Family Ties

Leaving the Connelys is bittersweet, but we're off for more family interaction so all is well. Michigan is our journey's destination today as Celeste has a multitude of family members in this great state. Our first stop will be to see her Mom, it's been six months and she is more than anxious for this visit!

A quick stop for lunch in Toledo at Tony Packos is great fun and produces the excellent hot dogs for which it's famous, as well as breaks up the trip perfectly. Crossing the border into Michigan follows and we are at her Mom's place in no time. It is a wonderful reunion and mother and daughter enjoy their visit hugely.

We are spending our time here at her sister Jan's home, which is only minutes away from her mom, and before settling in this evening she treats us for dinner at Lucky's along with her son, Jim and daughter-in-law, Melissa. Dinner and the visit are very fun and we eat well before continuing our catch-up back at Jan's. Celeste is beaming to finally have Palazzolo time and it's a joy to watch this close knit family instantly bond once again.









Our next day's activity includes a cookout at her niece's Andrea's home, which includes sisters, Elizabeth and Rebecca, and all of their offspring. The young cousins enjoying their time is a joyous sight and again this amazing family shows what family ties are all about. It is a very enjoyable outing and yet another fun dinner. Thanks, Andrea for the feast!

Jim and Melissa add to the cookout musts in Michigan and host a wonderful evening, as well. An incredible slide show of their honeymoon in Hawaii is one highlight and additional grilled items and laughter complete the fun. A late visit by her other sister, Celia caps off a great evening.



We are treated to complimentary and much needed haircuts from her high school friend, Kelly, before meeting up with a few more of their crowd for one more cookout at her dear friend, Brenda's home. This group defines fun! Much drinking and laughing makes for the ultimate high school reunion get together - yet another bond that is a delight to witness. Great food and warm, welcoming people abound in Michigan and once again Celeste is incredibly happy to have this time!

A bonus discovery that one of our fellow New Lifers, Susan, lives only 40 minutes from Jan allows us a quick visit to her lovely home in Rochester. She prepares a delicious breakfast of Eggs Benedict (my favorite) and we enjoy a leisurely dine with great New Life stories, plus reports on our subsequent and future travels. We enjoy a great walk into the darling downtown area which is just a few blocks away while Susan plays tour guide. This is a beautiful and charming area and we enjoy our few hours with our new friend immensely.


One final get together occurs back at Jan's, with another son, Ricky, and his two beautiful boys, Alex and Dylan. Grandma Jan is in heaven with her beautiful boys visiting. Celia arrives with her two offspring Rebecca and William, and grandchild, Anthony. Jim and Melissa join again (they can't miss a party!) and this last evening is once again evidence of true family. It's an amazing group and I feel quite privileged to have been included so warmly.

Celeste is able to have daily visits with her Mom, time with a huge part of her family, and a reunion with dear friends - it is a perfect Michigan getaway.

A special thanks to Jan for providing wonderful accommodations for our time here and much love to all of this Michigan family! What fun we had!!!!

Reconnecting in Ohio

Niagara is filling quickly as the Memorial Weekend is approaching, we have timed our trip perfectly. Today we head to Ohio to stay at Casa Connelly (my dear friends, Susan and Jack, who have just recently retired in Medina, southeast of Cleveland). Our journey takes us back through New York and Pennsylvania, skirting the Eerie as we come into Ohio. Despite the weekend travel, we have a pleasant and easy trip and find their beautiful home with no problems.

It has been too many years since we've last visited, Susan and I have known each other since college! Their home is beautiful and so are they - and the welcome is just what we need for the holiday weekend. As with all good friends, time is quickly dismissed as we settle in to enjoy our time here. Dakota, their beautiful lab, also is happy to see us and the weekend begins with cocktails and snacks on the outside deck overlooking a gorgeous ravine and we begin the catching up process. Jack grills baby lamb chops and veggies and we embark on a delicious feast yet keep in our new healthy mode - it doesn't get any better!












We settle into our luxurious accommodations and sleep very well, needless to say. As both Susans are fighting spring respiratory issues, we have decided to opt for a low key weekend and it's perfect. Celeste finds a plethora of hummingbird photo options in the back yard and has much fun capturing their habits.

We manage to have a birthday celebration intended for all, as we've each had momentous ones this year and the past three but not together. Mrs. C manages to prepare the beautiful cake even though she's not at her best. Despite our coughs, we enjoy!


Our visiting is the highlight of our trip but we do sneak in a little excursion on Memorial Day. A trip to Cuyahoga Valley National Park provides a unique viewing of the blue heron nesting and babies hatching - an amazing sight as dozens of nests are located in just a couple of trees along the outskirts of the river. We enjoy the mothers flocking to attend and the little ones readying for their impending release into the world. It is an incredible peek into the efficient world of nature and we thoroughly enjoy!

A little trek on a tow path along the river is very inviting and it is lovely to see so many families enjoying the gorgeous spring holiday amidst this beauty. As the weekend winds down, we can't miss the sunflower planting. Jack, Susan and Dakota aid Celeste in finding the perfect spot for our ritual. It is the ideal closing for a marvelous reconnection in Ohio!

Our thanks and love to all three of you - we had a wonderful time!!!

Niagara Mist

Heading out of Ithaca this morning, we make one more waterfall stop at Taughannock Falls State Park. Just another taste before the big event looming in Canada this afternoon! Again, we are in awe of the beauty that is in this area. It almost seems we're not worthy as the spectacular vista is visible with no hike involved whatsoever. We're not complaining!!



The drive along the Cayuga Lake is peaceful and makes for some beautiful scenery as we traverse north. A visit to the Finger Lakes again is highly likely as we begin to realize just how much this region offers. We have a very easy trip and cross over into Canada (my first time!) with relative ease. The falls welcoming grandly!












The rumor that the Canadian side is the prettiest is found to be incredibly true. The drive along the fall route is unbelievable and we find a small park with a beautiful skyline view to have a little picnic before beginning a closer journey to the roaring wonder.

Checking into our room at the Hilton, we're presented with a perfect view of both the United States and Canadian Falls and our excitement mounts. After settling in, we hike along the boardwalk pausing, gaping, and taking pics - we fall in well with all the other tourists. The walk to the Maid of the Mist is very fun and arriving brings memories of Disney trips - lots of people want to do this! Tickets are purchased, blue rain ponchos are secured and we anxiously await our turn to board the ship.

The 30-minute excursion is well worth the wait and the experience is all and more that has been promised. We have the perfect weather for this tour and being this close to the roar is phenomenal. As we enter the mist, we feel like we're entering a hurricane, it's exhilarating, a bit scary and just plain fun! This up close encounter is well worth the price of admission and a must do if ever you visit this force of nature.

Upon our exit, we find numerous stops to further enjoy this magnificence and we linger long enough to witness one of the most beautiful rainbows form to frame the subsequent boats venturing into the mist. It is exactly what the first glimpse of Niagara should be and we are very thankful.

The Hilton provides a panoramic dining venue in the Watermark Restaurant to enjoy delicious food while not missing a moment of the falls in action. Definitely on the expensive side, but it's our splurge for our quick visit - it is all about the falls after all - and Celeste's Prime Rib is to die for. As the sun sets, the lights of the falls and skyline come alive and bring another gorgeous sight. We finish our evening marveling at the view we are fortunate enough to have from our room and rest well in very comfortable beds. It has been quite a day!

Upstate Beauty

Several parks in this very pretty city provide yet more trails, gorges and waterfalls. Robert H. Treman State Park presents more than most state parks combined could provide. We can't believe what we find here!



The lower falls host a swimming hole, although not officially opened today, brimming with early guests who have waited long enough for the warmth to make an appearance this spring. We find many families pouring in this afternoon, all enjoying the crystal clear pool of refreshment. The Gorge Trail connects 2 1/2 miles upstream to the higher falls. We opt to drive to the top and hike a mile of the upper falls, combined with the ridge trail for what appears to be the optimum views. And, oh, are we rewarded beautifully!



























































It is hard to imagine anything that could rival what we experience here, and we know the western portion of our trip will be spectacular. But, New York state is a force to be reckoned, there is no doubt!






Though the climb is quite steep, Celeste claims this would be an advanced hike for New Life, the payoff is more than worth the effort. We love it here!!!





After a full day of hiking, gorgeous vistas and beautiful falls, we concede and take a quick auto tour through the darling downtown area, evident of college life. We can't help but stop in at Jason's convenience store - fro yo and all. We think of both Jason and Ash at this destination, needless to say!

Our home away from home provides dinner for us this evening and we're quite happy as we've exerted a lot of energy on our Ithaca tour today. Plans for a good night's rest a must as we head to Canada in the morning!!!!

Wildflowers and Waterfalls

Our journey from New Life en route to Niagara Falls takes us through the beautiful finger lake region of New York. We both fall in love with this area. Base will be at the Homewood Suites in Ithaca for a couple of nights, good midpoint stop, comfortable accommodations and a wonderful area for exploring some of the gorgeous outdoor amenities that abound.














Cornell University is a five minute drive and we find their magnificent Plantations to explore first thing. The wildflower garden is impressive housed along the river. Meandering here is paradise.
















The arboretum presents magnificent views along it's two mile trail and a suspension bridge takes us onto a very pretty back trail also skirting the river. There is a plethora of options in this piece of heaven and we soak up as much as possible this morning.

























A quick tour through the main campus escorts us to Ithaca Falls where we picnic, plant our sunflower seeds and gape in awe at the tremendous waterfall we're able to virtually touch. It's the perfect prelude to the next day's grand Niagara and we get more excited by the minute.




We pause a good while here soaking it in before jetting to our next adventure in this amazing place!