wine tasting in niagara on the lake | canada

When I lived in Japan, I got asked frequently, "What are your hobbies?" My students asked me, and my colleagues asked me, and eventually - even my fellow English-speaking friends started to ask me because when you hear a phrase or question that sounds strange at first often enough, it becomes normal, and you, too, adopt it into your jargon. I always stammered and paused. I could have produced a quicker answer if asked my thoughts on metaphysics, and that's pretty nuts since I absolutely couldn't begin to tell you what metaphysics even is (my best guess: being terribly self-aware of one's existence as a block of matter).

Looking back now, I struggled to answer because I'm not sure I really had any developed hobbies. I had interests and likes but none that I'd explored so in-depth as to really give it the high praise of a hobby. I think what makes a hobby a real hobby is your investment of time and energy in becoming good at it - learning as much as possible not because you need the information to pass a test or do well at your job but because you can't get enough of it and you love learning about it.

Now, several years later, I have occasional moments when a silly little part of me wants to go back to Japan for the sole purpose of being totally and completely prepared to answer that question. And since you're dying to know... my hobbies include hiking, blogging, researching and planning international trips, writing, photography, baking, eating carbs, following gymnastics, and wine. Any of you who read my blog (and thank you for that!) could have told me that list, but it was some kind of bizarre self-realization when I realized that I have hobbies - real hobbies!

I took my wine hobby to the next level when Zander and I visited Niagara on the Lake, a beautiful town situated about 25 minutes outside of Niagara Falls, Canada. Almost 30 wineries dot the periphery of Niagara on the Lake, ranging from behemoth producers whose wines can be found all over the country to boutiques where I felt right at home. On our day trip to the town, we managed to visit six wineries - an incredible feat that left me guzzling water for the next several days.

I've done a lot of wine tasting and learning in Virginia wine country, but it wasn't until I stretched my wings a little and tasted another region's specialties that I got enough perspective to see all the knowledge I've acquired along the way. I tasted with confidence in Niagara on the Lake, picking out floral and fruit and savory notes that I didn't know I'd come to recognize. I had preconceptions stripped away: I'd come to think of Reisling and Gewürztraminer wines as traditionally sweet, but when those grapes are grown in cooler climates, where they do exceedingly well, they produce some incredibly varied, complex, dry wines that are really delicious. At Strewn Winery, we indulged in an entire tasting of these two varietals, moving from off-dry to bone dry.

I've never developed a taste for Port, the sweet dessert wine, so I anticipated disliking Ice Wine, another style of dessert wine made from grapes frozen on the vine and a specialty of the Niagara region. I found, instead, that I like it very much, in small sips. We tasted a sparkling ice wine at Inniskillin Wines, the go-to Niagara winery for ice wine, and even the gigantic $120 price tag couldn't keep us from buying a bottle to keep for a special occasion. 

Konzelmann Winery & Estate, situated on the banks of the lake, reminded me of a large Bavarian cottage. Zander said I might be crazy so clearly architecture is not a hobby of mine. The winery offered more than a stunning view and questionable architectural influences - it introduced me to Baco Noir, a red hybrid grape (hybrid of French & North American grapes) that, again, does well in cooler climates like Niagara and Oregon. It's a traditionally medium-bodied, approachable wine. Zander went nuts over it and bought several bottles. 

At Reif Estate Winery, we tasted a fruity, dry $10 Vidal that left us wanting more, so we bought 2 bottles to take home. Wines like that Vidal, that Zan and I drank just the other night while casually watching a TV show at midnight on a Friday, are part of the reason why I love wine so much - it doesn't need to be pretentious or over the top - a $10 bottle of wine can be just as enjoyable and perfect for an occasion as a pricey, full-bodied one can. 

My favorite of the Niagara on the Lake wineries we visited, Marynissen Estates is a small, unassuming boutique with pedigree you wouldn't expect - winning prestigious awards for Reislings, Chardonnay's, and Grape Grower of the Year multiple times over. Marynissen has the oldest planting of Cabernet Sauvignon in Canada. The maturity of the grapes is evident in the body of the wines - particularly their Syrah and Cab Sauv blends. We left with bottles from damn near their entire flight of tasting wines, and they were kind enough to offer us vintage reserves to taste, as well.

The final winery - which was actually our first stop - was Trius Winery, where we enjoyed a brunch with wine pairing that I still can't get out of my head, it was that delicious. Since our visit to Trius, I've been scouring the Virginia wine events list for a similar offering for brunch, lunch, or dinner. Those kinds of pairings are expensive but absolutely worth it.

So now that I've talked for oh so long about one of mine, tell me, what are your hobbies?

trius winery's market brunch | niagara on the lake, ca

I grew up on fried bologna sandwiches, and Zander grew up on soft shell crabs. I'm overjoyed every time I tweak my recipe and taste my homemade red sauce, and Zander feels the same way as a first course is set before him at a new restaurant from an esteemed chef. When it comes to food, he and I come from different worlds. We're both "foodies" in our own right - he's more adventurous than me and loves anything straight from the sea, and I appreciate classics and southern comforts upped to the next level with fresh, local ingredients. We got the best of both words - well-known favorites with a twist and cultured offerings - with an added bonus of exquisite preparation - at the renowned Trius Winery brunch.

Niagara on the Lake is a short 20-30 minute drive from Niagara Falls, Canada. It's a gorgeous old town with a main street lined with boutiques and gathering places. From the town center it's an easy walk to the lake, where baby blue water stretches into the horizon. I wandered into a boutique clothing store and left with two dresses. I get more compliments on those dresses than just about anything else I own. It's a nice reminder to shop local and not to solely rely on my staple of J Crew.

I read a few places before our trip to Niagara Falls that Niagara on the Lake has been voted Canada's most beautiful town. It attracts retirees with enough money to buy old houses and keep them functioning like new. It's also known for its wineries. With more than 30 within and on the periphery of the town, it's one of Canada's premiere wine destinations.

When I started mapping out a wine-tasting route for Zan and me, I stumbled upon Trius Winery's farmer's market brunch. Not the wine tasting. The brunch. Everywhere I looked, I saw reviews and comments and blog posts and articles about the quality of this spectacular brunch with a wine pairing. Zan took one look at the prix fixe menu, with several options available for each of the three courses, and just like that, we had a reservation.

We were seated outside on a covered patio overlooking a fountain and endless rows of grape vines. Our server greeted us warmly and poured us welcome, complimentary glasses of Trius's sparkling rose. We could have ended the experience right there, and I would have left happy. I've never had a drier, crisper, more refreshing sparkling wine - and a rose at that! I left with two bottles and wish I had purchased even more.

As we, okay I, gushed over the wine, a food runner set a basket of homemade breads and red wine-infused butter in front of us. She quickly but calmly and thoroughly explained each of the varieties of bread and the butter. Her explanations were one of my favorite parts of the experience.

For our first course, Zander chose salmon and crab rillette served with Niagara cherries and house made Focaccia bread. It was paired with a late harvest Vidal wine. I chose the crisp romaine hearts with smoked bacon with a creamy parmesan dressin wrapped in prosciutto and served over lentil du puy with a hen's egg. I was served an off-dry Gewurztraminer with the salad. Can I just say that I'm writing this at 10:15pm, and I'm salivating thinking of this salad. It is, hands down, one of the most delectable courses - and by far the best salad - I have ever had in my life. A later blog post will be my attempt to recreate it.

Our second and main courses blew us away, as well. Zander opted for the Bradford Bay capon with fresh Ontario mozzarella served alongside an Ontario mushroom and sweet pea quiche with smoked bacon and apple and raisin dressing. I'd never tried capon, and I thoroughly enjoyed it - it was light but filling, tender, and tasted like the end of summer. His dish paired perfectly with a Sauvignon Blanc. Knowing that we'd be wine tasting after all the wine we were already drinking, I went for the heartiest option - a ribeye burger slider and Icewine pulled pork slider, both with maple peameal bacon, blue haze cheese, and spring cabbage slaw. It came with hand cut truffle fries and house ketchup, and those fries were gone faster than it took me to type this sentence. They are that incredible. Trius's medium-bodied, dry Cabernet Sauvignon complemented the rich red meat perfectly.

For dessert, I went with a homemade ice cream bar served with local fruits and a Reisling Icewine. I have never developed a taste for Port or other dessert wines... but I enjoyed the Icewine. The bitterness of the dark chocolate cut through some of the sweetness of the wine. It was delicious and indulgent. Zander devoured a peach and caramel laced dessert paired with a Cabernot Sauvignon Icewine. I found the Cab Sauv Icewine infinitely sweeter than the Reisling variety.

After brunch, we strolled stuffed to the gills into the tasting room to try the wines we hadn't already. The winery is one of the larger ones in the area, with multiple buildings, an ample tasting room, and vines that extend for ages.

The Chef at Trius Winery knows what he's doing. He has created a brunch with local flavor, stylized touches, and food so versatile it'll make a couple who comes from different food worlds wonder if maybe they didn't, after all. 

 if you go...

trius winery

farmer's market brunch menu (changes seasonally)

cost: $50/$75 with wine pairing

how to visit niagara falls like a local | canada

Niagara Fall is the honeymoon capital of the world and one of the top international tourist destinations. In fact, in 2011, Travel and Leisure ranked Niagara Falls #5 on a list of the world's most visited destinations. There's no escaping the verdict: Niagara Falls is touristy. But that's not necessarily a bad thing. It's one of the world's most visited destinations because it's a magnificent natural feat - three waterfalls with over 150,000 gallons of water cascading over the cliff edge every single second. It's a marvel and worthy of a visit, even though that means battling the crowds to see it. That all said, there are ways to visit Niagara Falls and feel more like a local and less like you're lost in a sea of tourists.

Exchange money... and do it at a local bank 

Almost everywhere in Niagara Falls will accept US dollars, but most places will charge extra for doing so. I call it a "US tax." The exchange rate is nearly 1:1 (the dollar was very slightly stronger when we visited), but exchanging money will save you.

When you exchange your money, do it at a local bank instead of The Money Exchange or booths you might see in tourist-centric areas. Many of the local banks will charge a small fee of $5 with no additional commission. We exchanged money at CIBC and were not charged a fee at all.

Additional tip: try to exchange as much money as you think you'll need. Many banks will charge fees for using a credit card internationally (with the exception of some travel rewards cards designed for international use).

Eat at quality, local restaurants

Niagara Falls is overrun with chain and buffet restaurants with glaring neon signs and banners so big they practically smack you as you walk by. Pass those places by and head to a local restaurant. It might take some research, but finding solid, good, local food in Niagara Falls is possible. A few restaurants that I suggest:

Syndicate Brewery & Restaurant: Syndicate offers customers two choices for food - a bar menu and a three-course prix fixe. The prix-fixe is a downright cheap $22. Options like certain cuts of steak and seafood may tack on a few extra dollars. All of the food is locally sourced, organically grown, and the meat is hormone-free. This meal left Zan's and my stomachs and wallets full and happy.

Napoli Ristorante: This finer-dining Italian restaurant offers up homemade bread with warm olive oil to start, a wine list that boasts some local flavor, and a few memorable dishes. We particularly enjoyed the starter salads - Zander chose a roasted beet, while I had arugula with thin pear slices.

KouTouki Greek Cuisine: Our service started out spotty, but once we had the attention of a server, the meal proceeded flawlessly. This Greek restaurant uses fresh ingredients, fairly authentic recipes (I say fairly because there was lettuce in the Greek salad!), and a nice large selection. Our favorite dish: dolmadakia appetizer (grape leaves).

Sleep local 

Big-name, high-rise hotels line the major tourist strip. Granted, they offer incredible views of the Falls themselves, but you pay in price and your sanity staying in them. Experience the Falls like a local by staying at a boutique hotel, an AirBnB rental, vacation rental by owner, a friend in town, a friend of a friend in town, or a local hotel off the main strip.

Zander and I used AirBnB for the first time, and we loved our experience. For $100/night ($50/person!) on a major holiday weekend, we had an entire guesthouse to ourselves, were able to bring my dog Theodore without a problem, and our host made us a homemade breakfast every morning. Staying in her neighborhood about 1.5 miles from the Falls, we had the opportunity to see what life is like for locals of the town. We watched junior high school students play a baseball game, took nightly walks in the quiet, peaceful area, and enjoyed having a place to call our own for a few days.

Hike to see the sights instead of taking expensive tours

Some of the attractions in Niagara Falls are worth the cost - in particular, the Maid of the Mist is a can't-miss tour. Other attractions and tours quickly add up, and you can see many of the sights for free by waking or hiking to them (if possible). My favorite experience of our entire trip was hiking to the Niagara River Whirlpool from the Niagara Glen Nature Reserve. You can read more about that experience here. At the Falls themselves, while you'll never be able to get out of the crowds entirely, consider walking the length of the sidewalk - it offers unique, different views, and many people congregate in the center, most accessible viewing areas.

Get out 

Taking a day trip from Niagara Falls to Niagara on the Lake (20 minutes) or Toronto (1.5 hours) is a great way to experience local culture outside of the main attraction. Zander and I spent a full day in Niagara on the Lake, a quaint town that has been voted Canada's most attractive. I can see why, with its old-fashioned town center brimming over with boutique shops, old homes, and gorgeous lakeside views. Within and on the periphery of the town are 30+ wineries, the major draw of the area. Zander and I visited six wineries enjoyed our experience getting to know the winemakers, tasting grapes unique to the region, and bringing home enough wine to nearly fill a cellar (okay, not quite, but a lot!). Our favorite wineries are below (another post on this to come).

Trius Winery -- from a bone dry, sparkling rose to an approachable reisling ice wine, Trius's wines were among our favorites. But what really won us over is Trius's incredible brunch with wine pairings. It's one of the best meals I've ever eaten in my life.

Konzelmann - I liked that Konzelmann is smaller than Trius but still has a robust flight of wines. We enjoyed their dry red blends, especially "Canada Red." The staff are incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about the wines.

Marynissen Estates Winery - Our favorite of the six we experienced, Marynissen is a small, boutique winery that has built a name for itself with hard work and wonderful wines. They specialize in Cabernet  Sauvignon (the oldest of those grapes in Canada), Syrah, and Merlot. I loved the small operation, the homey feel of the tasting room, and how inviting and welcoming the staff are. I wish we were closer to make repeat visits.

hike to the niagara river whirlpool | niagara falls, ca

Not all hikes are created equal. Some have been too long or too strenuous when I haven't had enough sleep (looking at you, White Oak Canyon!), and others just aren't that much fun. I've been trying in the past year or so to figure out exactly what separates an okay hike from a good hike from a spectacular one, to me. I've tried picking hikes for beautiful scenery (Overall Run Falls), distance, and difficulty, but none of those characteristics alone made me fall head over heels for a trail. When Zander and I took Theo to hike to the Niagara River Whirlpool in Niagara Glen Nature Reserve in Niagara Falls, Canada last weekend, I figured it out: the more technical a hike is, the more I enjoy it (by the way, could I say Niagara one more time?). This was my dream hike.

By technical, I mean that a hike includes tricky footholds, rock climbing, bouldering, ledges, narrow crevices, etc. On these hikes, my mind and body work in tandem, and as I duck under fallen trees, lift myself up on craggy peaks, and crawl through rock passageways, I think no human could ever make a playground that's nearly as exciting.

The hike starts near the visitor's center of the Niagara Glen Nature Reserve. Don't bother asking inside for guidance - even the trail maps will cost you! That was our only reminder the entire afternoon that we were near a major tourist attraction. Facing the visitor's center, walk to your left down into the grassy picnic area and near the Niagara Gorge overlook. One-hundred yards or so to the left there is a color-coded trail map. The Whirlpool Path, as its dubbed, isn't noted on the map or on the trails, but you'll follow the blue trail to reach the unmarked path. The hike feels more remote and untouched without distinctive trail markers. Take the metal stairs 100 feet or so down until you reach the base of the cliff. Theo is terrified of metal stairs (I think because he can see through them). He was shaking, but the little dude was a brave trooper and made it down without us carrying him. 

Follow the blue trail through moss, fern, rocky terrain, and a heavily wooded trail until you reach the edge of the river. Without trail markings, we though we came across the Whirlpool twice before we actually did. This is one of those times when, "You'll know when you know," is accurate. You can't miss the real deal. At several points, we wandered down the rock and dirt trail to the edge of the water and splashed ourselves and each other. We couldn't help but be excited that we had our feet and hands in water that came straight from the Falls (or was headed to the Falls?? which direction?!).

^^yep, i'm rocking a canada, eh?! hat and a canada fanny pack. gotta embrace the cheesy tourist in yourself sometimes!

The Whirlpool Path is a 5km trail, almost exactly. We knew we'd arrived when the trail that had been steep at points and incredibly rocky flattened out (be prepared to use your hands, as well as your feet!). We stepped out onto a huge expanse of giant, flat rock where names of lovers had been inscribed over the years. Reeds and wild growth sprouted in the shallow annals of water in the deep cracks in the rocks, and it felt more like a scene out of swampland in Florida than Niagara Falls. That is, until we stepped to the rock's edge and looked out over to America, directly across the Niagara River, and the vast, swirling whirlpool. It's one of those times in hiking where the destination is just as good, if not better, than the journey. We shared some water and snacks, and enjoyed the view, the sunshine, the quiet, and the joy of having found a place so spectacular that for a few moments, it was all ours. We had so much fun rock climbing up to higher points on tiny ledges to get better views. There is a whirlpool jet boat tour that costs something like $50/person that sped past us and into the rapids time and again. We talked about riding it, but we got the view for free. It felt good to work for it.

We got sage advice from a couple that hiked past us at the Whirlpool lookout, "Follow the distinctive trail to the wooden stairs. From there, you'll exit onto the main road and can walk the path back to your car, but be careful, the remainder of the trail is slippery." We thought we had reached the pinnacle of the hike at the Whirlpool and expected a short walk through the woods to the stairs. In honesty, I thought it was almost a hiking cop-out to take the stairs and the sidewalk back to the car. 

I. was. wrong. 

The best part of the hike is after the Whirlpool. After a short but gotta-catch-your-breath ascent, we came to a very slippery rock climbing area. We had to use our arms to lift us up through an especially narrow path through two giant boulders. We shimmied under a ledge that felt like a rock cave, and then we emerged to a 90 degree rock wall with a slow waterfall trickling down. We took turns basking in the coolness and freshness of the waterfall. I wanted to dance in it and jump in it and run around in it, but the rocks are so slippery it was all I could do to stay still in it. We saw two, two! snakes - little slippery guys that slithered right away when they heard us, and I still freaked out but stared at them in awe, because I'm fascinated by and terrified of those creatures. 

After the rock waterfall, the trail becomes forested and wooded again. Theo led the way entirely with his nose. He guided us through the moss-covered stone and tree-lined trail to new, steep, angling, wooden stairs, to a sidewalk that runs parallel to the main road in Niagara Glen Nature Reserve. We followed it back around to the car. We rummaged for towels in the trunk and wiped mud off our faces, hands, and Theo's paws. It didn't make a dent - our clothes were mud-stained and soaking wet. It was, hands down, one of my favorite and one of the most technical hikes, I've ever done.

if you go...

niagara glen nature reserve hikes

even on a holiday weekend (labor day), there were no crowds on the trails

cost: free to park, free to hike

distance: 3.2-3.5 miles

time: 1.5-3 hours

difficulty: 3.5/5 - technical, steep in parts, rocky (wear good hiking boots)

scenery: 5 (whirlpool, forest, niagara river, rock waterfall, beach on the river)

a lesson in listening on maid of the mist

As you're herded down an elevator and through a tunnel where you pause while a staff member snaps a quick shot of you and yours against a green screen and before you exit into the open air again and race to join the winding, cramped lined for your Maid of the Mist boat ride into Niagara Falls, you're handed a rain poncho and someone yells, "Don't put on the poncho until you're on the boat!" Nobody listens because nobody really hears the instructions because everyone's eyes are feasting on the next boat pulling up and unloading and then boarding so many people you wonder how it doesn't sink from the weight of the people and their anticipation. There's always that one person, though, that tunes into the instruction shouted in the wind, and Zander was that man. I counted three people, total, in the line of masses that had listened and heeded the warning. I hadn't. I unfolded my bright blue poncho the second the worker handed it to me, and I fiddled with it until I found the holes for my head and my arms, and within two minutes in that line, I was sweating and it was so humid under there, so I took it off and held it in my arms, and by the time I put it back on when I was supposed to, it was torn in three places - how did that happen? And so I got soaked, through and through - my clothes, my hair - the mist dripped off my chin and down my dress. And I was giddy the whole time because we were a sea of blue ponchos in a sea of mist and so close to the Falls the rushing water rang through my ears long after our boat docked again. Maid of the Mist was an attraction that exceeded the hype, and I can still feel my fingers weaving through the cloud of mist and the shiver that ran through me when Horsehoe Falls drowned out our collective noise and all was silent and just water and rocks and waterfall, and I loved every bit of those 20 minutes. Just make sure to put on your poncho once you're on the boat.

if you go...

maid of the mist operates on the Canadian & US sides

cost: $19.95 canada; $15.50 us

get tickets and board the boat at the bottom of clifton hill (canada) & prospect point (us)

tip: security will not let you dawdle to get on the next boat for better seats. if the top is full, you'll still have a great view - choose the center of the front for the most mist & best views of both falls

 

travel tuesday | niagara falls, canadian side

While I was in Niagara Falls this weekend, I got multiple texts and social media comments with the same sentiment: "I'd love to see the Falls, even though it's cheesy!" Honestly, that thought never crossed my mind when Zan and I decided to go a few months ago. I must have missed a memo that the Falls are for amateurs or something, because I was un-ironically stoked to see one of the most famous natural wonders in North America and the world. I wasn't disappointed! The town of Niagara Falls has a lot of tourist traps, and whether you view the Falls from the Canadian or US side, you'll be swatting off people like flies, but Niagara Falls is worth seeing, without caveats.

Niagara Falls is a beast! 

Niagara Falls is made up of three waterfalls: Horsehoe Falls, The American Falls, and Bridal Veil Falls. Horseshoe is on the Canadian side, and the other two are on the US side of things. All three pound down into Niagara River, which drains Lake Erie into Lake Ontario. Niagara Falls has the highest flow rate of any waterfall in the world, and the Horseshoe is the most powerful waterfall in all of North America, which is astounding and so, so cool. I absolutely believed it when I could feel the mist from way above the Falls. The biggest drop is 165 feet. I have no idea how to contextualize this fact, but over 6 million cubic feet of water rushes over the cliffs every minute (150,000 gallons per second)! 

When Zander and I first laid eyes on the Falls, we shared a first reaction: that the power is mighty and gripping and feels bigger than life. 

The view of Niagara Falls is better from the Canadian side...... it's also way tackier 

While the US side technically has more territory of the Falls, the Canadian side offers a better view of them. From the Canadian side, you can clearly see the American Falls and the Horseshoe Falls. On the US side, you can really only see the Horsehoe Falls because the American Falls is right under you. The Canadian side has these great expansive views of the entire gorge that seems to spread out for ages. That view is worth crossing the border. 

Unexpectedly, the Canadian side is tackier than the US side. Niagara Falls park on the US side is just that -a park. While we stood under a giant, neon-red Casino sign, high rises galore, and more hotels and souvenir shops than we could count, we looked across to the American side, where all we could see was green. Sure, there are high rises in the distance, but the immediate Falls overlooks seem to be far more natural.

The water at Niagara Falls is more than aesthetic

What surprised me most about Niagara Falls is how beautiful the water itself is. Looking down from the overlook areas on the Canadian side, the emerald water rolls in thick waves with white crests amongst a permanent, billowing cloud of mist. It's spectacularly beautiful. I'd want to swim and lounge in that water for days, if I wouldn't probably perish from the sheer force. 

The Falls are so forceful that they are a significant hydroelectric power source. While it must be tough for towns and cities around the Falls to negotiate catering to tourists and protecting the sanctity of the water, it's amazing to think that the stunning scenery isn't just for our aesthetic consumption but keeps the lights on, too. 

Niagara Falls is romantic 
 
I learned an important lesson about traveling in my late-20s with my significant other this weekend: every trip will prompt an increased number of hints and nudges and winks about getting engaged. I always figured that when I met someone, it'd go with the territory that he'd be in for a heck of a lot more airline and gas miles than he might have expected. Thankfully, I found someone that embraces it, and we've traveled an incredible amount this year. That said, Niagara is the world Honeymoon capitol and just about as romantic as a giant tourist destination can get; I can see how eyebrows started to rise when we skipped town for a long weekend and headed into the mist.

The Falls are lit at night. The water tumbles over the cliffs in shades of red, purple, green, yellow, and the rest of the rainbow, and it makes you want to snuggle close to someone special. Or, in our case, run away from that person trying to be the first to find and take the best night shot. Seeing something that's one-of-a-kind and so rare in nature makes me feel warm and fuzzy and fills me with awe. Sharing those feelings with someone - that's what romance is all about.

top 5 | niagara falls, ontario, canada

I skipped town for a long, glorious, four-day weekend and crossed the border to the land of hockey, free healthcare, poutine, ice wine, and Robin Sparkles - Canada! Zander and I stayed in the town of Niagara Falls, used AirBnB for the first time, took a billion pictures of the Falls themselves, got soaked on the Maid of the Mist, drank and bought enough wine for an army with a drinking problem, and had a helluva good time. I thought I'd start the barrage of posts about our trip that will surely end up in this space with a new feature - the top five experiences from our trip.

Thanks, labor movement for Monday's Labor Day holiday! (Or, since I was in Canada - Labour Day!)

Seeing Niagara Falls, duhh! 

My "near death selfie" was my most popular picture on Instagram and Facebook all weekend..... and I'm confused at that because molars, ew! I think you can even see a filling back there. But I go with it!

What can I say that hasn't been said about Niagara Falls? The sheer power of the Falls is awe-inspiring. I was transfixed by the color of the water - it's a brilliant emerald with white wake and deep blues and light greens interspersed throughout. When I looked straight down, it made me think that this is what Earth probably looks like from space. It's that spectacularly beautiful and unlike anything I've ever seen.

Zander and I had so much fun at the Falls our first night (and the other times we saw them). We were silly with each other and in our photos and playfully competitive about who was taking the best shots. Okay, I use "playfully" lightly - it was nearly a to-the-death battle.

Hiking at Niagara Glen Nature Reserve 

Niagara Falls is a cheesy tourist town. There are chain restaurants everywhere you look, buffets everywhere you turn (is there anything worse?), souvenir shops are a dime a dozen, and seeing the Falls is a lesson in patience and anger management. You can't hiccup without stepping on a baby, was my experience. But if you want to experience Niagara like a local, there are so many ways to do so. Hiking at the beautiful Niagara Glen Nature Reserve got us away from the crazy, overpriced, crowded areas and on an unmarked trail that led us to the Whirlpool - a swirling vortex of water that mixes dead center between Canada and the US. We bouldered, tossed water that had just come from the Falls on our sweaty faces, and let Theo lead the way with his nose. It was, simply put, the best.

Niagara on the Lake (photo courtesy of Zan!)

I have so much to say about Niagara on the Lake, a small town that sits about 25 minutes from Niagara Falls in the Ontario region. The town has been voted the most beautiful in Canada and the one with the best wines. There are 30 wineries around the periphery and even within the town. We had one of the best meals of our lives at Trius Winery. It started off with a complimentary glass of bone dry sparkling rose, and I almost married it and that winery on the spot. And that was before the truffle fries with homemade ketchup. 

Playing tourist 

I loved being a tourist in Niagara Falls. I loved it so much that when we stumbled across a small souvenir shop near our AirBnB apartment with a close-out sale, I bought a "Canada, Eh!" hat and a Canada fanny pack without thinking twice. I bought them so fast I wondered if I was even really being ironic. And of course, I bought Theo a whole line of Canadian-themed bandanas. When Zander and I discovered Clifton Hill, the tourist destination in Niagara Falls, we embraced it, too. We played laser tag (I won!), raced through a laser maze (Zan won), bought fudge-covered rice krispie treats, and almost - almost - rode the Ferris Wheel. When in Niagara....! (I kept the fanny pack. Oh, please.)

Traveling with Zan 

Zan and I had some pretty intense ups and downs in Mexico, and I'm not just talking about our cases of Montezuma's Revenge. It was our first international trip together, and while we had a blast, we had some kinks to work out. This time around, we did a much better job of compromising. So much so that it rarely ever felt like there were compromises to be made. We were on the same page. At one point, delirious from exhaustion after a 15 hour day and probably as many miles on our feet, I nearly cried with how happy I was to be with this guy. I have a man and a dog who are up for just about any adventure I throw at them, and that feels better being lucky or winning the lottery or other romantical cliches - it feels like I found my match.

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