Niagara Falls 2016

So after the race and awards, we were on our way to Niagara Falls.  Two days prior to our arrival, our beloved Hampton Inn was taken over by the Ramada.  You might think "No big deal!". Except it was kind of disappointing.  Ramada serves no breakfast and charges you to park your vehicle!! Bah Humbug.  We've been going here for 15 years though and after searching online for far too long for something with a pool, breakfast, for the right price, in the right area, found that it no longer exists.  So in order to not utterly deflate our kids and in order to still have a bit of a weekend away, we booked and we still had a lovely time.  Knowing that there was no breakfast, we just packed a big cooler with lots of options and in the end we only missed it a bit :)

The pool and hot tub were not idle for long and the kids had a wonderful time hopping from one to the next.

It was so beautifully sunny still that it wasn't hard to pretend we were out on the deck by the pool in Florida. The sun was so warm through the windows that I had to open the patio door and sit outside for a bit - and even that was LOVELY!

The kids even sat outside on the lounge chairs for a bit - but being wet, they didn't find it quite as warm and lovely as I did.

THIS IS NOVEMBER!!!

After some time at the pool we headed out for a drive. We ended up going to the Isaac Brock memorial and the park and trails around it.  The colours were still so nice and it was just really wonderful to spend time outside together in God's glorious creation.  We should do it more often . . .but sadly it just doesn't happen.

It's one of the reasons it is so good to go away - even if it is not that far or for not that long!

We got lots of good pictures as we walked along.

On Sunday morning we went to River of Life URC in Niagara Falls. This is a church plant and it is a blessing to be there and worship with these believers - many who come from very different backgrounds and life situations than we are used to. We met and talked to some neat people.
We had lunch with JM and Becky and had a quick visit and some picture taking there too.

Thanks for lunch and having us!

Then we were on our way to Redeeming Grace URC another church we had been wanting to visit. We were also blessed by many familiar faces and quick conversations there as well.  We are often one of the very last to leave at our own church, and apparently that is a hard habit to break - as we stuck with it here too.  That means it was a very warm and welcoming place to be!

It was a good day. It was a good weekend.  I am thankful for the family we could get away with, the fellow believers we could fellowship with and be encouraged by, and the refreshment we received in this mini vacation.