En Route

Driving from Boston to Iowa City we decided to veer north to see Niagara Falls and drive through Canada a bit. It was a mind scramble going from miles to kilometers (or as my dad tells me they're called, "klicks"). Suddenly we had so much further to go but somehow we were getting there so much faster. Anyway, years ago I stopped in Niagara coming back from Cleveland but only saw the US side which is incredibly shabby, campy and to be frank, a bit scary. The Canadian side is a whole different story. I felt uber prepared with my passport and a copy of both girls birth certificates. For whatever reason my mind was working super slow as the border police asked me routine questions.

Names of the children? That one was no problem.
Dates of birth? Uhmmmm, the little one was born in *think* *think* MARCH. She was a pi baby so that was the 14th of uh this year and the other one.... April 1st, no 2nd because I was induced on the 1st and she was late and that waaaaaaas 2008. Yeah, 2008.
Do you have a letter from the father giving you permission to travel here today? (don't ask me why, but this question irritated me a bit) WHY would I need that? We're happily married!
The police spoke slowly as he eyed me suspiciously with the next question: Is he aware you're taking the children out of the country today? Oh, yes! He is. I could call him if you like.

He let us in. It was beautiful! It was also incredibly busy near the falls so unfortunately much of our time was spent stuck in traffic. My Dad found a nice bench and hung out with Ireland while I took Liesel for a closer look.

She loved the mist coming off the water
Horseshoe Falls is my favorite and I loved showing them to her.
One advantage of going to the Canadian side is we were easily able to see the Scow barge stuck within sight of horseshoe falls. After we got to Iowa City my dad looked up the amazing story. It's apparently been there since 1918 and two men were rescued from it. I wonder when it will finally break free and go over the falls? What an incredible sight that would be! This is one destination we are definitely going to have to return to when Brent is able to come along. We'll do the Maid of the Mist.

Getting back into the US at Detroit I was no better with the border police.
Purpose for crossing the border today? I want to go home! Let me back in!
Clearly irritated, he tried me again: WHY were you in Canada? Oh! To see Niagara Falls and avoid toll roads.
Relationship? A little antagonistic... it's been a long day.
More irritated, he tried this one again: Your relationship to the occupants in your vehicle? Oh, that's my mother and these are my two children.
I rattled off their birthdays so I'd have a little more cred and was relieved when we he waved us back on home soil.