Wheeewww...this vacation stuff is exhausting! We've been on the go, go, go and having all kinds of fun in and around the Erie area.
We went to the Blues & Jazz Fest on Saturday & had a BLAST. It was the first time we'd ever been there, but it won't be the last. How fun! Our running friends were there with a giant tent and a BUFFET (oh...and a few libations, too...hey...why do you think we run!?!). The girls may have a future as an inflatable air band.
I had been working a booth for the paper at the Jazz Fest & was in charge of bringing home the ETN seagull, Seymore. We couldn't resist having a little fun with the BIG guy. Here he is lazing our in our pool on Sunday morning.
Sunday was the big Cass family reunion (and I mean..big). Always fun to catch up with old friends and family!
Monday..it was Freeport Beach for a picnic and afternoon in the sand, surf and....lots and lots and lots of freakin' algea. I'm still trying to get this stuff out of their hair!
Tuesday was Build-A-Bear where i purchased the most expensive stuffed animals I ever bought in my life. ("Excuse me. 50...what? uh...OK...uh, yeah..Visa."). I rationalized it all..see I figure we're saving money on actually traveling anywhere...so...
Tuesday night we FINALLY went for a Pedal Boat ride in Presque Isle Bay. We've tried to do this a few times, but it's always too windy or too hot or too cold. Tuesday was juuuussst right and we had a blast. On the way there, I was lamenting that I should go for a walk & get some exercise, but then...we got in the boat and realized...uh...pedaling through the bay IS exercise! It was fun...but it was a workout!
Then...we were off to the 8 Great Tuesdays concert at Liberty Park where we..once again..met up with our running friends (yes..our friends like to party..and run). Now you know why my kids refer to them as our "runnin' family" (cause we see them more than we do our own family).
Wednesday was Niagara Falls with my parents. At the recommendation of a friend, we went to the Butterfly Consevatory which was WAY cool. OMG...it was just unbelievably cool and worth every one of the $12 it cost to get in (kids were cheaper & kids 5 & under are free ...woohoo!). One word of caution though...if you're not a bug person and get a little freaked out by flying insects..this is not the place for you...they are buzzing all over...landing on you. You will be tempted to swat (which will get you some seriously glaring looks from the "conservation officers" there).
Then...we headed for the big falls where we did something I've never done before and rode on the Maid of the Mist to the base of the Canadian waterfalls. It was really cool...and...again..worth the $12 (I think it was $12) and kids ...again...5 & under are free. It was HOT standing in the sun baking in blue plastic, but...we were soon rewarded with some nice cold showers, courtesy of one of the 7 wonders of the world.
We ate at the Rainforest Cafe which is where we blew the most of our vacation wad -- $50 for my meal and one kids meal (oh...and two beers..hey...I run and did I mention that I was traveling with my parents...you'd happily shell out $10 for beers, too).
Today, I dropped the kids off at the sitter (no, I really did!) and I have the afternoon to myself. I was considering doing yardwork, but then...mother nature just opened the skies and said..no...I think you should go the mall, honey. So...I'm off to the mall...to pick up my new PC (yes...finally bit the bullet and ordered one!).
Tonight..it's party time...off to the Block Party with friends.
Not sure what tomorrow holds...but...hopefully, a nap (yeah...right...:-)
Anyone who says there's nothing to do in Erie ought to take a week off with me! :-)