Rocky Mountaineer Journey Through Canada

Vancouver, British Columbia - A cast of colorful characters from around the world, boarded the Rocky Mountaineer luxury train in Vancouver, British Columbia. Together we would ride the rails on the award winning train awarded the title "World's Leading Travel Experience by Train." It's reputation of providing exceptional service, elegant dining and an opportunity to see unspoiled natural areas of the Canadian Rockies and Canadian National Park, was upheld.

What the brochures didn't highlight was the added opportunity to see the backyards and junkyards of the cities and towns we passed through on our way to the incomparable beauty of Western Canada. These views added an interesting contrast to the entire experience, and showed that graffiti artists know no bounds. We traveled at a leisurely pace, most of the time, and were witness to sites that ranged from rusted cars and refrigerators to the majesty of glacier fed lakes and the tallest mountain in the Rockies. As we klickity-klacked along the rails we enjoyed the company of fellow travelers with toasts of champagne and gourmet dishes for breakfast and lunch. The ride in the multi-million dollar, two story glass domed car, was quiet and smooth. Two attendants kept us informed of upcoming areas of interest while delivering drinks, and snacks, until breakfast or lunch was served. On the dining level, located down the spiral staircase from the observation car, were two additional attendants and a chief who prepared meals that would be at home in any five star restaurant.

There are a number of Rocky Mountaineer train routes and daylight tours, ranging from 3 nights and four days to eleven nights. We chose the classic circle tour of 6 nights, seven days that took us full circle from Vancouver, British Columbia, to Kamloops, then on to Jasper, Alberta, Quesnel, Whistler, and back to Vancouver. We learned a little history and enjoyed the varying climates as we made the circle from city to high desert, into the rocky mountains and back down the Frasier Valley.

There is something very relaxing about train travel that must be experienced to understand. This trip was an all daylight tour which meant we stopped at a different city or town each night. The nightly accommodations, which are part of the vacation package, ranged from the best I have ever stayed in to a quaint no frills hotel. The Tower Hotel, located in Quesnel was the most modest of our stays, but had friendly service and clean rooms that rivaled the best places we enjoyed. There were two standouts as far as rooms, the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, in Jasper, Alberta, surrounded by the Rocky Mountains and crystal clear lakes and the Nita Lake Lodge in Whistler, British Columbia. Both had quality restaurants, top service and amenities that included an in room fireplace, heated bathroom floors, and natural views of mountains and lakes with plenty of natural wildlife.

Go for the scenery, if nothing else. The views along the way are breathtaking. Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies at 12,972 feet, loomed above the tracks and surrounding peaks for several miles as we entered Jasper. Most of the year the peak is obscured by the weather, but we were fortunate to have a clear day to see the entire mountain. The following day, as we left Jasper we saw the mountain from the rear of the train and were treated to a very different view as the top of the snow covered mountain was covered in clouds.

Along the journey we spent a lot of time on the observation deck, where we could feel the wind and hear the sounds of the train as we passed a variety of wildlife that included black bears, moose, mountain goats and eagles. As far as scenery goes there are some areas that, to me, where the most beautiful places I have seen on my travels. The looming Mount Baker in Washington State was visible in the distance as we traveled out of Vancouver and was quite a majestic sight. However the most enchanting location was Seton Lake, a crystal clear, green lake, surrounded by sheer cliffs and large mountains. As we entered this valley I felt we were entering one of the enchanted lands from the Lord of the Rings.

I couldn't help but compare the trip to the many songs, sayings and quotes about life being a journey and not a destination. A train vacation really is about the journey, who you meet and what you see as life passes by at 25 to 35 miles an hour. As in life, you can't see everything and the trip is much better with friends.

Port Call - Cayman Islands, Day 4

GRAND CAYMAN, British West Indies - After an all night journey we arrive at our destination just offshore of George Town, Grand Cayman. Grand Cayman is the largest, and most populous, of the three island country that make up the Cayman Islands. The other two, smaller islands, are Cayman Brac and Little Cayman. Surrounding all three islands are healthy coral reefs and underwater walls that drop off hundreds of feet deep. The clear water makes this one of the best diving and sport fishing locations in the Caribbean.

Along with hundreds of other passengers we were anticipating taking part in some of the many shore excursions offered. The previous evening at dinner many people were overheard discussing going golfing, scuba diving, swimming with stingrays, spending the day at 7 mile beach, or like us, planning on a submarine tour and snorkeling. These hopes were soon dashed for many.

As we were getting ready for our 7:30 am departure, for the Nautilus Undersea adventure, our cabin was invaded by the booming voice of Christian, our cruise director. He apologized for making an early, and intrusive announcement ,in the stateroom. Normally all announcements are in the hall and other public areas of the ship. He informed us that due to high Westerly winds we would be departing two hours earlier than planned and that all afternoon and late morning excursions were canceled. We needed to be back on board by 2 pm. Later one of the crew told our group that if we were late making it back to the ship by two it would be a good idea to have a camera with us. He paused and then said "the Disney ship looks great sailing into the sunset." We got the point to be back on time.

Even though it looked very calm outside the prediction was for rougher seas later in the day, not necessarily a storm. At Grand Cayman there are no docks and not a defined harbor for the visiting cruise ships. Here we needed to use a tender, a smaller boat, to offload from the ship to shore. Any increase in wind and waves would make the transfer of passengers to and from the 964-foot (294 meter) long cruise liner hazardous. In the past, when the waves became rough, hundreds of passengers were stranded on the island and had to wait hours for conditions to improve before making a safe return.

Fortunately we had an early excursion. We offloaded on one of the first tenders and headed to shore. Our tour guide met us at the dock and we followed him to the waiting bus where we did just that, wait. After about twenty minutes we left for the Nautilus, a semi-submersible boat that has a lower deck that is under the water about five feet, but because of the design has plenty of head room. The top side of the ship stays on the surface and is used for steering and as a platform for snorkeling or diving. The lower level of the Nautilus is air conditioned with slanted windows on all sides, giving passengers an unobstructed view of the sea bottom, with coral, colorful fish and even shipwrecks.

Once underway the captain on the Nautilus provided interesting footnotes on the two sunken ships we passed over, the Callie and the Balboa. Now not more than a debris field on the bottom of the harbor we could still see the engine and some of the key components, like the ships' mast.

The Balboa was a freighter carrying a large load of lumber and oil when she sailed into George Town harbor during a 1932 hurricane. After being beaten by high waves the ship sank. Reportedly the lumber floated all the way to the shore in such volume a person could walk to shore without getting their feet wet. The wood was eventually used to build a church on the island. Over the years more ships came to the island and the wreck was becoming a hazard to shipping. In 1957 the British Army Corps of Engineers blew up the ship which accounts for the debris field. The propeller and stern sections could be seen clearly despite the lack of visibility due to the high waves

Passing over the nearby wreck of the Callie, the captain told us about the four masted schooner that ran aground in 1944 with a cargo load of rice. Once grounded the rice became wet and expanded to the point that the seams burst and the ship went down. This ship was also blown up to keep the harbor clear.

We continued over several areas of coral and watched out the windows while a diver from the ship fed and attracted large numbers of fish to the windows. After seeing a number of stingray, barracudas and other tropical fish we went topside for some snorkeling. The water was perfect, around 82 degrees, and extremely clear with 60 to 70 feet visibility.

After the ride back over the shipwrecks we opted to walk back through town instead of waiting for the bus. The shops were typical of a tourist town and reminded me of Bermuda. Prices were a bit higher here than Key West. As we headed back to the tender boats we could see the water was more choppy than when we left a few hours before. When the smaller boat pulled alongside the Magic there was quite a lot of up and down motion of the gangplank.

Back on ship we enjoyed another theatrical performance in the Walt Disney theater. Twice Charmed is an original twist on the Cinderella story and was very well down, once again.
After dinner in Lumiere's dining room we tried another movie in the Buena Vista theater, Bedtime Stories. Then it was off to get a good night sleep before our next shore excursion in Cozumel, Mexico.

Magic at Sea - Day 3

Gulf of Mexico - This is day three of a seven day cruise on the Disney Magic.

As the sun comes up we skirt the coast of Northwest Cuba on the Disney Magic. The ship glides through the still deep blue water on the way to the Cayman Islands at 21.5 knots, or roughly 25 miles per hour. We have all day for shipboard activities since we won't reach the island, on the Southern side of Cuba, until morning.

After enjoying the ocean view we checked the informative Personal Navigator to make our plans for the day. I started with a workout in the Vista Spa Fitness Center located just above the ship's bridge. There were a number of people on treadmills and elliptical trainers with an excellent view over the bow of the ship at the Gulf of Mexico. After about an hour workout I joined the family for a late breakfast topside.

This was a good day to explore the ship and learn some interesting facts. One unique feature of the Disney Cruise Line is that there is no gambling on board, except for the jackpot bingo games. This frees up a lot of space for family activities and kid areas. Most ships the size of the Magic, 964 feet in length, have only one funnel on deck, while the Magic has two. The twin stacks give the Magic an elegant look reminiscent of the 1920's and 30's cruise ships. Only one of the stacks is functional for the emissions. The forward stack is designed for the teen area and is their hangout, no parents. It is called the Stack or deck eleven.

There are four pools, one for children that includes a slide, a family pool, an adult pool and a crew pool on the fore deck. Activities for the day included a number of seminar type demonstrations for making "dazzling desserts", volleyball, scrapbook making, plenty of photo opportunities with the Captain and crew, and of course the Disney characters that made appearances at various times throughout the ship.

In the afternoon I enjoyed an Art at Sea auction with Art historian and auctioneer Gordon Wilson of West End Gallery Inc. He was extremely knowledgeable of artists and their work. The artwork on display ranged from early Disney animation cels, Miro and Dali prints and an original Duaiv valued at $40,000. The auction lasted about an hour and covered a number of artists. I was surprised at the number of pieces sold. Gordon has a seminar on Thursday entitled "Cave Art to Pop Art" which sounds very interesting.

My wife tried the Vista Spa for a facial and gave the experience a 4 star rating (out of 4). In the early evening we ventured back to the Walt Disney Theater for the red carpet "Golden Mickey's". This stage performance celebrates the music of Disney and had incredible special effects, as good as most Broadway plays. The songs were from Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella, Pocahontas, Lion King and other classics. The only downside was the volume of the sound was excruciatingly high. My daughter put rolled up napkins in here ears. With the quality of everything else in the theater they must have had someone new running the audio. Even with the loudness the performances were very good.

We had the second seating for an excellent dinner with a number of choices for the appetizer, soup, salad, main course and a desserts. Following dinner we tried the Buena Vista Theater, located mid ship to watch Bolt in 3D. The showing of Bolt was the first ever 3D movie on a cruise ship. Seeing the movie in the 270-seat Buena Vista Cinema was a great way to end the evening and get ready for a big day at Grand Cayman, British West Indies. Until tomorrow...

Fountains, Flowers and Flights of Fancy at Longwood Gardens

Outside the trees are dropping their vibrant fall colors while inside exotic flowers and plants burst with more colors than a springtime rainbow. The place is Longwood Gardens, just west of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where exotic plants from throughout the world are on display year round.

If you like flowers and fountains this is the place to see over eleven thousand different plant species and more fountains than any other garden in the United States. Throughout the year, there are different themes to highlight the spectacular plants and special attractions. Going on now through November 23 is "Autumn's Colors".

Also through November is the Chrysanthemum Festival with more than 20,000 Chrysanthemums in bloom. The indoor and outdoor gardens are bursting with color and extraordinary shapes. The entire 1,050 acre estate has areas of interest for visitors of all ages. Take a walk in the topiary gardens and imagine the whimsical creatures and shapes that made gardens like these a staple for the rich and famous around the world. There are areas of discovery for children and adults in the Indoor Children's Garden, or at the Idea Garden where you can watch the trains as they travel through miniature Longwood landmarks made from natural elements.

In addition to the changing flower displays, there are special entertainment and cultural events. "Fall Fantasy of Glass" is running simultaneously with the current theme and highlights the artwork of glass artists Michael Cohn and Molly Stone, of Cohn-Stone Studios in Richmond, California. Their colorful and whimsical pumpkin and gourd creations are a visual treat. These are excellent artists who have exhibited throughout the world and are featured in a number of museums, corporate and private collections.

We made the day trip in early November with some out of town visitors. I wasn't sure how impressed I would be of a glass squash but I have to admit the colorful blown glass are truly a work of art and enjoyable to see. The artistry of the glass pumpkins fit perfectly with the natural beauty of the flowering plants surrounding the exhibit area. I was impressed with the hospitality and friendliness of all the staff and employees that we encountered. We were approached by one staff member, who upon seeing my 83 year old mother in law, let us know where we could get a wheel chair at different locations throughout the park if we needed one.

The architecture of the conservatory, ballroom and mansions on the grounds are also worth the time to visit. The entire property has a wonderful history, dating back to 1700 when William Penn issued a grant of land to the Peirce family. It wasn't until the early 1900's, when Pierre S. DuPont, of the Delaware DuPont family, purchased the estate that the gardens began to take shape.

While we were there, we noticed a number of workers busy getting ready for the annual Christmas spectacular with over 500,000 outdoor lights that will be burning throughout the gardens. During December, the floral displays, decorated trees, ice skating under the trees and the dancing fountains make Longwood gardens a wonderful outing. There are two dining areas open for a snack, meal or hot drink. Christmas at Longwood runs from November 27 through January 11, 2009. If you can't make it before Christmas it is still a great place to take family, and visitors, after the holidays.

Keep in mind there is a new ticketing process for Christmas admissions. When we visited during Christmas last year it was crowded to the point that once in line you were propelled through the gardens. This year Longwood is going to a timed ticket entrance policy that will reduce the crowds and wait time as the more popular exhibits. To reserve a place go online to their ticket page at https://tickets.longwoodgardens.org/

For the serious artist and photographer you can take your easel or tripod but only before noon and you have to stop by the main desk to get a registration tag.

Getting There. Located in southeastern Pennsylvania, Longwood Gardens is a great day trip from places in New York, Eastern Pennsylvania, Northern Delaware, Maryland and Washington DC. Approximate distances from these areas:

Philadelphia, PA - 30
Wilmington, DE - 12
Valley Forge, PA - 28
Lancaster, PA - 43
Baltimore, MD - 75
Washington, DC - 110
New York, NY - 130

Individual Ticket Costs
Adults: $16
Seniors (ages 62+): $14
Students (ages 5-22): $6
Children ages 4 and under: Free

Wallowa Lake and the City of Joseph

A trip to Northeast Oregon is an opportunity to witness where one of history's tragic stories begins. This is where the Nez Perce Indians spent their last free days, before going to a reservation. Today, among the mountains, streams and valleys of Wallowa County, residents and visitors alike enjoy the natural beauty of the lake and the area where the Nez Perce Indians spent their summers hunting and fishing.

One hundred and thirty one years ago, Chief Joseph the Younger and his followers were forced out of the valley by the U.S. government for not honoring a treaty imposed upon them. Today, the mountains and area around Wallowa Lake is often referred to as the "Little Switzerland of America." The nickname comes from the tall, snow-capped mountains that surround Wallowa Lake on three sides. The picturesque vistas are reminiscent of the larger pristine mountains in Europe. This land is as wild and beautiful as it once was, with miles of forests, fresh mountain streams, lakes and abundant wildlife. As "civilization" moved into the area over the last century there have been several homes, businesses and attractions built near the lake. My journey through this land begins in the small artistic town of Joseph located a couple of miles from the lake.

Originally named Lake City in the 1800's the town changed its name to Joseph in honor of Chief Joseph, father of Young Joseph, of the Nez Perce Indians. The French called the Shahaptian Indians of the Pacific Northwest Nez Perce, meaning "pierced nose", after they saw a few Indians with nose medallions. Such piercing was uncommon with the Shahaptian and was more applicable to tribes further south. A misnomer that has remained. The Nez Perce still call themselves by that name today. The Nez Perce lived around what is now Northeast Oregon, Idaho and Washington.

Today Joseph is still a small town with just over one thousand residents. This small town however, is big on art and reminded me of the art centers of Santa Fe, New Mexico and Park City, Utah. Joseph is primarily one main street lined with galleries, studios and bronze foundries separated by real estate offices and gift shops. Throughout the town are excellent bronze sculptures from some of the top artists in the country. Valley Bronze was the first foundry in town and was instrumental in leading the town to financial success after the collapse of the timber industry in the 1980's. Since then more foundries have opened in the town and more artists call this home. The success of the bronze foundries is evident in the $2.4 million dollar order, a few years ago, from the U.S. Government for the National World War II Memorial in Washington D.C.

On almost every street corner is a life size or larger bronze sculpture. One of my favorite sculptures, "Attitude Adjustment", by Austin Barton depicts a cowboy and bucking bronco. The ten-foot high statue captures the cowboy and horse at the peak of movement. The balancing of the sculpture adds to this work of art as it appears to be top heavy and may topple at any moment. There are reportedly twelve of these magnificent bronzes, of this size, but I have only located three. One in Pendleton, Oregon at Hamley & Co., one in Joseph, Oregon and one at the Booth Western Art Museum in Georgia.

Other interesting sculptures include the huge soaring eagle entitled "Spirit of Joseph" by Steve Parks, "Tracking the Intruders" by J. Shirly Bothum and a very refreshing sculpture of a woman holding her hat as if in a strong breeze entitled "Garden Walk" by Ramon Parmenter. Not to be overshadowed by the statuary there are several galleries that specialize in art and jewelry. One artist that impressed me with his original wildlife paintings was Mark Kortnik, of Aspen Grove Gallery.

On my visit, I found the area to be a great getaway from the stresses of daily life in the 21st century. With the exception of the buildings the area is much as it would have been when the Indians roamed the forests and mountains. Today these same forests and mountains offer abundant hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding opportunities. At the lake there is boating, canoeing, fishing and, for the stout of heart, swimming. My daughters coaxed me into the clear cold lake, which was very refreshing, after I inched my way in. The lake is at the end of the road, literally. Once you travel in you have to turn around and go out the same way.
Isolated with cabins and campgrounds the area has the feel of a summer camp. Wildlife is abundant with mule deer seen throughout the early mornings and evenings, eagles, turkeys, and buffalo. There are a few gift shops, a lodge and a couple of places to eat during the spring and summer months. There are a number of places to sign up for trail riding, mountain biking and even hang gliding from Mt. Howard.

A local tramway takes passengers, four at a time, from the base terminal, located near the lake, to the 8,150 foot summit of Mt. Howard. From there you can take one of the well groomed trails to several scenic overlooks. The tramway is open from May through September, depending on the weather. Be sure to work up an appetite on the 2 miles of trails, so you can enjoy the Summit Grill and Alpine Patio for lunch.

For the kids the area boasts quite a population of friendly black tailed prairie dogs that will climb on your lap looking for trail mix. We took advantage of the wonderful trails and hiked a few miles into the wilderness over streams and up the side of a mountain to an overlook of Wallowa Lake. There was also a waterfall on the Lostine River that was ice cold and a real treat after the moderate hike. On another day we joined the trail ride and wound our way through several trails and along streams. The horses were used to novice riders and made their way expertly on narrow trails.

When you enter or leave the Wallowa Lake area, you pass by the Indian cemetery where Old Chief Joseph is buried. Be sure to stop and take the time to visit his gravesite to pay tribute to the man who trusted the government to take care of him and his tribe. His son, Chief Joseph the Younger, became famous for his principled resistance to the removal of his people from this land. He is renowned as a humanitarian and peacemaker. His story, and that of his people, is detailed in Dee Brown's "Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee", and "I Will Fight No More Forever - Chief Joseph And The Nez Perce War" by Merrill D. Beal.

Getting there - If you are flying, you can land in Boise, Idaho, about 4 hours by car on the interstate and OR Hwy 82. Other airport options include Pasco, WA, Spokane, WA, and Lewiston, ID. From Portland, Oregon it is about a six-hour drive through the Columbia River Gorge, high desert and plains. We took the longer route, through Portland, and saw a number of wonderful sites along the Oregon Trail.

Cruising with Pirates

Ever take a cruise on the high seas with a boatload of pirates? If not, then Disney Cruise Line has the adventure for you. From the moment we boarded the stylish red bus, at the Orlando International airport, our vacation was everything that was promised in the brochure, and more. Not to sound like a Disney employee or pirate groupie, but we found this cruise to be the overall best for a family vacation.
Disney's customer service, cleanliness and attention to detail are first class. The only problem, which I'm still reminded of, is trying to select which activity to participate in at any given time. Entertainment, sports, games, crafts, movies, pools, the list of choices goes on and on, and that's just the choice onboard. Shore excursions and activities when docked are many. On our four day, three night, cruise there were no hold ups, no disappointments, and the crew was always professional and friendly.

The Ship

Elegance from a bygone age is how I would describe the Disney Wonder, one of two "twin" cruise liners by Disney. From the Beeline Expressway, as we approach the terminal, the black bottomed ship looms large on the horizon. Entering the Pier area of Port Canaveral we are greeted by the impressive $27 million dollar art deco style terminal where we breeze through the check in process. Once through the terminal we walk the gangplank and enter another world. The Atrium opens before us, with a three-story lobby covered with marble, wood, and bronze. There are four glass elevators and a grand staircase sweeping down to a bronze statue of Ariel, the mermaid. Intermingled among the guests are elaborately dressed Disney characters, come to life, to greet the passengers. Children line up with there eyes sparkling and their voices filling the air with excitment and awe. Even the traditional deep sound of the foghorn that signals our departure is replaced with the magical horn sounds playing "When you Wish Upon a Star."

The Food

A different dining experience each night is a refreshing change from the traditional formal seating for diner that is on most cruises. Disney has provided a rotating dining schedule among its three main resturants, Animator's Palette, Triton's, and the colorful Parrot Cay. Each themed restaurant provides a unique dining experience with the same table mates and wait staff each night. In the Animator's Palette, my favorite, the restaurant is decorated in black and white. Black and white pictures, black and white patterns on the walls, black and white flowered columns, you get the picture - black and white. Even the the wait staff is wearing, you guessed it, black and white. As dinner progresses everything in the room that was black and white begins to change very slowly to color. The transition is almost impreceptible and then, before I realized it, the pictures, walls and columns were all in full color. By the end of the meal, even the wait staff's vests changed to color. Triton's is the second of the themed restaurants. It is casually elegant with an under-the-sea, little mermaid decor, with an entire wall made up of thousands of tile pieces depicting King Triton himself. The third dining experience is Parrot Cay, a fun Caribbean style restaurant with brightly colored parrots and fruit baskets everywhere. During our evening we at Parrot Cay we dressed as pirates, along with everyone else, and followed the meal with a giant conga line snaking around the tables.
Naturally, there are plenty of other eating areas throughout the ship, from snack bars to full buffets. There is even an elegant restaurant for a romantic dinner with your partner at Palo's. The meal is served on the highest deck by reservation and while the adults eat the little pirates can take over the clubhouse. If for some reason you would rather dine in your spacious cabin the ship has 24-hour room service.

The Fun

I would start each morning in the Vista Spa, running on a treadmill, looking out over the bow of the ship as it plowed through the open sea. One of the highlights of the spa is its rain forest steam room. Back in the cabin, we would look over the personal navigator, a newsletter left in your cabin each day, listing all the events and opportunities available for that day. This was our planning guide and where I got into trouble. There are so many choices, I would schedule us for a tour of the bridge and then try to catch the kitchen tour, four decks below. Then back up to deck 5 and the Buena Vista Theater for a first run Disney movie. The kids have plenty of their own options to keep them busy having fun all day. They can join the fun at Flounder's Reef nursery, the Oceaneer Club, or for the teen in your family, they can hang out in Aloft. All areas are well controlled and supervised.
Just looking over the rail at the ocean is a wonderful treat, or try a little shuffleboard. In the evening, we entered the large, well appointed, 975-seat Walt Disney Theater, which features Disney on Broadway-style productions. The sets are creative, the actors fantastic, and the music excellent. Below deck there is a piano bar, comedy clubs and even jackpot bingo. I enjoyed the art auction and casual discussions, with very well informed art dealers, during one of the evening activities. The last evening, after dark, deck 9 is overtaken by pirates, with music, a dramatic rescue and finished with spectacular fireworks bursting against a pitch black sky.

The Excursions

Not all the fun is onboard ship. Our first stop was Nassau, Bahamas for a day of touring and shopping. Be sure to sign up for the excrusions to make the most of your visit. We signed up for the snorkel trip and traveled by catamaran to a relatively calm cove. Masks, snorkels and fins were handed out along with a brief demonstration on how to use them. The water was deep, clear, and full of beautiful tropical fish in a variety of colors. At Nassau there is plenty to choose from including regatta racing, dolphin encounters, scuba diving, tours and of course shopping, jewelry is very popular. If you didn't get enough to eat on the ship there are plenty of places to eat, even a Hard Rock Cafe.
One day is reserved for Disney's private island, Castaway Cay. Moored near the dock on the island is the ghots ship, the Flying Dutchman, straight from Hollywood and Pirates of the Caribbean, Dead Man's Chest movie. Early in the morning the crew of Wonder moves their dining rooms onto the island for all you can eat buffets throughout the day. The beach is laid out with lounge chairs, umbrellas and a place to pick up fins, snorkels and other water accessories. We started the day with a bike ride around the island. We traveled down an abandoned runway, past the "adults only" beach and back. And for fairness Disney even has a beach for kids only, no parents. There are jet skis for rent, banana boat rides, and even para-sailing high over the crystal blue waters.
There is only one negative to this cruise and you can probably guess what it is....leaving. They didn't make us "walk the plank" but as we left we felt just as abandoned. Next time we'l have to go for the seven day cruise.

Not Your Grandparents Vacation - Niagara Falls

My family and I must be some of the last people to see Niagara Falls. Whenever I mentioned we were headed to Niagara I would inevitably hear "oh I remember going there when I was ten" or "I went there forty years ago and it was great." Well I have to say I haven't heard one person say they were disappointed, and neither was our family. Niagara Falls is a wonderful getaway vacation for the family or couple. Niagara is home of America's oldest tourist attraction, the Maid of the Mist, 1846, so the park has had time to get everything perfect. The beauty of the falls is indescribable. The roar of 6 million cubic feet of water pouring over the crest every second is quite a rush.

Taking in all the tourist offerings on both sides of the border is part of the fun. Start with buying the Passport to the Falls ticket package on the American side at the state park entrance. This passport is only $28 (a savings of more than 35% over individual tickets) to the following attractions: The Maid of the Mist®, Cave of the Winds, Discovery Center, Observation Tower, Niagara Adventure Theater, Aquarium of Niagara - and you'll find this a pleasure after walking all day - unlimited rides on the Niagara Scenic Trolley.

In the visitor center, where the passports are sold, is an IMAX movie that traces the history and myth behind the falls. You can watch the movie first to get a sense of the history or wait, as we did, to enjoy the cool theater and comfy seats after a long day of walking. Beyond the visitor entrance stroll down to the waters edge and see the rainbows, hear the roar of the falls and watch the never ending flow of water cascading over the edge. The Maid of the Mist boat ride has carried the rich and famous for over 150 years and is the most popular attraction. The boat can be taken from either the Canadian or American side. Once you don your complimentary yellow raincoat and board the boat you will travel past the American Falls, the Bridal Veil Falls and over to the Canadian Falls, also know as the Horseshoe Falls.

The most amazing site for me was the Cave of the Winds tour and the Hurricane deck. Traveling 175 feet through the rock we emerged at the bottom of the gorge and walked over an intricate set of stairs and decking that is removed every November and rebuilt in the Spring. We were as close as 20 feet from the Bridal Veil Falls and felt the tropical storm-like winds buffeting us around. The more adventurous in our party, not me, you get get soaked from the falling water that hit a rock first and then doused the brave. On the Canadian side there is the Journey Behind the Falls that is awe inspiring. As part of the Passport to the Falls there tickets for the Aquarium of Niagara and Discovery Centers located close to the park. The aquarium has a hometown feel with a friendly and informative staff. The seals have been with the aquarium for decades and thanks to the care of the staff have lived longer than their normal life expectancy in the wild.

After hours there is plenty to see and do in the area. We stayed at the Hilton, on the Canadian side, with an amazing view of the falls and of the evening fireworks scheduled regularly throughout the year. One note on the hotel that kept our girls entertained when it was raining outside, was the three story spiral water slide. I even took a few turns and went back for more.

Within walking distance, for the younger healthier set, is Clifton Hill. The area reminded me of a boardwalk, carnival type of atmosphere (without the beach and boardwalk). We visited a haunted house (scary), video arcades, the Sky Wheel, a giant enclosed Ferris wheel, and many souvenir shops. The area is packed with people, the smell of pretzels, cotton candy and fried food. We did stop at the Hard Rock Cafe, one on each side of the river, and had a giant Sundae and appetizers. One of the more interesting places to visit for an evening or rainy day is Ripley's Believe It or Not. It is like other Ripley's in various vacation sposts around the country and is always educational and fun for everyone. For the gambler the Canadian side has a giant casino with rooms overlooking the falls.

We only touched on a few of the many wonderful attractions in the area but hope to return and enjoy more of this historic area loaded with friendly people.

"Although it was wonderful to see all that water tumbling down, it would be even more wonderful to see all that water tumbling up."
-- Mark Twain

More Niagara Falls Pictures

All Photos copyright David L. Jennings