Summer Vacation: Part One

After 1700 miles and six states in six days, we are finally home and ready to post some pictures from our family vacation.  The main goal of the trip was to visit Amy's grandparents in upstate New York - a 13-hour drive from our home in Kentucky.  So, to break the trip up, we went to Niagara Falls on the way north and Washington, DC, on the way back.  We ordered passport cards for the kids so we could go into Canada, but the State Department demanded additional documentation to prove that our kids were US citizens, so the cards did not come in time.  (Discrimination!)  Anyway, here is part one of our vacation, Niagara Falls:

The kids thought it was pretty cool that you had to cross a skywalk across the interstate at this New York rest area.

Approaching our first destination - Niagara Falls, NY

The kids wanted to pose with Lady Liberty.

An up-close view of the American Falls

The American Falls in the foreground, and the Canadian side of the Horseshoe Falls in the background

River flowing to the Bridal Veil Falls

The Bridal Veil Falls from above

Walking down to the Horseshoe Falls

Standing near the edge of the Horseshoe Falls

The river rolling over the Horseshoe Falls

Looking back over at Canada

The moon rising over the Niagara River - time for a tired family that drove 10 hours to get some sleep

Greeted by a rainbow in the mist on a beautiful, but warm morning

You are gonna see a lot of pictures of our kids squinting in these posts - the sun really gets to their eyes.

We rode the elevator 200 feet down from the Observation Deck for a ride on the Maid of the Mist.

Poncho'd up and ready to sail

Ready to board

The Rainbow Bridge into Canada

The girls were excited to feel the mist from the falls.

Sailing past the American Falls

Bridal Veil Falls is on the right.

Wet but happy

The Canadian side of the Horseshoe Falls

Horseshoe Falls

Even wetter, but still happy

Dad and Mom

Passing back by the American Falls

Essie said, "I really liked that."

Dad and kids on the Observation Deck

Portrait of Mom & Dad, courtesy of Chloe

One last look at the falls before heading on

Ready to climb back in the van for more vacation fun