A Quarter of a Century!

I guess it's official, I'm 25 today. Not that I'm sad about that, I'm actually excited to be a year older. I'm not sure at what age that gets turned around. I tried to keep it under wraps, however, but apparently didn't do a good enough job. Travis and I went over to Dave and Briste's last night, for a game night with 4 other couples. We were talking and having a good time when the lights suddenly went out and Rachel brought in a birthday cake while everyone sang. I was so surprised (and embarrassed) but it was really nice. I felt loved. Can you believe we only met these people three weeks ago? That's how great this place is. And if you'll notice in the pic, I blew out all my candles, so I guess I have a wish coming my way :) Yea!

Trav and I woke up early (ok not early, but earlier than usual) and drove to officially see Niagra Falls. We bought the whole tourist package and started the day with Maid of the Mist. We got beautiful blue ponchos and headed out on the boat ready to get wet. This is the before picture.

We passed the American Falls first and got a good mist...

then approached the Horseshoe Falls and got drenched! It felt like we were in a downpour. I'll admit that when I first saw the Falls from land I thought "Eh, pretty cool, but it looks just like the pictures". This is how my Grand Canyon experience went. However, once you see the torrential churn of H2O first hand, you immediately gain respect. It is straight crazy. (in the words of LaRee :)

Our next stop was called Journey behind the Falls. You take an elevator and few hundred feet down and follow a tunnel that is underneath the waterfall. There are two lookouts, but all you see is water gushing down. You're literally right behind it. Take a flight of steps down and there is a lookout point that sits right at the rocks underneath the Falls. Another drenching experience!

On to the Butterfly Conservatory! This doesn't seem to fit with the whole "Niagra" theme, but it was included in the package. It's basically a jungle in a dome filled with butterflies. There is nothing separating you from them. We watched a movie before, describing butterflies and I found myself thinking, "Yeah, they are pretty, but they are still insects. It's just like big, colorful, moths flying all around you". I suddenly wasn't so excited.

In we go and immediately one flies at my bare legs! I stifle a scream as Travis tries to calm me while pretending he doesn't know the neurotic girl who is afraid of a butterfly. I was instantly shamed and tried my best to keep my hand over my mouth and not let them sense my fear.

They randomly land on you. Here is calm Travis enduring a butterly encounter.

You can see them flying around above.

I did it! I faced my fear head on! After a good 45 min. I let one sit on my hand. No applause please. =)



This video got out of order, but this is at White Water Walk. It's a quarter of a mile trail that follows the river from the Falls. It has class 6 rapids which I guess are the most dangerous in the world. They looked scary enough. Can you believe people have actually tried swimming in this?!


The day was a success! Thanks to my wonderful husband of course. I was craving good Mexican food for dinner and he drove me all around town looking for a restaurant. We finally found La Tolteca, thanks to Dave, and enjoyed some burritos and enchiladas. I jammed out to Mariah Carey's greatest hits CD all day. I had mentioned I wanted it a few times and Trav always picks up on stuff like that. I hadn't even meant for it to be a hint. And of course we had to get donuts, since that's our birthday tradition. Lucky for us, Tim Hortons has an amazing donut called Canadian Maple. We are both in love!