View of the falls from the Maid of the Mist plaza.

We’re back from our Midwest driving tour, having celebrated with both families and made brief stop at Niagara Falls in between parties. We also appear to have recovered from the head cold we contracted in Niagara and passed between us for a couple of weeks. It was too tempting to walk to the falls at night, and the combination of travel fatigue and the cold wet night was just too much for us. Despite the rain and cold, we had a good time riding the Maid of the Mist (I love that boat), visiting Niagara-on-the-Lake (not really my thing), and hiking down a trail into the gorge from an access point near the Totem Pole park. After I got over my fear of slipping on the wet rocks and falling to my death in the whitewater—the terrified screams of the passengers on the jet boats passing us on their way to the whirlpool didn’t help—I enjoyed that hike a lot.

Now that we’re back at home, my plan for the rest of the summer and autumn consists of yard clearing, house repairs, clutter clearing, more house repairs, major fall cleaning, and some house beautifying in the form of paint. A lifelong process, I know, but I have big visions of what we’ll be able to accomplish over the next few months. And I’m going to get right on it just as soon as I finish my coffee.