Western NY camping and Niagara Falls

Whew!  So much to catch up on....

One of our summer camping trips went to the tip of western NY. That's Toronto you see in the distance.  Cool, huh?

We went exploring to Lewiston, a lovely town where we found a couple places that were featured on Man vs. Food, as well as oggled some local real estate for sale.  (Hey, if you're gonna dream, dream big!)

The girls protested us taking their picture so often...

Another day went to Niagara Falls to ride the Maid of the Mist.  But first, Matt found this statue tribute to some guy named Tesla.  (Something about engine generators or something equally fascinating, yada yada...)

"Please, Mom. Not another shot..."

So pretty there, and it was a lovely day.  I love NY!

Jonathan was just begging me to take his picture.  HE wasn't camera shy!

I love this impish girl, too!

Here was a tender sister moment. I was wishing for a kayak!

Everything is better with ice cream.

It was another wonderful camping trip!!

A Camping Anniversary

This year camping won over other anniversary ideas. Yep, we love our camping- especially with our closest camping buddies. Buddies who agreed to watch our three girls (Thanks, Jeff & Chel!!) so Matt & I could go into Lewiston, NY to a nice restaurant and some touristy browsing.

Here's a sculpture I liked tucked behind the Little Yellow Chocolate House in a community sponsored artist's garden.
Yum.

My husband and best friend of 14 years.

The campground was right on Lake Ontario, with a nice view of Toronto when it was clear.

One night the sunset was glorious.

Four of our five camping girls. They had fun collecting LOTS of sea glass and rocks.

Marleah, growing up too fast.

The kids found this ginormous caterpillar. Ironically, we discovered (thanks to google) it's the caterpillar of North America's largest moth seen here.

Yes, yes it is.

A nice little roadside place provided the season's best corn, pretty snapdragons,

and this photo op.

Jillian's love affair with watermelon.

My parents came out to visit (and to scout out our campsite find).

Dad had the girls interested in making a fire from a bow. It's an acquired skill, but it worked!

See?

He's a good teacher. Thanks, Dad!

I'm always impressed with the beauty around me as I venture around New York State.

The tough part is learning to see it around me and then to be grateful.

Truly, we are all so blessed.