Appalachian Youth Camp 2009

Last week, I went to AYC for my eighth year as a camper ! It was a really fun week; complete with tug of war [our team won twice....a first for me ;0)], softball, volleyball, Bro. Cravens preaching, and much, much more!

The Bereans!

New York, New York!

Niagara Falls 2009

This morning, we arose with the chickens. Then, with sleepy eyes and tired minds, we started out on the road to New York! We were headed for Niagara Falls, to be exact.

Horseshoe Falls

Rainbow Bridge, Bridal Veil Falls (Luna Falls) and American Falls

A cool look back upriver toward Horseshoe Falls, and also the Maid of the Mist, complete with a slight glimpse of the hurricane deck below the falls!

Upriver from the American Falls

The American Falls

Then we left the falls and went downriver to see if we could find the Whirlpool Park that was on the American side. We did find it and despite the rain, had a lot of fun exploring and taking pictures.

This is one of the Whirpool Jet Boats that come upriver from Lewiston, through 15 ft. rapids to the whirlpool and don't forget the 360's along the way! Looks like a TON of fun to me!

A look upriver from the Whirlpool at some awesome rapids and the Whirlpool Bridge.

We did learn from our day at Niagara Falls that there aren't any decent fast food restaurants anywhere near the falls. And....Tim Horton's is more like a glorified Starbucks than Wendy's! Haha! But in a pinch, they will help to stave off starvation.

Have I told you lately that I love you?

Have you ever known someone who was perfect to the very core? Well, I happen to know a couple of people who are just that and more!

So, just in case anyone was wondering, I have the best parents in the world! Not only are they my parents, but they're most importantly, my best friends!

Thanks, Dad and Mom! I LOVE you a ton plus some!

DerShmeegal's Day

Today was another wonderful day of vacationizing! Yesterday, Dad flew us to DuBois (about a 2 hours drive away) in close to 20 minutes! We had supper at the little restaurant there for a nice cheap price and then flew back home. The spaghetti wasn't too bad either, but the extra, extra crispy Bloomin' Onion was the best! YUM! I love vacation. Then today, we took the boat to Kinzua Dam and met Lyle and Louanne Langdon there.

After a wonderful ride down the lake, we stopped at a perfect little island and ate our picnic lunch.

Despite the bags getting away, it was a wonderful picnic, complete with a small bit of wading in the warmest of the cold water!

When all was said and done, everyone had a wonderful time and....I had a new name: DerShmeegal!!

Firework Spectacular!

Well, this weekend was a very fun weekend. Thursday night we (Grandpa R., Dad, Mom and I) went to Cranberry to watch the fireworks that were being put off behind the mall. We had a perfect spot and they were a very nice beginning to our weekend of fireworks. They were put off in a typical, small town way.... BOOM, period of time, BOOM, period of time, BOOM...etc. You definitely get to enjoy each and every one! :-)

The next night, July 3, my parents and I went down to Oil City and watched the fireworks from our favorite spot, on the railroad tracks by the river! These fireworks were put off a little faster and they also lasted much longer. For around here, they are by far the best fireworks! I also have a new favorite firework, as demonstrated at the Oil City fireworks: The big Firebomb!!!

Then on Saturday, the 4th, we went to the Grove City outlets. After a bit of browsing from one store to another, and Dad being SUPER patient, we left for Pittsburgh. That night the fireworks blew all the other 4th of July shows away! I love fireworks! Here's a video of the finale in Pittsburgh!

As Grace would say, "Not too shabby!" :-)