Niagara Falls & Montreal

Hi friends & family ~
So, if you aren't caught up on what went down in Niagara, you should read the Whiz Dells post to get yourself informed.  Our time in Niagara was about 17 minutes...the falls were pretty impressive but the stuff around it was nothing to write home about.  It seemed to me that at one time, maybe in the 1950's, it was a favorite vacation spot but it is now very run down, lots of old buildings with boards over the windows, graffiti... and we were not wanting to spend too much time there.  

After the falls, the highlight for the girls was...wait for it...getting donuts at 7-11.  I know, I know, my stomach did a little loopty loo when Aaron brought them out but to say the girls were thrilled was an under statement.  Other than a few ice cream cones here or there, sugar has not been seen too much around here so they were stoked!!

We decided to bypass getting out to experience the falls and just take pictures from the car on our way to Montreal.  We had to drive about 10 hours to get to Montreal and with no air conditioning the sooner we got there, the better.  I think the worst part about no ac is that we have to keep the windows rolled down to stay cool and as a result, we can't really talk because it is so loud.  Needless to say, my right arm is very tan!

The things I loved about Montreal:

• The french language - it is truly a beautiful language that I wish I spoke.  I am sure that I overheard someone telling their family member that they were out of toilet paper but it sounded so sophisticated and elegant.
• The beautiful archictecture - small streets, old buildings with window boxes full of flowers
• Going to mass at the Notre Dame de Basilica - the ornate and timeless carvings and wood detail, the service in french, and oh, the stained glass...exquisite.

(Sorry, my connection is struggling a bit so I will post this picture later)

• The diversity of the people...that felt very much like Paris to me. 
• Riding on the subway with the girls who had never done that before... it is making me very excited about NYC...the subway there is so much more...more smells, more people, more alive...
• Going to a farmers market that made me miss my yard and my dog...there were a lot of both ...I could not stop taking pictures of fruit, vegies, and plants.  The rest of my fam thought I was crazy.   The "Pioneer Woman" in me was coming out in food staging and photo taking!

We spent just 1 day in Montreal before we were back in the states  - Morrisville, Vermont...which is a new post coming...and we loved Vermont.  Lots of fun things...a few descriptive teasers are bugs, ice cream, river, puppy, Dotty, nails, views, rain, and the curse of the whiz dells strikes again.  Tune in next time on...the BFT 2011.

A couple of miscellaneous items:

• I am on my third book - I have read "The Art of Racing in the Rain"  - (very good read - also made me miss Dawbs - the book is told from the point of view of a dog named Enzo) and "Water for Elephants"  - (I now want to see the movie but the book was also a page turner and a history lesson on the circus..who knew?) and I am currently riveted by "State of Wonder" by Ann Patchett.  Thanks Steve & Marlyse for the book - I have been telling Aaron and McKenna about it and they are enjoying the book too through my story telling.  :)  If you know me, reading books just doesn't happen so this feels like a treat...my next book is "Dogs of Babel". 
• I feel dirty...kinda always.  Even after I take a shower, I still don't feel 100% clean but the sad part is that I am sorta getting used to it.
• I haven't worn makeup for 25 days and I have found myself thinking "these people won't ever see me again so who cares!"  But I think the real reason is that it is so warm that my makeup would end up running off or down my face with all of my sweat!  UGH!  So gross...

That is all from me for now! 

Love & Hugs!  ~  Karie

P.S  Happy belated birthday to one of my favorite Jack's -Ashley!    And to Emmy Rose Jack...Happy belated birthday to you too!  We would be camping together right now at the Bar  - we are missing you and your family!

P.S.S.  I am so bummed about the Women's World Cup...they definitely made it exciting!  I was on the edge of my seat...