Girl Trip!

Last year we stormed Chicago on our girl trip, and this year we decided to start knocking off the wonders of the world by going to Niagra Falls. It was a fresh adventure since none of us had been there!


Turned out to be a bit of a fiasco flying in from separate spots, but perfectly arranged on paper. They make "international" to be such a big deal and we only cross the Great Lakes!

Our first view of the Falls from our hotel room made them look wimpy, but up close and personal, they did not disappoint.

under the Falls

feeling the power and hearing the roar of nature

202,00 cubic feet of water falls over the crest line per second! that measures to a staggering amount of rushing water!

had a fun lunch in Niagra by the Lake and enjoyed this cutsy town and fun shopping

Ashley needed a snack even tho it was smashed and melted

nothing deters the girl!


worth our $2 ride!

we were such tourists!

Loved this bridge linking USA to CA!


We walked it and watched the sunset and fireworks from the middle (happy to touch American concrete!)

I also tried to drive across it but turned out to be the wrong bridge, ended up on the US side - no passports and traffic jam through customs. Took a while and got an abrasive customs clerk that did not find the humor in our plight. He asked us to remove our sunglasses, and where are we from, of which none of our answers were consistent. He ran things through his computer (or really was just finishing his solitaire game) and played hard ball with us.

True to Hickson behavior, we keep talking until we say the thing that works the magic. The girls decided ahead of time if they had to serve time, they wanted to be boat drivers for the Maid of the Mist, so I offered their services to the man with the gun. That seemed to crack the code and he let us through.


Every big city trip requires
a visit to China Town (NY is better!)

and a play ...
saw the Sound of Music in Toronto - FABULOUS!

a favorite



In Toronto we found ourselves in the midst of an impromptu shrine in memory of Michael Jackson. It was one of those things you ask yourself, 'is this what I think it is?' and the moment wraps you up in disbelief. These people adorned in capes and white gloves, brought lawn chairs and pictures wanting to sing, dance and listen to his music.

This guy in the leather jacket thinks he's MJ and was living his 10 minutes of fame.


This is the view off the rooftop of our hotel where we hung out in the hot tub and exchanged funny notes about the day - spectacular!


I love these girl trips as I miss my girls around! They make me live and laugh to the point of tears! There's nothing more fun than girl chatter and I love they share theirs with me.


The girls, (actually all of the kids) find it very amusing to expound upon my various foibles, punctuating each other's stories with recollections and bursts of laughter. It makes me chuckle too. (Heather has incredible stories that none of us remember!) Despite the many flaws and imperfections that have not escaped their notice, I am grateful they still love unconditionally.

I miss the golden years when all the kids were under our roof and we moved as a group, but sadly, the end to which we raise them is to be self-sufficient and wonderful, productive people on their own. Backfires a bit, but that's where we are and happy the circle grows bigger and we're all still in it!


Eventually the sun sets, ending another great girl trip for the memory bank.
Thanks for the tears of joy, girls! xoxo