ladies and gentlemen, this is niagara falls

Yesterday Dan took me to do the one thing that I've been most excited about regarding my visit to Buffalo; took me to Niagara falls.

I had been here at some point as a child but really don't remember it too well.  I also think I was here at some point in the winter which would have made it a completely different experience.

Yesterday basically could not have been a more beautiful day.  And it was just the right temperature that you didn't mind getting spritzed by the falls.

And oh was there spritzing.  I asked Dan if I really needed to wear the oversized poncho to which he just laughed and said, "well that's up to you I guess".

I thought it was going to be more like splash mountain.  You know, the occasional blast of water but generally controlled.  I guess it's really more like a giant waterfall that is constantly dumping thousands of gallons of water on to the heads of the passerby's at the base.

It really is quite incredible though.  I mean it's just so much water!

Dan's experience with Niagara Falls is not unlike my experience with Fort Sumter in that he had to come here every year in school on field trips so he knows it like the back of his hand.  Of course this made him the best tour guide, leading us to all the hot spots while avoiding the riff raff.

And against my protests he also forced me to take a tour on the boat.

I just really don't like lots of people in a confined space so I was wary of this endeavor, but once we were on the boat and going past the falls I understood why it was very necessary.

When you are looking down from above you are more struck by the height and the feeling of vertigo.  When you are looking up from the bottom you are more overwhelmed by the sheer force of the water pouring over the edge.

I described it as "dramatic" which Dan said was an apt description.

I'm pleased with myself for managing to get some pictures while at the same time neither dropping my phone in the water, nor getting it soaked by the mist.  I'm also just glad that I got any pictures at all since 75% of the ones I took came out like this:

So much mist!

I think I've seen all Buffalo has to offer now, not sure what today holds in store for Dan and me.  I figure Dan will want to go out in search of Ralphie at some point.

Me:  Oh it's happy hour now?  What does that mean?

Ralphie:  It's the time, usually before like 9:00pm when a bar will have drink specials, or two for one deals or something.

Me:  ...Yeah, I know what happy hour is in general, I meant what is it here?

Ralphie:  Oh, well it's going on right now and it means that some drinks are going to be cheaper than others.

So helpful Ralphie.

creepy

when I asked Dan's mom what the story was behind this cardboard child she told me some roundabout story regarding an art class or something.  I didn't really follow.  All I know is every time I see it I get a chill down my spine.

Happy 4th of July

Dan's family had a quintessential 4th of July backyard bbq that you don't even know how jealous you are that you missed.  Unfortunately Dan got me hammered off of watermelon mint martinis and I ended up passing out for the better part of the afternoon.

But I did wake up in time for us to go to see the fireworks!  Dan took me here for some prime viewing:

It's the University of Buffalo, which I commented was beautiful to which Dan quickly replied, "no, no its not".  I think he just has the same feelings about it that I would have about USC or UF, it's only exciting if you're not from the area.

There was no wondering about the excitement level of the fireworks however.  They really were cool, especially since we were sitting fairly close to them.  The depth, the depth!!

Enjoy the blue, it's the most expensive color!

I like this one because it reminds me of the end of Britney's concert when she vanishes in a waterfall of fireworks.  

Even though we sat there longer waiting for the fireworks to start than actually watching them it was a really fun night.  Once we started playing music on our phones, yelling at every passerby, "Justin?  BJ?", and drinking champaign I forgot about the fireworks anyways.  They ended up being a pleasant surprise.

Now I've got to brush me teeth and get ready for some HARDCORE sight seeing.

so many beautiful flowers

I don't understand how Florida, the land of flowers, doesn't hold a candle to Buffalo.  I mean it's like every yard is overflowing with amazing flowers of every color, size, and shape.

Dan has been making me watermelon mint martinis for the past 3 hours so I'm pretty toasted.  I think we need to take a little nappy before figuring out where to go watch fireworks.

zsa zsa buffalo

Dan and his sister Emily took me out for a night on the town last night and it was everything I hoped it would be and so much more.

Not unlike our life in NYC the majority of our evening was spent watching music videos by ourselves and shooting dirty looks at the people dominating the jukebox.  I did manage to get one amazing song in the rotation.  I paid 50 cents to play 'all I want for christmas is you' and another 50 cents to have it skip the line and get played immediately.  It was so worth it.

Though the bars stay open until 4am here (?) we did not end up staying out that late, which was fine with me as I'm definitely excited about today's activities.  I'm hidden away now working on my blog but it sounds like there is a lot of fixin's and mixin's going on in the kitchen that I would like to be a part of.

Will touch base later I'm sure.

P.S. I am in love with Dan's family.

why isn't she allowed to party!?

I had such a fun time at Kitty's 4th of July party last night, my only complaint was that Bella was segregated to the back room.  I honestly don't know why she didn't just step over the doggy fence as she easily could have.  I guess she is just too well behaved for that nonsense.

It was so fun to go to a party in Sarasota that didn't consist entirely of family members.  I actually met new people!  Crazy!  Of course one woman asked my sister and I if we were in high school which caused us both to laugh to the point of not even being able to explain why it was so funny.

And the food, oh the food, so much amazing 4th of July food.  What I wouldn't give for some pasta salad right now.

But my heart still broke for the party guest that was not allowed to mingle with the other guests.

"Why oh why won't you just let me hang out and be nice and knock things over with my butt?"

: (

birds!

Every morning my father has told me about how the entire lake was overrun by birds but then they all flew away before I woke up.  I have to admit I only partially believed him, and even so figured it was just a bunch of birds.

But this is like some Alfred Hitchcock shit.  I mean there really were hundreds of birds all along the edge of the lake and then several flying across the lake with murder in their eyes.

I'm just thankful my Dad got me parking under the carport, otherwise I would be coming back to a polka dotted car.  Blech.