Barb said there were a bunch (which meant about 6) shown on the GPS and punched one in. I followed the blue line and verbal directions to the letter. Right up to the toll booth for the bridge over the river to Canada. And no way to go back. And passports back at the motel. Fortunately it was still early, so I pulled into a closed toll booth to plot my next move. A quick 360 degree look confirmed no escape. With little traffic around, I backed up about fifty feet, made a u-turn, drove against the incoming traffic for several hundred feet and made a quick right turn out of trouble. Can you imagine what Homeland Security would have thought had they seen that move? I’d be calling you for bail.

With nothing left on the agenda except doing some laundry in the afternoon, we headed north on highway 18F for Fort Niagara State Park. The drive along the river to the fort, which sits at the junction of the Niagara River and Lake Ontario, was a nice way to spend several hours. Great little country road and a lot of beautiful old homes.

The fort covers about 250 acres and was first used by the French in 1678. Through the years it has filled a number or roles, including troop training during the Spanish-American War and WWI, prisoner of war camp for Germans captured in North Africa during WWII, emergency housing for troops returning from WWII and in later years it was the headquarters for Nike missiles.

Then a short drive to the town of Wilson and back along the same route. The grapes seem to have disappeared for the time being, but corn has made a big time comeback.

Returning to Niagara Falls we decided on a light lunch. Headed back to Little Italy, the site of last night’s dinner, and split a sandwich.

Back in the motel now. Barb is doing a little laundry and I’m writing this up. Tonight will be yet another Italian night with the leftover spaghetti. Mamma Mia.

Tomorrow we hope for a 7:00 am or earlier start for the 435 mile drive to Northfield, Vermont. Will we have New England Fall colors? Stay tuned. 77 miles today.

Canadian Falls
Niagara Falls, New York