We ate at Donatello’s in Niagara Falls, New York.



A rather large white pizza (yes, there was lots of leftovers):


Jenn also wanted some wings (also lots of leftovers):


Attractions and other places we visit.
We ate at Donatello’s in Niagara Falls, New York.



A rather large white pizza (yes, there was lots of leftovers):


Jenn also wanted some wings (also lots of leftovers):


We visited Old Fort Niagara in Youngstown, New York. The fort started as a French base in 1678, then British in 1759, then later US. (Wikipedia article.)
An interactive map:
Visitor center:

Layout:

Exhibits:

Historic 1812 garrison flag:

Exploring the fort:






A talk and demonstration:








































Gift store:

Lighthouse:


We attended a game of the Toronto Blue Jays vs Philadelphia Phillies, playing at the Blue Jay’s ballpark, Rogers Centre, the only MLB team in Canada.
Jenn’s game summary:
Our first domed stadium. They can open the roof, but it was closed due to drizzle and maybe wildfire smoke. A lovely park with excellent food and a vibrant atmosphere. The Blue Jays came out for four runs in the 2nd and 3rd innings each to make total cream cheese of the Phillies, who only scraped together one run. Bassitt recorded his 1100th career strikeout, and Bo Bichette hit his 8th home run of the year. It was a fun game with a bit of local color—they sang a song called “OK Blue Jays” before “Take Me Out To the Ballgame,” and everyone knew the words and gestures, creating a great community vibe.
An interactive map of the ballpark environs:
This ballpark was a little more difficult to get to, as we had to cross an international border into Canada:

Toronto:

CN Tower:


Toronto Blue Jays:


Team store:

Mary Brown’s Chicken:

Poutine (of course) and chicken tenders:

Selfie from our seats in Section 119, Row 12, Seats 13 & 14:

Closed dome:

Ace, the Blue Jays mascot:

Cheerleaders:

Play ball:






Hotel rooms overlooking the field:

A run scores:

Two more runs:

The mascot “helping” the grounds crew:

Exploring the ballpark:









Chungchun rice hot dogs:

Gamsung hot dog covered in potato, and half mozzarella hot dog:

Cheerleader:

Blue Jays win:


Some viewpoints on the American side of Niagara Falls.
Niagara Falls State Park map:

American Falls:












Horseshoe Falls:







Maid of the Mist viewing tower:

View from the tower platform:



Maid of the Mist boat and access:



Nice!
We had a boat ride below Niagara Falls on Maid of the Mist, which goes up close to both the American and Horseshoe falls.
Boarding the boat via the floating loading platform:

A viewing platform tower, included as part of the package, which also serves as an elevator down to the boat:

A view of the Rainbow Bridge to Canada from the top deck of the boat:

The American Falls:




Cave of the Winds platforms:


Horseshoe Falls:











Canadian boat:


Back to the American Falls:


A super fun (and damp!) experience.
We visited Cave of the Winds in Niagara Falls, where one can walk below the American Falls.
























A fun experience.
We attended a game of the Cleveland Guardians vs the Los Angeles Angels, playing at the Guardians’ ballpark, Progressive Field.
Jenn’s game summary:
A fun game with some interesting scoring stuff I’d never seen before, including a single that was also an E7 and then an “OAD 3-6-5” with the batter thrown out at third. Also, a delayed HBP call on a final out, so guys were back in the dugout and had to get back out to continue. The Angels struck first with back-to-back homers in the third (just after the above wacky play). Mike Trout got a couple singles and an RBI double, but the Guardians got three homers of their own (José Ramirez, Steven Kwan, and Carlos Santana) with some other hits mixed in to eventually win it 7-5. The food was pretty terrible (dogs were both soggy & burnt?!) but really good nachos and ice cream saved the day.
An interactive map of the ballpark:
Progressive Field:


Long line for the team store:


Pretzel, gross hot dog, soda, and water:

More edible mozzarella sticks and tots:

Angels vs Guardians:

Cheerleader:

Seat selfie:

The view from our seats in Section 136, Row Y, Seats 1 & 2:

Play ball:







This guy a few seats down from us caught a foul ball:

Heritage park:




Bullpens:

Exploring the ballpark:















Nice nachos:


Home run:

Perry’s ice cream:

Churro sundae:

Play under review:


Scores:

Guardians win:

We had dinner at Mangia! Mangia!, self-described as “A Really Good Italian Restaurant”… and we have to admit, they weren’t lying.
The large parking lot was packed, but we managed to snag one of a couple empty spots. We were worried that they’d be too busy, but were seated straight away.
The menu:



Jenn’s veal parmigana & noodles:

My lasagna:

I also had a baked spud side:

Dessert menu:

We shared a cannoli:

Everything was delicious. We can see why it’s a popular place.
We visited Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in Michigan.
The visitor center:

Map and info:

Covered bridge on a scenic drive:

Picnic lunch:

View of dunes from an overlook:


Lake:

Scenic drive:

“Avoid getting stuck at the bottom! … Rescues cost $3000”:

Steep dune and Lake Michigan:





Blacksmith in a historic village:

Inn:

Canning building:

Dune climb:

We had breakfast at The Omelette Shoppe in Traverse City, Michigan.






Cinnamon roll:

Eggs Benedict and hash browns:

German omelette:

Also pancakes:

Tasty stuff.