It’s about time I got caught up with the blog. We left New Hampshire on Friday heading west to Minnesota. There are no specific plans to sight-see along the way. Heck, we didn’t even plan the route! Just pointed west and off we went.

During our travel times like this we don’t see any point in spending $40 or $50 to stay overnight in an RV park so we’re always keeping an eye out for free parking opportunities. Friday night we stayed in a Walmart parking lot in Herkimer, New York. Then Saturday night we made it to Niagara Falls, NY and stayed in the gravel lot at Seneca Niagara Casino. Rain was on the way, and it was hot, and we were tired, so other than spending some time inside the casino we did not walk down to the Falls on the American side.

Surprise to us, an outdoor concert was planned for that night in the paved parking lot next to us. Playing was Hollywood Vampires, consisting of Alice Cooper, Johnny Depp and Joe Perry. It was delayed briefly because of the rain, but was not cancelled. We could hear the music into the night right from our RV.

Seneca Niagara Casino

Sunday morning we crossed the Rainbow Bridge into Canada, paying a $14 toll, and going through the Canada Border Crossing. The only questions asked of us were how many people, kids, pets, and did we have any weapons on board, where are we from, and where are we going. He checked our passports and we were on our way.

Canada Border Crossing

Niagara Falls is best visited from the Canadian side  and we have seen the American side before so this time we focused on the Canadian side. We were able to park the RV in the lot with the busses all day for $10. And they said we can stay overnight there if we want, so we did.

Skylon Tower Parking Lot

At the casino a block away we exchanged $100 American dollars for Canadian dollars and were given $126. The exchange rate is $1.30 less a transaction fee. We just wanted some “walk around” money while we are here. It’s best to use credit cards, that way there is no transaction fee.

The Falls can’t be seen from the ground in this area. A few blocks away we did get a peek through the trees.

Niagara Falls

In spite of all the tourists, and there were a lot, we had no trouble getting lunch reservations for the revolving restaurant at the top of the Skylon Tower.

Skylon Tower, Niagara Falls, Canada

The view from the restaurant was incredible. It takes one hour for a complete rotation. I took lots of pictures.

Rainbow Bridge and the American Falls

Horseshoe Falls

Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls

At night the falls are lit with changing colors for a few hours.

Horseshoe Falls

Fireworks!

Fireworks over Niagara Falls

We could have spent a few more days here because there are more attractions and things to see and do, but we needed to be on our way.Monday night we stayed overnight in the parking lot of OLG Casino in Point Edward, Ontario, Canada.

Today we made it to Warren Dunes State Park on Lake Michigan in the state of Michigan, not far from Chicago, Illinois. It’s 90 degrees and humid, storms in the forecast. It’s good to have electricity to run the air conditioners!

Warren Dunes State Park

Warren Dunes State Park on Lake Michigan

Only 512 miles to go!

• Distance driven from New Hampshire:  850 miles
• Gasoline:      $221 @ $2.15 (NY) and $2.29(MI)
• Gasoline:      $80 Canadian dollars @ $1/ltr. (Exchange rate $1.30 per $1 American)
• Lodging:       $10  Canadian dollars @ Niagara Falls
• Lodging:       $48  US @ Warren Dunes State Park
• Bridge Toll:   $14 US  @ Niagara Falls Border Crossing
• Bridge Toll:   $12 Canadian dollars @ Sarnia Border Crossing