God's Country - Part II

July 24th - August 16th

We arrived in Canada on a warm balmy day with a pleasant breeze, such a nice change from New Yorks ghastly temperatures.  After collecting our car, we were off to the country where we stayed with my cousin and her family.  A warm welcome from Lesley, Marc, Britteny, Brooke and Matthew (the South African) had us feeling settled as if it was our home.

Canada is such a pretty country and the summer blooms keep me smiling with the lavender, iris, Russian Sage, artemisia and countless others in such an array of beautiful colours.  The country side is lush and green with the spring rain here ensuring a good show for us.  Canadians are very proud and fly their flag everywhere, nice to see.

My mum was very happy to see her grandchildren and they too enjoyed riding on the back of the wheelchair.  We had a nice day out at the zoo with mum, Michelle and Lucas.  The Pandas were a little sleepy but the Grizzlies put on a show for us, I have to say the bears were the highlight for me.  The next day we were off again, this time to Niagara Falls to stay at Great Wolf Lodge and of course to see the great gushes of water pounding down.  Great Wolf Lodge is an indoor water park with slides, lazy river and my favourite the frog pond. If you don't mind listening to constant flowing water, in large amount, sequels and laughter of children and general chatter of mums and dad talking to each over all this noise, than this is the place for you.  The kids enjoyed a day and a half of water slides and mini putt so they were well and truly tickled.  We took a break in between and took the kids off to the Falls.  With out a doubt, the Canadian side of the falls is far more spectacular to view than from it's counterpart the USA.  The viewing platform is a tiny jetty up on large stilts, so they can get some views of the Horseshoe Falls.  There are 2 falls, the American Falls and the Canadian Horseshoe Falls with the American Falls divided into 2 sections with the Bridal Veil Falls next to it, aptly named for its appearance.

Some stats on the Falls;

• Niagara Falls covers a land area of 212 square kms.
• approx. 12,000 years old.
• Annie Taylor was the first person to travel over the falls in a barrel in 1901...she was defeated.
• Recently, some brave souls attempted the plunge in a kayak and a jet ski, they both perished.
• Electricity is generated from the falls with a certain percentage of water diverted to power stations thus providing electrical services to Southern Ontario and Western New York.
• American Falls: height 56 metres, actual fall is 21.3 metres due rocks at the base.  Volume of water is 567,811 litres per second.
• Horseshoe Falls: height 51 metres.  Volume of water is 2,271,247 litres per second...that is huge.

The next day we were back just with enough time to unpack, do some laundry and repack for our trip up to Muskoka.  This is 'cottage' country where the pine trees are in abundance, lakes reflecting the colours of nature which surround them, while the crickets make their songs as you have an early morning paddle.  The kids experienced tubing and Emma even had a go at water skiing, I am sure given some time she would have gotten up.  Fun had by all!

After this we mooched around with a bit of shopping for Emma and I, golf for the boys, a visit downtown to the St Lawrence Markets.  We had lovely visits with mum, Michelle and Lucas and some very dear friends.  I believe the childrens lives have been enriched by these experiences with family.  I caught up with my buddies, one from 30 years ago, thanks Lorelei and Darren. My dear friend Tanya, from junior high, hosted us for a lovely afternoon and than took Emma for a sleepover. Emma made a new penpal friend, I am not surprised.  My best bud Melissa and I shared a night out at an Inn with Spa, we never did get that pedicure but we had so much fun chatting...nonstop and taking 'selfies', none of which will be posted.  On each of these occasions we seemed to have picked up right where we left off from our last visit.  They really are too far in between visits, so now I ask you to come to our home, we welcome you with our doors wide open!