Friday, October 3, 2008

Greetings from the Other Side

Of Niagara Falls, that is...

Yup, to my shock and dismay (OK, not really dismay, but I was definitely startled), the Kite Festival is in Niagara Falls New York. (By the way, it really is true what they say. The Canadian site is totally the better side! :)

We left early this morning after dropping off the cherubs at daycare, where they'll be picked up by my parents this afternoon. Got some great knitting time on the ride down, but I had to put the needles down when for some reason Phil objected to driving the entire 7 hours. Grumble grumble.

As soon as we checked into the hotel, Phil wanted to check out the kite flying area of the day, which was on Goat Island, a short drive from where we're staying. Unfortunately it turned out that most of the flyers were already packing up for the day, but that didn't deter Phil one little bit!

When we arrived in the area, we kept on commenting how strange it was that we couldn't see any kites in the air. We quickly discovered why!

The wind was really erratic, and the mist being thrown into the air by the falls made it really difficult to fly anything. And as for knitting? Fuhget aboud it...

We were a bit bummed, but decided to make the best of it by seeing the sights! On top of the list of attractions is the Cave of the Winds, which takes you right up to the American Falls (as opposed to the Horseshoe Falls, which we Canucks are accustomed to seeing from the Maid of the Mist). Before you embark on the tour, you're given these garbage bags/raincoats and flip-flops, and are warned that your clothes "may get damp". Uh, yeah, UNDERSTATEMENT!

I think there's a perpetual rainbow at the foot of the Falls

Rock on, Phil!

It's called the Hurricane Deck for a reason!

Totally awesome. Now we're back at the hotel, and we're having dinner with a bunch of kite bigwigs tonight. I have no idea who these people are, but Phil tells me that it'd be like meeting up with Stephanie Pearl-McPhee, Cat Bordhi, Anne Hanson and Norah Gaughan at Rhinebeck. He's pretty stoked.

After dinner there will be fireworks at the Falls. Should be a good time.

(I'm wearing your scarf Cynthia! I love it!)

Happy Knitting Everyone! (I'm hard at work on a hat for Emilie, and it's - wait for it! - a crochet pattern! Gasp!!!)

7 comments:

Caroline said...

You look good!

Sereknitty said...

Amazing photos and you look absolutely fabulous!!
I'm back in 'blog world', so stop by when you get an opportunity. Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Alrischa said...

Yeah, you look a little windswept (hehe).

What's with Phil, whinging about driving for 7 hours? Men.

Anonymous said...

1. Canadian or US side...it's still a nice view!

2. Uh...yeah...understatement! "A little damp"? Was there anything dry after those photos were taken??

3. Crochet is good! I loves me some crochet.

Cynthia F said...

looks like a great day!!!
and yay scarf!!

Sinéad said...

wow. fabulous pictures. The place looks awesome, and love the garbage bag look, maybe that's the next big thing for this fall...
I lauged my head off at Phil, it's like meeting all those famous knitters in one go; he must have been really excited! Plus, kudos for him knowing their names!
Hope you had a great time and can't wait to see the crochet pattern!

Montreal Mama said...

Looks like you had a great time. Sucks that you didnt get a full 7 hour drive of knitting and had to share the driving - LOL. I've never been on the US falls side, only the Canadian side. Is it still only 7 hours to the US side?