And
on to the Canadian Border and Niaga
I
really did appreciate that. That night they had a big band playing and
lights of different colors high-lighting the Falls. GREAT!!1 Children
danced (crazily) in the park and mist blew off the falls, ruining our hair.
What a night.
Our "leader" showed us things that were on the path and took us off to see
more.
Hotel exterior
"you hold an event and we turn up"
THE BAD PENNIES
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THE BAD PENNIES
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Back to the Falls Memorial Day Weekend May 29 - 31, 2010 Adventure 45 – Back to the Falls 2010 by Linda Thompson Seven Bad Pennies all met at the Buffalo Airport for a fun packed Memorial Weekend walking in and around Niagara Falls. Our first walk was Youngstown, NY where we were met representatives of the two local clubs. The walk was mostly around the Old Fort Niagara State Park providing fabulous view of both Fort George and Fort Niagara. In July, 1759 2,300 British and New York troops, along with 900 Iroquois allies, defeated the French at Fort Niagara. Our hotel, the Comfort Inn on Clifton Hill, was the start point for our 15K walk in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada. Meandering alongside the Falls, we could see tourist standing in line for the Maid of the Mist, or Cave of the Winds – a series of boardwalks and stairways at the base of Bridal Veil falls on the American side. As we reached Dufferin Island Park, most of us never found the where we were supposed to go. However, we did have great views of the Niagara River and enjoyed the hydrangea displays in the greenhouse.
 Retracing our step to Rainbow Bridge, we paid the pedestrian toll of 50 cents to walk to the U.S. side of Niagara Falls. After going through customs and crossing the Pedestrian Bridge to Goat Island, we encountered fabulous view of Horseshoe Falls from Terrapin Point. At this point, the Bad Pennies were pretty much scattered about enjoying every aspect of the walk and falls. On Saturday evening, the Bad Pennies regrouped for a Las Vegas Style Magical Review dinner show with majestic tigers and professional dancers. We all enjoyed the dinner buffet consisting of several main courses and salads with dessert. The magician, Greg Frewin mystified us with the art of illusion performing numerous magic tricks with live a live tiger and lion. Ever wonder how the New York and Canadian sides of the Niagara Falls differ? Both Canada’s Horseshoe Falls and the smaller American Falls including Bridal Veil Falls create mist. Both falls drop the Niagara River approximately 170 feet tumbling over boulders and rocks to a peaceful calm below. There is a saying on the Canadian side you see the falls, on the U.S. side, you can feel them. Unless of course, you were adventurous like myself and rode the Maid of the Mist to the foot of the Horseshoe Falls. Donned with a blue poncho and camera in hand, I relived the same thrill of the Falls that I remembered 40 years earlier. Feeling like a wet duck, I saw spectacular rainbows and felt the power behind the rush of water riding into a blinding mist.  
Usually, people come to Niagara Falls to get married, honeymoon, or celebrate an anniversary. The Bad Pennies celebrated Matt’s 65th Birthday with song and cake. We also discussed future Adventures and drew a name for the "Badest Penny" -- Betty Canoles from Chester, Virginia. Congratulations, Matt and Betty!
  Later in the evening, all the Bad Pennies walked down to the Falls to hear an awesome rock band, watch colorful lights flickering on the falling water, and wait for the fireworks to begin. Tourist meandered up and down the sidewalks searching for the perfect advantage point to watch the lights and fireworks.
Later in the evening, all the Bad Pennies walked down to the Falls to hear an awesome rock band, watch colorful lights flickering on the falling water, and wait for the fireworks to begin. Tourist meandered up and down the sidewalks searching for the perfect advantage point to watch the lights and fireworks.
After the fireworks display, the pennies scattered to Casinos, the Sky Wheel, and back to the hotel. Dianne and myself decided to ride the 175ft high Sky Wheel to see the town and falls from heaven. Needless to say, we were scared to death. After about the third revolution of the sky wheel, Dianne wanted to go again. I wanted OFF!
As we bid auvoir to Niagara Falls, the Bad Pennies headed for Buffalo for our next walk. Buffalo is a city of numerous old Churches, architecture with buffalo heads, light rail, and a great view of Lake Erie. Since it was Memorial Day, soldiers were honoring their fallen comrades and friends at the War Memorial. The Naval Park included a submarine, the U.S.S. Little Rock, and various memorial s to those who served in the Armed Forces. Monday afternoon found us at the DiCamillo’s Bakery with members of the host club, Niagara Frontier Volkssport Club. Leading us out on the LeHIgh Memory Trail, we passed the restored Williamsville Railroad Station.
 We were fortunate enough to see a glimpse of the local Memorial Day parade with bagpipes and bands. In addition, we walked by the Cambria Castle on Dream Island. Ignatz Oechsner was a mason who once lived in (Ochenfurt?) Germany. When he came here, he decided to build a castle which he started in 1917. The castle was built on a one acre island in Ellicott Creek called Dream Island. The castle was built of fossil rock brought in from Holland, New York. Mr. Oechsner worked on the castle for 25 years, but did not have it finished by the time he died in 1942 (1943?). Included in the project were a main building, gatehouse, tower, dungeon, and a coach house. .
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matt@thebadpennies.org with questions or comments about this web
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About
Greg Frewin