NOMADS GATHERING

 Board meetings and seminars began Monday morning.

 Don did an excellent job of informing us and introducing the speakers. We learned a lot about the history of New York.

 At the board meeting Cliff explained the result of the survey we had taken. Money to support NOMADS projects will continue to come form the members, our families and churches.Look at the NOMAD web site if you would like to make a donation or spread the word to your churches.

 It was nice meeting Carla, our only paid administrator. What a great job she does. She had us all  vow to keep our skills sheets updated, to read the weekly updates, and to sign up for one more project this year. I will, I will, I will.

 There was a gathering for all new members and first timers to the annual meeting.Each board member introduced himself and welcomed us.

 The silent auction had many beautiful items to bid on. I was high bidder on two bottles of pure maple syrup so if anyone needs any I have almost a gallon.

 The live auction was lots o f fun. The money is used to help agencies purchase needed materials for the projects we do.  There was 100 fewer NOMADS at our meeting  this year than last, but we raised $1,000 more, $41,000!!!!

 You will see this sign (one with our name on it) in front of our RV. We were the high bidder!

 Perry makes these beautiful signs. Two other bidders are having signs made also, so he will be busy when he gets home.

 We enjoyed the evening entertainments. Lynda square dancing with Larry.

 On Wednesday night there was a covered dish. Our bowls were licked clean. It was nice getting to know each other a little more. Diane, on the right, will be working with us at Cordova, AL, and the couple next to  my sister will be the leaders on the rebuild while we are there.
 On Thursday night many couples renewed their wedding vows in a lovely ceremony. Following the ceremony was a delicious catered dinner.(sorry I forgot my camera)
I really enjoyed going to the annual meeting and would encourage all NOMADS to try to attend next years.

 We left early Friday morning. The trees are changing colors, it was a beautiful drive, unfortunately a little cloudy and rainy.

 We are back at Hershey TT for a little over a week before we leave for Alabama.

HAMBURG,NY

 The NOMADS annual meeting was in Hamburg,NY. There was a camping world in Hamburg so we stopped in and had a surge protector installed and purchased the Rand McNally RV GPS. Hope they will keep us out of some difficulties.

Hamburg Casinowas on hte fairgounds where we were staying. On sunday afternoon we had a delicious buffet at the casino for just $7.They also gave us $10 in Casino money to play. Lynda was the big winner walking away with $33.

 On Saturday the fairground had a huge yard sale. It filled at least three building.

 Sunday we took a trip to Lockport to see  Lock 34 and 35 on the Erie Canal.

 It was a 2 hour narrated boat ride.

We passed under the inverted railroad bridge .

 
 Going through the locks was quite an experience.

 Monday we went to play golf even though it was a little rainy and cold.

 We played with Don and his wife Joyce. A good way to meet fellow NOMADS.

WONDER AFTER WONDER

The last day we went over to Canada we drove  to Niagara-on-the-Lake and enjoyed looking around this quaint little town.

 You can see Fort George on the lake.

 The town is full of restaurants and high end shops.  We ate at the Angel Inn.

 A meal of fish and chips.

 This  is wine country so we stopped and sampled some of the wines.

 A healthy looking vineyard.

 Our last day at Niagara Falls was spent on the American side of the falls. You are close to all the water getting ready to go over the falls. You hear and feel the power but you can't see the falls as you do from the Canadian side.

 Lynda and I went to the Cave of the Winds. Lynda rates this as the thing she liked best after the White Water Walk.

 You walk right by the falls and really feel its power.

 At Hurricane Cove you could really get soaked.

 I wanted Lynda to go stand under the fall but she decided she was close enough.

The Seneca Casino is very pretty and can be seen from the Canadian side. We played our Casino money (winning a little) and ate at the buffet before heading back to our RV. I think we had a great tour of Niagara!

TOURIST

 We arrived at Niagara Falls KOA on Friday about 5:30 right after a heavy rain. We have had beautiful weather since until today's rain.

 We didn't let Lynda go see  the Falls on Friday night, she was so anxious! We crossed the border to Canada on Saturday for a day of sight seeing.

 We paid $20 to park and Lynda rushed off to see the Falls.

 Lynda and Larry need to turn around to see the falls! An impressive sight!

 A little information.

 We bought an Adventure Pass which included Niagara's Fury, Behind the Falls, Maid of the Mist, and White Water Walk. We needed raincoats for most of them. Here we are in line to go Behind the falls.

 a great view.

 Another fun fact.

 For a little rest and dinner we went to the Fallsview Casino. We really needed to sit after climbing up the very steep hill! We each got $10 in Casino money to play and we each made $5. While we were at the buffet people started looking out the window. We went over to see what they were looking at and saw a man crossing a tight rope.

 He does it every night at 7, and no he is not the man who crossed the falls.

 Our evening ended with viewing the falls all lit up with different color lighting.

 After churchon Sunday we went over to Canada  and continued our touring. We found we could park the car for free here at White Water Walk.

You went down to the river and walked along the pathway to see the powerful level 6 rapids.

 Hope you can view this video. Lynda rates this as her top attraction.

 We got on the bus and went to the end of the line and saw the floral clock.

 We stopped at Souvinor City and had lunch, a little cheaper than at the Falls.

 We dooned our blue raincoats and took the Maid of the Mist boat ride, still we got a little wet.

 The view of Journey Behind the Falls from the boat.

 It is fun getting so close to the falls and feeling the spray.

 We went up Clifton Hill the night before on the way home (lost trying to get to the bridge), so we wanted to see it in the day time.

 and to take a ride on the Sky Wheel.

 The cars are air conditioned or heated depending on the outside weather.

 The view of the falls from the top.

 The Rainbow Bridge into the USA.  We ended our day early and went home to rest before heading back to the Falls on the American side to see the fireworks.  We walked around the falls, and waited to after 10 but there were no fireworks.

 Monday Lynda and I went to the Botanical Gardens and Larry went to the power pland for a tour.

 We met each ather at 2:30, had lunch and then parked the car again at the White Water Walk. We took the WEGO bus back to the Falls.

 It seems that everyday about 4 there is a beautiful rainbow. What a sight!!

 We had gone back to the Casino, so Lynda could play her Casino money. Then we went to the IMAX and saw Legends and Daredevils at the Falls, ate a snack at DQ and headed back for the bus.

and waited for the bus. but no green line bus came. It was about 8 o'clock and we decided they must stop running at 6. Our car was parked 4 km from the Falls, so we took a long walk. Today is rainy, so we are resting up. Hard to believe there is more to see and do.