#LeapFrogs: Niagara Falls

I faced quite a challenge trying to pull Tim away from the new friends he'd made at the Erie Canal, but Niagara Falls was calling!

When we told family and friends we were heading to Niagara Falls, the first question they all asked, "Do you have passports?"

My passport expired a few years ago, and I never renewed it; Tim has never had one, and now that we're on the road, we knew it would be difficult and costly to obtain. I researched the Falls and learned that they could be viewed "more naturally" from the American side, and that appealed to me, so we went.

As always, budget was a huge consideration in our planning. Niagara Falls is a New York State Park, but they don't charge admission. They do, however, charge for parking ($10). I'd read about the Maid of the Mist boat ride, but knew we didn't have it in the budget, so we planned to just walk around the park and view the Falls from every angle available on land.

The moment we climbed out of the car, we knew we were at Niagara Falls - a fine mist floated across our cheeks, the power of the rushing water vibrated the ground beneath our feet, and the unmistakable roar filled our ears. The power of the Falls touched my pocketbook, too - I decided on the spur of the moment that we'd eat PB & J for a week so we could go on the boat!

Tim earned the nickname Papa Smurf with this photo!

Visiting Niagara Falls was the experience of a lifetime and we're both so glad we splurged on the boat. Definitely worth the price, and the memories will last a lifetime.

I even turned my favorite photo into artwork and it is now available as a limited time promotion on FineArt America!

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Get your #LeapFrogs Merchandise here:

#LeapFrogs Mug

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#LeapFrogs: From Bar Harbor to the Erie Canal

After a beautiful time in Maine, and vows to return, we began a new trek west.

My irrational mountain fears kicked into gear, so we planned a route that would keep us as much out of the mountains as possible. One day, I'll return to the area and explore it all, but for now, this has to suffice.

The drive through Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont was beautiful and surprising, because I found some delightful small lake towns. My imagination went wild thinking of summer homes there. Ha! Unfortunately, I was driving so I didn't capture any pictures until we got to the Vermont welcome center. (I think I could move in there and be perfectly content!)

Before we left Vermont, we were determined to get some maple syrup. Tim's grandfather and uncle made maple syrup in Virginia, so that will always be his favorite, but we did find some Vermont syrup in the quaint town of Bennington. Tim's the syrup person but I delighted in the meat market where we found it - Henry's.

Henry's is a small corner store with all sorts of local delicacies. They roast their own meats for the deli counter, too, and we snagged a delectable chunk of their roast beef for sandwiches. They package the end pieces and sell them in chunks, in addition to slicing, and those chunks make the best "leftover" roast beef sandwiches. (I need one now.)

We'd found a campsite where we could stay awhile, so we headed to Macedon, NY after we left Henry's. We drove along the top edges of several of the Finger Lakes, and vowed to return there, too. The area was a bit crowded as we passed through, but the towns were unique and interesting, and the water incredible. The town of Skaneateles really captured my writer's imagination, so I hope to set a script there at some point. (I'll just need to learn how to pronounce the town name first!)

We weren't sure what to expect when we got to Macedon. The campsite information gave us the basics - free, portajohn, small town. The information was correct, but it was so much more.

The city park sits along the edge of the Erie Canal, and Macedon hosts one of 35 locks on the Erie Canal. The city provides the camping spots for hikers and bicyclists who trek the Erie Canal Trails.

When we arrived, there were a couple of tents set up on one side of the street, away from the canal, but there was one site closer so we chose it for ours. 

The Chief Lock Operator was on hand and while we were there, he educated us on how the system works, and let us watch him work. He gave Tim a close up tour one day while I was at the library working and then some of the other employees, Wink and Wes, taught him even more on other days. 

After I'd worked a few days, I took a day off to explore the area and discovered this park also offers a little library and a butterfly garden. 

One morning, Tim whipped us up some pancakes one morning so we could sample that Vermont maple syrup, too.

I took clothes to the laundromat one day, too, and the Lord had a special blessing and surprise for me. A kind lady was sitting in the lobby and after I got our clothes in the washers, she introduced herself and we began chatting. Her husband came over and they told me they had a local ministry based on the FROG principle - Fully Rely on God! I told them about our journey, the #LEAPFROGS, and he went out to his car to return with this little friend, which he gave me. 

When it was time to leave, they both took my hands and led us in prayer. They said they'd continue praying for us on our journey.

I love divine appointments such as these. They refresh and revive me, and minister in ways in ways I never knew I needed. 

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#LeapFrogs: A New Town and a New Ministry Idea
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#LeapFrogs: Change of Terrain and a Midnight Visitor
#LeapFrogs: Covering a Lot of Miles
#LeapFrogs: Holy Ground in Kerrville

Get your #LeapFrogs Merchandise here:

#LeapFrogs Mug

#LeapFrogs Water Bottle

#LeapFrogs Tote Bag

#LeapFrog T-shirts

#LeapFrogs: Majestic Maine

From Cape Cod and Boston, we headed to Maine, another one of those 4th grade social studies destinations I'd always longed to see. As an adult, I wasn't sure I could handle the cool temperatures I was sure Maine would offer, but I was pleasantly surprised and quickly fell in love with the state.

One interesting aspect I noticed right away - even though most of the area where we'd traveled thus far on this leg along the east coast was already experiencing summer, when we arrived in Maine, we noticed that spring was just beginning. Trees were just beginning to bud, and flowers just beginning to spring their blossoms.

Acadia National Park was already getting crowded, but we met some great folks as we drove around snapping photos. My photos don't do justice to this area. I look forward to returning to the area again.

This is one of my favorites - we watched the cloud move over the island then completely envelope it.

Funny story. While we were driving around the park, we decided to stop for a picnic lunch. These talkative blackbirds joined us, and kept up a running chatter with us the entire time we ate our sandwiches. (Yes, we talked with this. Don't you?)

As soon as we got back in the car, they swooped down to the table to snatch up any crumbs we left behind. They seemed to nod their head in thanks as we drove away. 

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#LeapFrogs: Zigzagging into the Northeast
#LeapFrogs: Bucket List Checkmark - the OBX
#LeapFrogs: Friends, Seafood, and a Personal Tour
#LeapFrogs: The Boondocks, A Library, and Charleston
#LeapFrogs: Pre-Order Our New Release
#LeapFrogs: A New Journey Begins
#LeapFrogs: Wacky Experience in Albuquerque
#LeapFrogs: Discovering Arizona
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#LeapFrogs: Grand Canyon Bound
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#LeapFrogs: Running from the Weather
#LeapFrogs: A New Town and a New Ministry Idea
#LeapFrogs: A Desert Experience
#LeapFrogs: Exploring Carlsbad's Treasures
#LeapFrogs: Settling into New Mexico
#LeapFrogs: Change of Terrain and a Midnight Visitor
#LeapFrogs: Covering a Lot of Miles
#LeapFrogs: Holy Ground in Kerrville

Get your #LeapFrogs Merchandise here:

#LeapFrogs Mug

#LeapFrogs Water Bottle

#LeapFrogs Tote Bag

#LeapFrog T-shirts