Niagara-on-the-Lake

      After leaving the Emmett campground, we had a fairly short drive over to Niagara-on-the-Lake.  We drove to Port Huron for the crossing, and it was speedy and efficient getting through Canadian customs.  Our route across Canada was on the main highways, the 401, 402, and onto the QEW into Niagara-on-the-Lake.  We went over the Welland Canal on the St. Catherine's Bridge, and to Jane and John Chappell's new townhouse home for a 2-night visit.  Jane and John are good friends from when we lived in Hudson, and we had actually visited Niagara-on-the-Lakes with them in 2004 when we took a trip for Becky's birthday--they wanted to show us where they were thinking about retiring to, and they actually did it!

          This is a gorgeous city, and we had great weather for walking around.  Wednesday afternoon, after taking care of the dogs, we walked around the downtown area and got reacquainted with this beautiful city.  The Clock Tower is in the center of town on the main steet, and it and the several blocks are decorated with hundreds of tulips in beds.

     We ate back at their house, and spent a delightful evening talking.  We slept in the RV with the dogs, but had all the luxuries of a B&B the next morning with shower facilities, cooked-to-order breakfast, and lots of great conversation!   

        On Thursday they gave us a driving tour of the area, and we started at the Welland Canal Museum at lock 3 on the Canal.  The Welland canal consists of 8 locks connecting Lake Ontario with Lake Erie, rising 326' and by-passing Niagara Falls.  Ships up to 775' can traverse the canal, and we quite enjoyed watching one go through.  The photo shows the Canal, part of the museum display, and the St. Catherine's Bridge in the background that we drove over to get into the Niagara district.

        After lunch we took the dogs to "The Commons", a huge "wilderness" area within the city that is probably 1/2 mile long and 1/4 mile wide.  It used to be the barracks area for Fort George, described below.  Dudley and Rosie could run free, and boy did they!  Tired them out so much, they collapsed back in the RV and were happy not to have to do anything but sleep the rest of the afternoon!

          John took Jim over to Ft. George, which was a major British fort constructed in 1799 and was the site of battles in 1813.  It's massive, and is undergoing reconstruction but was open for wandering about.  There was a "reenactor" giving a demonstration on the history and the use of the musket, which would seem to be a rather dry and boring topic.  On the contrary, the man was not only informative but was one of the best stand-up comedians you can imagine.  His delivery had the entire audience, including us, in stitches, and was a true delight!

        Jane and Becky, in the meantime, went touring on their own, including checking out a shop specializing in lavender.

         We met later that afternoon and went to their favourite restaurant in the area, the Angel Inn which dates to 1815 after the original was burned by the Americans during the 1813 battle.  We had actually been there with them 6 years ago, and they serve terrific British pub fare.

         The evening was spent back at their home, where we looked at some old pictures, watched a British murder-mystery, and just enjoyed each others company.