Days 1 and 2: Montgomery, PA and Niagra Falls, Ontario!

We have been on the road for two days. Currently we are driving toward Niagara Falls where we have a mission to find the Java Hut on the Canadian side in the Bird Aviary. This was our goal given to us by our couch surfing host last night, Rocky. All the leaves are starting to change. Each mile north we go, the colors get brighter and we get colder.

Day One: Montgomery, PA!

We are writing this blog and editing videos in the car and will post as soon as we have a chance.

Day two: Niagara Falls, Ontario!
We arrived in Niagara with cold pouring rain to greet us. First thing was to find parking. Due to our limited budget of $0 allotted for parking – we had a problem. Helen put on her fake southern accent and flirted with the parking guy who proceeded to let us park for free. We were told by several sources that we HAD to do the Maid of the Mist boat tour of Niagara. So we researched online and found out it was $2 cheaper on the American than the Canadian side. We raced around in the pouring rain to find tickets and get on the last boat of the day.

The Maid of the Mist requires everyone to wear farcical blue ponchos and so we got to look ridiculous and stay dry! Immediately on board, we proceeded to the upper level of the boat to enjoy the ride and have the best view.

There were many near death experiences in the choppy waves. Niagara falls are shaped like a horseshoe, and at one point the boat tour takes you into the center. It was pouring AND the mist from the waterfalls were getting us soaked. We could not feel our hands, face, or any other part of our body. Also, the boat would unexpectedly lurch and Maryanne fell on someone. It was embarrassing.

The water was surprisingly green, like a very chlorinated swimming poor and we recommend this tour to everyone.

After we RECYCLED our ponchos, it was time to head to our couch surfing destination for the evening with Paul and Kate in Canada. Although the directions to the house contained over twenty different turns -- we didn't get lost! After a long driveway, we arrived to a glass of wine and homemade salsa.

The house was an old refinished farmhouse that reminded us of our Aunt Bebe. It had fascinating relics from their adventures to 50 counties. After a filling meal of homemade vegetable chili, we watched the US Vice Presidential debate in Canada even though their Prime Minister debate was on. Paul and Kate said they wanted to watch the Vice President debate over their own country’s debate. Joe Biden won! As Sarah Palin would say, "Heck yeah! He gosh darn did!"

The Obama bumper sticker has earned it place on our car for yet another week.

The next morning we intended to go the bird aviary and fulfill Rocky's mission by having a beer at the Java Hut inside of it. IT WAS CLOSED! We would have to wait around for three hours to drink, but we had a long drive ahead, so we had to leave the mission a failure. We were upset, but even moreso when we saw something shocking outside the aviary!

Horrifying!

YES, that is a DEAD bird!!
Sorry Rocky – we will use the money to document other dead brids throughout of trip.