Eastern Trip

We arrived home from a marathon 10 day east from Nebraska.  We went first to Kentucky.  Of course, whenever we go through Paducah I have to stop at the quilt museum.  Some of my favorites were again hung and lots of new ones, too.  Always an inspiration.  Next stop was Mammoth Cave where we went on a strenuous 4 1/2 mile walk in 4 hrs. through the cave with a very knowledgeable guide.  Last stop in Kentucky was Louisville where we toured the Louisville Slugger bat factory and Churchill Downs.  The latter was our favorite stop the entire trip.  What a great museum they have and informative tours.


Next stop was Cuyahoga National Park in Ohio.  It's quite different from the national parks one is used to seeing in the western half of the U.S.  This one is for people use and use it they do!  Bicyclists and walkers/joggers all over the old towpath.  We took the train ride from the north end to the south end and back.  Great way to be introduced to the park.  Then we visited a couple of spots after that.

Onward northeast.  We stopped overnight in New York state.  I'd hoped to visit the Roger Tory Peterson museum but it was closed Mondays and Richard didn't want to wait around another day.  So we headed on to Niagara Falls.  Previously I'd seen them half frozen in November 14 yrs. ago.  They're much lovelier with sunshine and green surroundings.  They've changed the area lots since I was there before, too.  We chose to pay big $$ to go up into the tower on the hill above the falls to eat and view the area from up high.  Glad we did.  It was awesome to see the falls this way.


After walking around the area for a bit we headed out again and stopped at Niagara on the Lake.  They have a lovely old town with a neat shopping area which we spent time walking around.   I also managed to make it to two of their wineries.

We then drove to the Jordan, Ontario area and spent the night in a hotel along Lake Ontario.  The water was calm and one could see Toronto in the distance across the lake.  There was even an old wrecked ship not far from the hotel.  The next a.m. we drove into Jordan and westward stopping at a few more wineries, tasting and buying.  At one we were introduced to the ultimate chocolate to be eaten with wine, Brix.  Try some.  You'll definitely like it if you like chocolate.

In one parish we found a  small bakery which I convinced Richard to stop at.  We walked in and I was amazed!  I haven't seen that assortment of pastries since a child.  So many cookies, tarts, turnovers, etc. that you can't imagine.  We bought a few things for samples and later when we ate them the delicious taste lingered in our mouths for quite some time.  Good thing I don't live closer or I'd be the size of a hot air balloon!


On to Michigan City, Indiana to visit some friends there.  We met their adorable new Golden Retriever puppy, Moose (aptly named for those big feet), had supper together and a nice visit.  We left later in the a.m. and managed to avoid the Chicago rush hour traffic.  We were able to drive all the way home that day even stopping Madison County Iowa to see the old covered bridges there and which, especially the 'Roseman Bridge', were brought to national fame by the book and later film, "The Bridges of Madison County".