FIFTY YEARS IN CANADA

[moorsy]

Just a footnote to the Great Lakes Freighters.

On the night of the 10 november,1975,  the S.S. Edmond Fitzgerald left Superior, Wisconsin with a load of iron ore heading for Cleveland, Ohio. She was caught in a very bad storm and tried to run to Whitefish Bay for shelter.
She never made it and was lost with all hands( 29 )  Its still not exactly known what happened as no Maydays were sent.

There are lots of acticles on You Tube about the sinking.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6DUFPNILvM

[moorsy]

Heading over the Garden City Skyway take the Niagara-on the Lake exit and it will bring you to Hwy #55, which is Niagara Stone Road. which has about a dozen Winerys along it.

But before you get to them,just as you turn onto the road,on the right hand side there is a bar. I believe its called Club 55 now,years ago it was the Rainbow when the Garden City Race Track was across the road.  Then it became the Private Eye, a raunchy and rough strip-joint,among other things.  Famous for Bouncing Betty,the 320 lbs pole dancer, and the midget wrestlers,not to forget the Velcro Wall. .    Coming back from Buffalo after watching a N.H.L. Game we would always stop in.

[moorsy]

We,re in Niagara Country now, Tourism,History,and Vineyards.

As you go down Niagara Stone Rd. take your pick of tasting rooms at the Wineries, my favorites were Jackson-triggs,Pellers, and on the lakefront, Konzalmans.

The road will take you straight into Niagara-on -the-Lake,where you can spend hours wandering about.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8sTMbYAqSY

[moorsy]

This is a Tourist Board Video of the area.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lyj-5wuQB5U

[moorsy]

I always liked going to the Falls from this direction, instead of just driving straight there by the Q.E.W.

Doing the stops in Niagara-on-the-lake in the morning, along the Parkway in the afternoon and into Niagara Falls for the evening to catch the Light Show.  Enough things to keep you busy all day.  You can picnic and b.b.q. in lots of spots,and the winerys tours are free. Most other attractions cost money and it can get expensive if you do them all.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FrinIjH0U5M

[moorsy]

This is some good video of the river above the Falls.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3I6MBROTDYA

[moorsy]

Although the Falls always endured, the city of Niagara Falls did,nt. In the 80s things got pretty bad,industry was leaving,and tourists were not staying overnight at the small mom and pop motels. The whole place had a tired look about it.

The city council decided to build a Casino, one had been built in Windsor to bring in tourist money from detroit, The new Casino was built near the Rainbow Bridge to New York State and immediatly drew in the crowds. New Hotels were build and Clifton Hill got a makeover.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzElCnJV174

[moorsy]

Cant remember when the new bigger Casino was opened but its a landmark now overlooking the Falls.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6cG6h9ZXgsU

[moorsy]

The opposite side of the river between Niagara Falls N.Y. and Buffalo N.Y. was at one time filled with industrial plants and chemical plants. In 1978 the crap hit the fan.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kjobz14i8kM

[scotland]

Hi folks Greetings from Scotland from a daughter of Belfast

Congratulations Jackiehillis and Urneygirl  you ladies show what I have always thought we are a force to be reckoned with LOL

 Manitoba  I would have been 13 when you left  just love your quote

Moorsy reading your posts reminds me of a book I just can't wait for the next chapter.

Ladies and gents I have just come across  these posts ,however I wish you all good health and happiness for Christmas and the new year Cheers Mandy ☺☺

[moorsy]

Best wishes to you at Christmas Mandy.

I just post about the places that I,m most familiar with as I have moved about Canada over the years and hope that someone can enjoy or relate to them.
I remember when my old man first saw the Falls, he had thought they where in the countryside somewhere, not with a city around them.

[moorsy]

Before we leave this corner of Ontario there are a couple of spots left to visit.

Friday 13th Bikers day at Port Dover.   Checked it out when it fell in July one year and it was an Zoo. You could,nt get in anywhere to eat or have a drink for the long lines.  Later on we drove on down hwy 24 towards Long Point and stopped at the Circus Ring Diner,which is licensed. corner of #10.road.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D0vyJCA4yD8

[moorsy]

This is a great bird and butterfly watching spot.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LAGtaLpoNb8

[moorsy]

Time to leave the Golden Horseshoe and head back to Toronto for one last stop before going north.

Woodbine Racetrack was another place that survived because of a Casino opening there.It is now the only horse racing track in Toronto and is getting bigger each year at Rexdale. Big money races ,good food and bars.We still fly down every June for the Queens Plate weekend.

https://woodbine.com/queensplate/queensplate-racing-festival

[moorsy]

Heading up the #400 hwy past Barrie to Orillia will take you to the Rama Casino,which is on land owned by the Chippewa Tribe. Opened in July 1996 it drew in people from all over the greater Toronto area. First big expansion was in 2001 with a hotel and 5000 seat venue opening on July 18 starring Faith Hill preforming for a invitation only crowd of V.I.P.s and high rollers. She was paid $1,000,000 for a 50 minute show,singing 15 songs,and introduced by Ringo Starr who happened to be in the crowd ( dont know how much Ringo got ) Supposedly the casino recouped their money that night at the tables.Another expansion took place in 2013.

https://www.youtube.com/user/CasinoRamaResort