Tuesday, October 8, 2013

My Travels

We also visited the rapids called the White Water Walk and on the American side of the falls visited the Cave of the Winds.


Monday, October 7, 2013

Bears vs Minnasota

A few weekends ago Darren got Bears tickets off of Ebay so we headed up to Chicago for the weekend.  The tickets were nearly as good as my first Bears game but we did have a great time despite the drizzly weather

Team introductions.


 The skies did brighten up for part of the game.


 View from our seats.  They were about 20 rows up in the upper deck on the goal line.  Relatively good view from where we were sitting.


 Selfie for kicks. 


 On a last minute drive the Bears won 31-30!! Great ending!


Friday, October 4, 2013

Endeavour

Since it was sold cold our last day in LA we decided to instead go to the California Science Center to check out the Endeavor.  We got there a bit early and the museum is right next to the LA Memorial Coliseum where they held the Olympics, where the LA Raiders used to play and where the USC Trojans currently play.

 

The wheels from Endeavor.


The view from Endeavor from the entrance from its temporary home until the new space center is built.


The underbelly of the space shuttle with the heat resistant tiles. Apparently the ties are very fragile and will basically shatter when touched.


The backside of Endeavor


The space shuttle was much smaller than I anticipated.  Also I figured we'd get to see inside of it but apparently there are no plans for that.

Thursday, October 3, 2013

Maid of the Mist

I think one of the most must do's at Niagara Falls is to take a trip on the Maid of the Mist. Up close and personal to the roaring waterfalls.


Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Reagan Presidential Library

Darren and I are both suckers for Presidential history.  While in California we decided to go out to Simi Valley and check out Reagan's Presidential Library.  If we hadn't decide to go to the Dodgers game later that night, I would have stuck around and tried some of the local wine but we didn't think about it when planning our day.

The front of the library is very unassuming


And a casual Reagan greats you at the front door.


 Inside Ronald and Nancy are nice enough to stand posing for pictures.


Inside there is a replica of the Oval Office when Reagan was president down to the photos that sat behind his desk.


The most famous item in the library is the 737 that served as Air Force One for Reagan.  This plane was retired after his presidency and a 747 was put into place.  We got to walk through it but unfortunately you couldn't take pictures within it.

  
   

The room that held the plane had the most amazing view of the valley.


Other modes of transportation were there including this limo that served as Reagan's presidential limo during his time in office.



 The view from the terrace outside of the 737.


A portrait of Reagan made from Jelly Belly jelly beans.


The museum also featured a touring Abe Lincoln exhibit.  This is one of only three stove pipe top hats of Lincoln's that are known to exist.


A lifelike bust.


On the way towards the car we walked around their own rose garden.


And paid our respects at Reagan's final resting place.


Tuesday, October 1, 2013

Niagara Falls

Darren's first trip to Niagara Falls.  We had to see all the sites including going behind the falls and the fireworks at the falls.