Trip Journal

Niagara Falls is spectacular and we have more than just the falls on this tour. The Dodge Mansion in Detroit, Lucille Balls Museum and the Comedy Center in Jamestown NY plus, a trip through Indiana Amish country. So much to see- come back and check our photos.

September 6, 2026 Sunday

It is a beautiful travel day. Very little traffic, sunny in the low 80’s. Tonight we’ll stay at the Fairfield Inn in Battle Creek Michigan next to the Cracker Barrel.

 

September 7, 2026 Monday

It was a beautiful sunny day in the 70’s reaching the low 80’s by afternoon. This morning we started with a home tour of Meadowbrook Hall in Rochester Hills Michigan. The Dodge Car empire was very successful and profitable. John Dodge’s widow, Matilda built this 110 room mansion and today we had a chance to see it. This afternoon we crossed into Canada and checked into the Hyatt Hotel located on the bank of the Niagara Falls with a clear view of the falls from every hotel room. Tonight fireworks at 10:00 PM.

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Meadowbrook Hall

Meadowbrook Hall

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Meadowbrook Hall

Meadowbrook Hall

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Meadowbrook Hall

Meadowbrook Hall

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Meadowbrook Hall

Meadowbrook Hall

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Meadowbrook Hall

Meadowbrook Hall

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Meadowbrook Hall

Meadowbrook Hall

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Meadowbrook Hall

Meadowbrook Hall

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Meadowbrook Hall

Meadowbrook Hall

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Meadowbrook Hall

Meadowbrook Hall

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Meadowbrook Hall

Meadowbrook Hall

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Meadowbrook Hall

Meadowbrook Hall

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Meadowbrook Hall

Meadowbrook Hall

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Meadowbrook Hall

Meadowbrook Hall

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Meadowbrook Hall

Meadowbrook Hall

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Border Time

Border Time

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Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls

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Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls

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Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls

September 8, 2026 Tuesday

Another sunny day with great temperatures in the 70’s & 80’s. Perfect for a boat trip to the base of the falls. It was wet and enjoyable as witnessed by all the smiles. A change to dry out at the floral clock and then a group photo at the butterfly conservatory. Lunch was high atop the falls with spectacular views and a 360 view of the area in our revolving restaurant. The next stop was the Floral Showcase. Beautiful outdoor topiaries and the beginnings of the fall foliage displays inside the greenhouse. From three O’clock on, free time at the falls or a rest break at the hotel. Everyone had a complimentary ticket on the incline rail back to return the falls for the night.

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Niagara Falls Cruise

Niagara Falls Cruise

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Niagara Falls Cruise

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Niagara Falls Cruise

Niagara Falls Cruise

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Niagara Falls Cruise

Niagara Falls Cruise

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Niagara Falls Cruise

Niagara Falls Cruise

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Niagara Falls Cruise

Niagara Falls Cruise

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Niagara Falls Cruise

Niagara Falls Cruise

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Niagara Falls Cruise

Niagara Falls Cruise

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Niagara Falls Cruise

Niagara Falls Cruise

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Niagara Falls Cruise

Niagara Falls Cruise

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Niagara Falls Cruise

Niagara Falls Cruise

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Niagara Falls Cruise

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Niagara Falls Cruise

Niagara Falls Cruise

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Niagara Falls Cruise

Niagara Falls Cruise

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Niagara Falls Cruise

Niagara Falls Cruise

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Niagara Falls Cruise

Niagara Falls Cruise

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Niagara Falls Cruise

Niagara Falls Cruise

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Floral Clock

Floral Clock

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Floral Clock

Floral Clock

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Floral Clock

Floral Clock

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Floral Clock

Floral Clock

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Floral Clock

Floral Clock

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Floral Clock

Floral Clock

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Floral Clock

Floral Clock

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Floral Clock

Floral Clock

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Floral Clock

Floral Clock

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Floral Clock

Floral Clock

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Floral Clock

Floral Clock

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Floral Clock

Floral Clock

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Floral Clock

Floral Clock

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Floral Clock

Floral Clock

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Our Group

Our Group

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Butterfly Conservatory

Butterfly Conservatory

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Butterfly Conservatory

Butterfly Conservatory

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Butterfly Conservatory

Butterfly Conservatory

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Butterfly Conservatory

Butterfly Conservatory

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Butterfly Conservatory

Butterfly Conservatory

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Butterfly Conservatory

Butterfly Conservatory

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Skylon Tower Lunch

Skylon Tower Lunch

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Skylon Tower Lunch

Skylon Tower Lunch

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Skylon Tower Lunch

Skylon Tower Lunch

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Skylon Tower Lunch

Skylon Tower Lunch

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Skylon Tower Lunch

Skylon Tower Lunch

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Skylon Tower Lunch

Skylon Tower Lunch

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Skylon Tower Lunch

Skylon Tower Lunch

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Skylon Tower Lunch

Skylon Tower Lunch

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Skylon Tower Lunch

Skylon Tower Lunch

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Floral Showcase

Floral Showcase

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Floral Showcase

Floral Showcase

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Floral Showcase

Floral Showcase

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Floral Showcase

Floral Showcase

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Floral Showcase

Floral Showcase

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Floral Showcase

Floral Showcase

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Floral Showcase

Floral Showcase

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Floral Showcase

Floral Showcase

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Floral Showcase

Floral Showcase

September 9, 2026 Wednesday

A cloudy day with on and off again rain on the final drive to Cleveland. In Jamestown New York we had a great tour of both the Lucy Desi Museums. Props, sets, costumes and film clips before lunch at  Ricky’s Tropicana Club. After lunch we spent the afternoon at the National Comedy Center. All great fun before arriving at the Drury Inn.

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California Here We Come

California Here We Come

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Lucy Desi Museum

Lucy Desi Museum

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Lucy Desi Museum

Lucy Desi Museum

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Lucy Desi Museum

Lucy Desi Museum

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Lucy Desi Museum

Lucy Desi Museum

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Lucy Desi Museum

Lucy Desi Museum

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Lucy Desi Museum

Lucy Desi Museum

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Lucy Desi Museum

Lucy Desi Museum

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Lucy Desi Museum

Lucy Desi Museum

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Lucy Desi Museum

Lucy Desi Museum

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Lucy Desi Museum

Lucy Desi Museum

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Lucy Desi Museum

Lucy Desi Museum

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Lucy Desi Museum

Lucy Desi Museum

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Lucy Desi Museum

Lucy Desi Museum

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Lucy Desi Museum

Lucy Desi Museum

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Lucy Desi Museum California set

Lucy Desi Museum California set

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Lucy Desi Museum California set

Lucy Desi Museum California set

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Lucy Desi Museum New York Set

Lucy Desi Museum New York Set

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Lucy Desi Museum New York Set

Lucy Desi Museum New York Set

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Lucy Desi Museum New York Set

Lucy Desi Museum New York Set

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Lucy Desi Museum New York Set

Lucy Desi Museum New York Set

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Lucy Desi Museum New York Set

Lucy Desi Museum New York Set

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Lucy Desi Museum New York Set

Lucy Desi Museum New York Set

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Lucy Desi Museum New York Set

Lucy Desi Museum New York Set

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Lucy Desi Museum New York Set

Lucy Desi Museum New York Set

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National Comedy Center

National Comedy Center

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National Comedy Center

National Comedy Center

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National Comedy Center

National Comedy Center

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National Comedy Center

National Comedy Center

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National Comedy Center

National Comedy Center

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National Comedy Center

National Comedy Center

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National Comedy Center

National Comedy Center

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National Comedy Center

National Comedy Center

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National Comedy Center

National Comedy Center

September 10, 2026 Thursday

Indiana Amish Country is a great place to stop for a side tour. We had a very filling lunch buffet in Shipshewana with time for shopping. The fall decorations are excellent. We then went on a countryside tour learning about Amish and Mennonite culture and traditions. Two shops with demonstrations at a leather shop and a basket shop. Tonight free slot play and food at the luxurious Four Winds Casino in South Bend.

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Shipshewana Shops

Shipshewana Shops

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Shipshewana

Shipshewana

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Shipshewana

Shipshewana

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Shipshewana

Shipshewana

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Shipshewana

Shipshewana

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Shipshewana

Shipshewana

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Shipshewana

Shipshewana

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Shipshewana

Shipshewana

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Indiana Amish Countryside

Indiana Amish Countryside

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Shipshewana Leather Shop

Shipshewana Leather Shop

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Shipshewana Basket Shop

Shipshewana Basket Shop

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Shipshewana Basket Shop

Shipshewana Basket Shop

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Shipshewana Basket Shop

Shipshewana Basket Shop

September 11, 2026 Friday

Our last day is moving right along this morning. If the afternoon is this good we’ll be home right on time. We had lunch at the Golden Corral in Janesville and everything was delicious.

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