Vosslings Adventure Part 2- Day 3

Day 3

Monday,   June 20, 2016     NIAGARA FALLS, CANADA

Today was our big day to visit Niagara Falls Canada. 18 years ago Josh and I honeymooned at Niagara Falls and revisited it again on our 15 year anniversary.  Josh and I thought it was the perfect time to bring the kids to such a beautiful place! There wasn't a large crowd at all for a Monday morning. We were pleasantly surprised. We found out that the local schools were still in session until next week. We walked from public parking to the check in at "Hornblower Boat Tour Under The Falls" formerly known as Maid of the Mist boat tours. The day wouldn't be complete without Chandler showing us the movie clip from Bruce Almighty's, Maid of the Mist scene starring Jim Carrey. We all loved the boat tour! We got soaked before 10 am... our job here is done! After the tour, we hiked over to Planet Hollywood where we had the everlasting lunch (insert eye roll here). We did lots of sight seeing and decided to head back to the Resort for the day. It was a great day!

The Voss Family at Niagara Falls, Canada

The Hornblower Boat Tour Under the Falls

The Hornblower Boat Tour famous poncho look

Niagara Falls

Bridge from Canada to US 

THE NO CANDY MAN

That is one heck of a Hershey's Bar @ The Hershey's Factory

Some Mini Golf at the Resort 

Williams AZ Circle Pines KOA

Williams Circle Pines KOA
Williams, AZ.
Happy Camper Rating  9/10

The Williams Circle Pines KOA in Williams, AZ. was a wonderful family orientated campground. We enjoyed many of the amenities. There were plenty of activities for the kids to do and we felt like they were safe and could enjoy independence while there. We swam in the indoor pool, played mini golf, ate at their outdoor restaurant called Bear Trax and played some of the arcade games. They also had a playground, pedal car track, tv room and laundry mat. At the end of this year they should be finished with their go cart track currently under construction. The campground is shaped like a huge circle. I enjoyed walking the grounds in the evening to get some exercise. Our camp neighbors were very nice and had a young boy about the same age as our little ones. Each camp had a fire pit and picnic table on site. It was beautiful to sit outside in the evening and see everyone enjoying their camp fires and enjoy each others company. The large trees helped shade the camp and gave the environment a cozy feel. Circle Pines trucks in their own water so we had to be very water conscious but that was easy to work with. We all really enjoyed this camp and would recommend it to those traveling to the Grand Canyon.

Main Building

Kids Mining play area

Bear Trax Restaurant

Original Playground

Indoor Pool

New Playground

Mini Golf

Our Camp

Toothless Charlie enjoying Bear Trax Hot Wings

Rocky Mountain RV Park

Rocky Mountain RV Park
Gardiner, Montana
Happy Camper Rating 8.5/10


We stayed at the Rocky Mountain RV Park in Gardiner, Montana during our visit to Yellowstone National Park. The town had plenty to do. You could walk downtown easily for groceries, dining, shopping or to partake in the beautiful views. The RV Park itself had mini golf, small gift shop, dog yard and small cabins. They have showers, laundry and social bonfire in the evening. Each spot is provided a nice picnic table. Everyone at the park was friendly and the staff seemed to live there or within the vicinity. The views from the park were amazing.  At night the campers were out with their binoculars looking off into the mountains. I can only assume they were wanting to see the animals come out at dusk to hunt. The weather is confusing, 34 degrees in the morning and 70 degrees during the day. Dressing in layers is key. I would stay there again, the location was enjoyable for all of us.

Rocky Mountain RV Park

 Entrance to Park

Part of Down Town

 Mini Golf

Emergency Phone (what's that) hehe

Morning visitors 

Day 8 Relax and enjoy the view

Day 8

Relax and enjoy the view

Today we took the day to relax and play catch up. I needed to take stock on groceries and clean up for tomorrows relocation. We all took our sweet time starting the day. At noon I announced that I was walking into town. Carmen, Colin and Charlie joined me. As we crossed the bridge from the RV Park we saw a group of tourists shove off on a raft and head down river. They all looked up at us and we waved until they went under the bridge. Rafting seemed like a fun thing to experience together but it was the "thought" that counts. My last water experience didn't end in my favor. 

I had my eye on a Gift and Sweet shop on the main road I was wanting to check out. We opened the doors to souvenir paradise. Colin picked the card game "GO FISH"....what?!.... yep, he wanted a card game and a shirt (see photo). Charlie picked out a toy. Carmen has been collecting magnets along the way. Chandler has yet to choose a single thing. I'm sure he's buttering us up for something good. Josh and I have picked out pins for every landmark or tour we have taken and clipped them to my camera strap. I have been collecting some amazing embroidered patches from certain places we have gone so far. I found the perfect Yellowstone postcard for our next Random Postcard Recipient! 

WATCH YOUR MAIL!!!

Josh and Chandler caught up with us just in time for lunch. We walked up and down the main strip in search of a decent menu. We chose Rosie's Bistro. The food was great, I would go there again. We all chose a little variety but mostly different choices of chicken. I think we are all tired of beef. (I might just be tired of cooking it) But we got to watch toothless Charlie eat ribs again. On the upside, his pallet is changing, makes for a happy momma. After we finished eating, we ran over to the local grocery store and got our needed groceries while Josh took the littles to wash the car. I don't necessarily like having the bigs with me, I always end up overspending. When we returned to camp Carmen and Chandler rode bikes into town to check things out and Josh and I took Colin and Charlie Mini Golfing. 

I wanted to make Pepperoni Pizza Bread for dinner on the BBQ, but just as I started to prep, we got hit with a sudden HAIL storm. Up here in the mountains when it rains it hails. Thankfully our microwave is also a convection oven, so I just had to rethink how to cook it. The hail continued on and off for the rest of the night. Josh wasn't feeling very good so he turned in early. He told the kids if they got us totally ready to leave by 7am there would be a little fun money for them. By totally ready to go, I mean, bikes loaded, packed, dressed, car hitched, dump, water, electrical.... done. We ran into a few snags, but they did prove they have been paying attention. I was impressed.

Colin and Charlie walking into town with me

The view standing on the bridge in town. 

Our RV park is in the upper left corner where you can see the small log cabins. 

Rafters heading Down Stream

Cowboys Grill, Yummy

Mini Golfing with the Family

Colin's Souvenir 

"Let's Play Swallow The Leader" 

Yellowstone 

Adios South Dakota

6/13/15

Day 6

"We have to wake up really early, like 4 a.m. We have a long drive tomorrow and we need to get to Montana early tomorrow!" -Dad 6/12/15

"EVERYBODY GET YOUR BUTTS UP! WE ARE SO LATE!" -Dad 8:00 a.m. 6/13/15

Like I mentioned in my first post, we Voss' tend to not leave on time. We all bustled around trying to clean up our beds and get on the road as fast as possible. Thirty minutes, called it record time for a family of six to all get ready, I really helped with this- by not getting ready until we were on the road. Let's just say I am now a pro at getting ready in a moving vehicle. May I remind you we were driving through the mountains, so I was falling all over the place trying to get ready. We were driving for hours and hours with beautiful scenery, but with nothing to do but stare at each other, which after spending the previous five days doing everything together isn't as pleasant as one may think, especially in such a confined area. Wyoming was gorgeous; there were beautiful hills and the Rocky Mountains in the distance. When we crossed to boarder into Montana, my dad saw the sign for The Battle of Little Bighorn battlefield. We made a quick stop and got to see a bit of the battlefield, as well as the graves of many soldiers, wives, civilians, and children that died in there and in other wars. There were about 4,950 graves with 50 more reserved for still living veterans. It was a very touching memorial. We ended up making it to the Rocky Mountain RV Park on time and after setting up the RV, us kids went mini golfing while Mom and Dad got dinner ready (but mainly Mom). The people at this camp are very friendly, which has made this place enjoyable so far.

-Carmen