The weekend we went to Jackson to see the Cascades was the start of my two weeks vacation. On Sunday morning over breakfast Joe suggested we go to Niagara Falls. Talk about sponteneity...within two hours we were packed and on the road!
Driving through Canada, the trip only took about six hours. We got to the falls around five and checked into a motel just two miles from the falls. Of course, immediately after checking in, we headed for the falls. And I was blown away. Such power. Such magnificience! All I could think of was a partial bible verse..."What God has wrought!"
We stopped in a snack bar and ate supper then headed for the Wax Museum. Joe and Buddy liked the medieval torture chamber. Tammy liked the costumes from movie scenes. I liked the President exhibit. They were so life-like! Now, remember, it's late...near closing time and we were the only tourists in there. So....we were standing in front of the Lincoln exhibit...I don't even remember what the setting was...all I know, is out of the corner of my eye, I saw him move! And I screamed! I said...that's no statue, he moved. Joe laughed at me...and so did the kids. They finally convinced me it was animated...but I was still feeling unsettled and in a hurry to get out of there!
The next day, Monday, we spent the morning just walking around the falls then took a ride over to the locks...I don't remember the name...but it was interesting. We watched a big ship go from one lock to another. I don't know what that area is like today...I'm sure its changed...but back then, we were close enough to the ship to talk to the sailors on board. Nothing profound, just exchanged greetings and one of the sailors asked Buddy if he would like to be a sailor someday. Buddy said no way...that he wanted to fly planes! Tammy said she would like to and everybody laughed...to think of a girl on a ship!
After a late lunch, we went back to the falls and did all the touristy stuff...put on raincoats and hats and went through the tunnels that come out under the falls and got soaking wet in spite of the protective gear. After checking on the cost, we passed on riding the Maid of the Mist, a boat that went up to the falls.
We drove across the bridge into Buffalo, New York and parked by the river. We all walked on rocks strewn across the river, while I, with my heart in my throat, kept cautioning Tammy and Buddy to be careful. I had visions of one, or both, of them falling in the water and being washed downstream and over the falls. From where we were, it was just a very short distance to the falls. We could feel the spray and hear the roar.
Before we went back to the motel, we rode this ride...as one car went down this really steep hill, it pulled another car up. Again, I was scared to death! And Joe and the kids teased me unmercifully over it. When we got to the bottom, I refused to ride it back up...so we had a long uphill walk to our car.
We got up early the next morning, ate a hurried breakfast and made a last visit to the falls before starting out for home.
The Niagara Falls trip was so wonderful, I didn't think we could ever cap it. But, Wednesday morning, Joe said he had a surprise for us and wouldn't tell us what it was. We stopped by Avanelle's...Joe called Avanelle into the kitchen and let her in on the surprise. When we got ready to leave, Avanelle and her three kids climbed into the car with us! Well, I didn't know where we were going, but knew I'd enjoy whatever it was with Avanelle along. I loved her and loved doing anything with her.
Joe drove down the expressway towards Detroit and I got my first hint when he got off in Dearborn. We went to the Henry Ford Musum and Village. I had gone there once before, on an eighth grade field trip. This was so much better! We took our time wandering around the museum and I don't think we missed a thing. Then we walked through the Village, even took a carriage ride. By the time we got home, I was completely tuckered out...the kids were all asleep within five minutes after getting in the car. But it was a wonderful day. I was sure nothing would ever top it.
But...leave it to Joe. He was determined that this would be my best vacation ever...and the last week my kids would be home for six weeks. The next morning, Thursday, Joe again rushed us through breakfast and into the car. This time we drove out to Aunt Susie's and picked up Altie, Doris and Kay...and went to Boblo Island. We all loved the boat ride even more than the amusement park. On the way back, we decided Boblo Island would be an annual outing...and so it became. As long as I lived in Michigan, we went to Boblo at least once each summer.
Friday morning, I loaded down the trunk with enough clothes for me for a week and for Tammy and Buddy for six weeks. First, I took Joe home to Highland Park, then the kids and I stopped and picked up the girls, Altie and Doris, and went to Indiana.
After the hectic busy week I had just spent, the week of just laying around at Mom's was heaven! I missed Joe something terrible, but loved being with my family for a few days. Too soon it was time to kiss my kids goodbye and admonish them to behave for Grandma. All three of us were crying when I finally drove away. As I glanced in the rear view mirror, I saw Buddy...standing all alone..in the middle of the road, waving goodbye, crying his little heart out. That image of my sad little boy has haunted my dreams ever since.
Yet, I knew I was doing the right thing....and both Buddy and Tammy would be fine within an hour or so. They loved their grandparents and looked forward to these few weeks all year long.
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