Washington

We arrived at Washington at lunch time, so we had the afternoon free to explore the Smithsonian Museums.
We chose to visit the National Air & Space Museum - fabulous!

The next day we had the city tour and saw "the sights" -

After lunch we visited the Art Museum, then the Museum of Natural History -

The Hope Diamond

Lancaster

After leaving Niagara Falls, we crossed back into USA and headed to Lancaster (Amish Country)
We had dinner at a local Amish Restaurant, where we were joined by an Amish Family, who talked about their life as Amish.
The next morning we had a tour of a typical Amish house,

before going on to the shop of the Amish Family that had joined us for dinner the previous night.
This family raises miniature horses wish they show around the country -

One of the miniature horses

The "Family Cars"                                                           Washing on the line - only seen in Amish Country!

Niagara Falls - the Canadian side.

What can I say?!!
These falls are magnificent!
Before lunch, Phil & I did the "Behind the Falls" tour. Here you can go into tunnels that run behind the Horseshoe Falls, as well as next to -

We then sat & had our lunch, right by the edge of the falls -

After lunch, we did the "Maid of the Mist" cruise - this was a blast - yes, you get wet, but it is so much fun!

We had dinner at the restaurant right by the falls, then were taken up to the building where the lights are that illuminate the falls. Here we were allowed to program what colours we wanted the falls to be (and have a certificate to say that we did!!!)

Toronto

After our morning city tour, we went on a harbour cruise - what a great way to see the city skyline!

People doing the Skywalk on the Tower!

For dinner that evening, we went to the CN Tower (yes, I went up to the revolving restaurant in the tower!)

The views were magnificent (and the food was pretty good too!)

Me, at dinner in the CN Tower!

The tower lit up at night.

Ottawa

Our next stop was Ottawa. We arrived mid morning, had our city tour and then was able to have the afternoon free to explore.
Ottawa has a canal running through the city (which freezes over in the winter, and becomes a skating area, which people can use to get to work!),

and a lovely garden setting -

We visited the Canadian War Memorial, where we met with a Canadian Mounty -

For lunch, we were dropped off at Byward Market - and had our first "Beaver Tail" -

The next morning we were taken out to Gatineau National Park where the autumn leaves were making their appearance (finally!!) -

We then headed off to Toronto.

For Everyone -

We are on our last night in USA (we are currently in New York)
We start the long slog home tomorrow!
When I get home to Darwin, I will finish off the blog - not many hotels on the east side have free internet, and if they do, it is in a small, noisy area & I don't like to do my updates there.
Also, a lot of the time, we were so busy (& tired), we just didn't get a chance!)

Just for Julian

Hi Julian!
When Grandma & Grandpa were in Boston, we went for a walk in the public gardens and found these -

Grandma and Grandpa found a postcard of the ducks, which we have sent to you!

Grandma also had her photo taken with the ducks -

Now ask Mummy and Daddy to look for a book called - "Make way for ducklings"

Love Grandma and Grandpa
xxxx