A “Waterful” Time in Buffalo, NY (July 11-13, 2025)

July 12, Saturday

Well. I see it’s been two full years and change since I decided to blog our travels with the RoadHouse. In that time, Fleur has taken her final trip with us. Her arthritic hips are not able to support her getting in and out of the truck; nor can she climb the metal steps into the trailer. We got this model SPECIFICALLY to be able to move around inside it while at the same time accommodating a large dog. She traveled well with us but the one thing I suppressed was that age comes for us all. Because she stays close by my side when we’re at home, I really miss her like crazy when we’re apart!

We started by setting up camp in Darien Lakes State Park, in rural western New York State, not far from Buffalo. We had enough time to catch our breath before we headed out to see our niece, her wife, and their two adorable kids in Buffalo. The time just flew by! So fast, in fact, that I neglected to even take as much as ONE photo. I guess we will have to return!
On Saturday, we headed to Niagara Falls State Park to explore and see the American Falls. Neither Dan nor I had ever gone on the Maid of the Mist, and at $30.25, the price was fair, the day was hot and humid, and we were game to play tourist. Speaking of which, it was a Saturday, and there were a LOT of people at the Falls, but it wasn’t overwhelming. 

The Maid of the Mists. The electric boats on the American side of the Niagara River handed out BLUE plastic ponchos (we were grateful) and the Canadian tour boats used RED plastic ponchos. One boat went out on the American side every 15 minutes and they put hundreds of people through in such an organized fashion, so efficiently, that even Disney could take a lesson! We were both impressed!

Yes, we got wet, but did I mention it was a very hot day? 

Dan looked like he was having fun. We both were! 

The American Falls

 

The tourists from Wind Cave

Horseshoe Falls (the Canadian Falls) as seen from the point on Goat Island

SO. Much. Water.

The American Falls in the foreground, with the Canadian Horseshoe Falls in the background.

Nickola Tesla isn’t getting much reading done with that youngster on his book! Tesla is credited with electrifying Buffalo with alternating current, leading to it’s nickname: The City of Light.

Another vantage point from Goat Island.

Birds on a log in the raging Niagara River; I swear they look as if they were surfing, but the log was (temporarily at least) fixed in place.

Dan on a paved walkway on the Three Sisters Islands. We walked a lot—from the car to the Visitor’s Center, to the Maid of the Mists, to the bridge to Goat Island, around the perimeter of the island, over the First Street Bridge to town, then back to our car. Not sure on the mileage but it was a net win for calories burned to calories consumed!

View over the side of the First Street Bridge, connection Goat Island and Niagara Falls city.

Tesla as wall art in The Spot Bakery and Coffee Shop Cafe.

July 13, Sunday

We had a leisurely morning in camp on Sunday then after lunch headed back to Buffalo to see the Albright Knox Gallery and Shark Girl. I made one trip to Buffalo to recruit from several private schools and to attend a college fair when I was fresh out of college but still working for Admissions at Mount Union. I had some spare time one day so I explored the area. One of the places I visited was the Albright Knox Gallery and I have a vivid 1977 memory of a remarkable piece of art that changed as you walked by it, hung on the wall. I was hoping to see it again today, but, alas, it’s still going to be a memory! What we did see was the NEW! and IMPROVED! AKG—the enormous additions having been completed just two years ago. It’s architecturally stunning and wonderful to explore from the inside! Lots of room for lots of art. 

I was blown away by the collection. It’s really grown since the 70s—saw a really large Louise Nevelson, Warhol’s soup cans, an enormous Jackson Pollack spatter/splatter piece, Joan Miro, Gaugin, Picasso, Seurat, Rodin, Alberto Giacometti (“The Walking Man”), Jasper Johns, Rauschenberg, and many MANY more. I was blown away. And we got in via my Cleveland Museum of Art Ambassador Membership at no charge! WIN!

Paul Fägerskiöld, WHITE FLAG (2013)

Martin Wong, LIBERTY MOURNING THE DEATH OF HER SISTER—BEIJING (1989)

Transition area between original buildings

The bridge to the original buildings 

Shark Girl and me, Canalside, Buffalo. I can leave town now, happy.

Good night from Western New York!

Tomorrow we pack up early and head to Springfield, MA. Stay tuned….