Friday, December 04, 2009

Went to Niagra Falls and all I got was...

So yeah...we went to Niagra Falls. God, what is wrong with me? I can't write in a more timely manner? I think I'm beginning to see where my son gets his poor work habits...

Anyway...

Niagra Falls. If you are a facebook friend then you probably were able to piece it all together. If not...the highlights...

Bought socks.

Drove through PA, stopping at Wegman's for carryout sushi for lunch. Wasabi! (A reference for Sam who enjoys that silly I Survived A Japanese Game Show)

New York.

Found the Buffalo airport and located the beautiful Kathy McC's luggage without incident.

Drove around looking for an ATM because neither Kathy or I knew if our ATM cards would work in the ATM machines in Canada. What? So we're new at this international travel business.

Toured the University of Buffalo...or Buffalo State...I can't remember. Nice campus. No ATM to be found.

Drove across the rainbow bridge and laughed like loons (come to think of it...there was quite a bit of loony-like laughing during the weekend). "Isn't the rainbow bridge where your dead pets go?" It was funny at the time...guess you had to be there.

Met the most uptight border patrol crossing guard. Kathy said he was an ass. I tend to agree. He asked us how we knew each other and I SO wanted to say, "We've never met before...we've just talked over the internet...and we're following the directions given to us by another person we've only ever talked to over the internet." But since I didn't think Kathy wanted to visit Guantanamo Bay, I just said we were friends.

Saw a GIANT Hershey's kiss that kinda looked like a flying saucer...and laughed like loons.

Through a series of hilarious misunderstandings, ended up in the wrong house. Watched the Star Wars meets 700 Club episode of SouthPark.

Found the correct house with the help of the landlord. Called Ann and Jen laughing hysterically...they thought we'd been drinking. I was kinda afraid they might change their minds at this point and not show up...we were kinda scary. But they did, and we all went for a walk in Niagra Falls...on "the hill." My advice...stay away from the hill. It's like the Vegas strip with the neon lights and loud music and wax museums and freak shows...only it's on a hill. Very unpleasant.

Had dinner at the Cockhouse. Kathy McC exhibited her stellar reading skills here and transformed the Cookhouse into something seedy. But since they had crappy food and even crappier drinks, seedy works for them. Plus, there was this weird guy staring during the meal...so this establishment earned its name. And since it makes us giggle every time we say it, Cockhouse works for us.

After that it was pretty much a blur of good conversation, these amazing cookie dough truffles made by msfitzita (who sent them along even though she sadly was not able to make it...how awesome is she?!?!), wine, and relaxation.

There was (some of this I real-time tweeted) an Elvis Costello look-alike at dinner one night, FABULOUS apple martinis, wax museums, pork jerky, Cher, mullets and poutine.

There was afternoon naptime.

There was learning of the AWESOME habit of rinsing with vodka (which more than one of us have since tried, I'm sure).

There was Wayne Gretzky wine and an insanely overcrowded Christmas shop.

There was the LOUD sound of the falls on the front porch at night...and the helicopter buzzing overhead during the day.

There was the overly-friendly guy on the roof of Cash For Gold.

There was a lovely winery and a hat that "just wasn't meant to be."

There was authentic military simulation and the old lady at the pharmacy who knew EXACTLY where the nearest liquor store was.

Two words that should never be together...let alone foods that should be served together...Sushi BBQ.

There were weird dreams of strangers breaking in in the middle of the night...and checking to make sure they hadn't stolen the wine (a girl has to have priorities).

There was a lovely Perkins breakfast.

There was Kathy McC's fancy iPhone getting us un-lost after visiting THE most crowded outlet mall EVER.

And, of course, who can forget...fudge, fudge, FUDGE!?!?!

Yeah...Niagra Falls is WEIRD. But I had an amazing time getting to visit with the ladies from the blogosphere. We shared some laughs that felt really good. But more than that, I really felt free to be me...in a way I haven't felt since May 11, 2005.

(Yes, this post requires a picture. So here we are...the only group shot of the weekend I think. And yes, I stole it from Kathy...thanks Kath!)

Despite our appearance in this photo, we had a good time. In fact, we had such a good time, I would like it to become a yearly tradition. Or at least try it one more time.

Who else is in?

3 comments:

Shinny said...

I am so sorry that I missed out on that adventure. At least if I had been with you could have honestly said you had met me in person before. ;) I wasn't sure, after Cedar Point, if you would admit we were friends or not. ;) Next year count me in. I will get working on my passport well in advance.

delphi said...

Oh. My. God. The lack of details was keeping me from going insane, having missed this. Okay, I will be realistic and remember that I was stricken down with a cold and my kid was sick, too, and my husband was working overtime, and there was no way in hell I could have made it, even if I could have afforded the stinkin' plane ticket. But then I hear tales of the Cockhouse and think "WHAT DID I MISS?????"

Alright, settling down. I want to come next year. I don't know how on earth it will be more possible next year, but maybe the heavens will part and beams of light will stream down and it will be the perfect weekend and I can some. This is what I am counting on.

TOOOOOO FUN!!!!

Kathy McC said...

Oh man, we had such a great time, didn't we?? I miss you guys so much already!!

I am ready for next year. Amsterdam sounds good to me. :-)

Love you all!

Mom

My mom insisted on living independently. She wanted to live in the two-story house she and my dad built in the 70s, despite the fact that da...