New York excursion

Hello!

We drove in last night from a few days' road trip to New York! Not the city, this time. We'll save that for another vacation. We drove "Upstate."

PALMYRA. We started out with Palmyra, a tiny little village, which has an annual pageant. This show, depicting different scripture stories, has cast members dress up in ancient time period costumes. With 800 in the cast, a huge set up on the hill, and 6000 chairs down on the field below, it's pretty impressive!

There are also a lot of church history sites right around Palmyra. We got to visit them during the day -- the Smith family home, and the printing press building where the first copies of the Book of Mormon were printed.

Then we saw the pageant that night.

NIAGARA FALLS. After Palmyra, we had to zip up to the border, and visit Niagara Falls National Park. Frank and I had been there previously (and I went with my family when I was in college, too). But we wanted the kids to go, and I could actually visit often and not be tired of it. What a beautiful place! It's a popular spot for people from all over the world. But even with so many tourists, there are enough trails and activities that we didn't feel like it was too-too crowded.

The Canadians may be a bit biased, but in this case I think they are right...the Canadian view is better. If you can, you should take a passport and view the falls from the Canadian side -- you can see more of them. Also, New York has not built up hotels and tall buildings RIGHT next to the falls as much as Canada has. If you stand in Canada and take pics of New York, your photos will have more trees and fewer neon-sign buildings.

The American Falls are the straight stretch, then Bridal Veil Falls are the small ones to the right of American Falls. Horseshoe Falls curve around at the other end, like a horseshoe.

It's all beautiful, though, either side. They light up the falls at night, and 3 nights a week they do fireworks over the falls. Frank took some great night-time shots. Here's one of them.

Here is everybody before our "Cave of the Winds" walk, where you get ponchos and sandals to walk right under the falls.

We also rode the "Maid of the Mist" boat. It takes you into the mist of the Horseshoe Falls.

We had good weather for the trip--only got rained on when we were driving a few times.

We have such beauty in this country. I could visit national parks every week! This one was also very clean. With so many people visiting, that was a pleasant surprise.

Another perk on this trip: no stomach flu. :)

Have a great week! Kari