Day 11 | Cohocton to Niagara Falls
This morning we’re in Cohocton NY, in our Cohocton Valley Inn that we were lucky to stumble upon in the blizzard. It is cosy and only be seeing the snow flurry past the windows do you remember why we’re here. McKay and Jemmz have bounced out to play in the snow which is 100 mm built up and powdery when the gusts come through. There are small and large ploughs passing in the road the driveway is ankle deep on the gravel.
We decide to finish getting ready and walk to breakfast at the North End Café – recommended by the land-lady Kim and a menu in the room. Off we go on foot 800 m up to the junction where there are some shops but not the Café. The Gas station guy gave Angus complex instructions with lots of detail about it being a mile-and-a-half in the opposite direction. This is taken as a sign we should venture out with the van and try the roads out. It is still persistently snowing but the ploughs drop a grit that seems to reduce the build up but it’s coming quite fast. The rental came with a couple of delicate brush – scraper tools and here they have their use.
Packing in (we take up a lot of room in cold weather gear) we gingerly ease through the squeaking snow out into the road and it is a quick trip to North End Café – hash browns, French toast and Angus’ coffee. Taking this as a good sign – it is still snowing – we go and pack up the room and farewell Kim.
We go off on a winter wonderland across the mainly-clear roads, only where the wind has pulled the snow over the road. The farmland on this journey seems to be all cropped and stubble so the wind has free reign at ground level. Each of the little towns are cuter than the last. There are Christmas decorations on many of the houses to add to the cute.
Finally making it into Niagara Falls we get into the Giacomo and check in, retrieve the baggage and get the car away. The rooms are awesome and close to the falls. There is also a viewing level on the 19th floor to see over there and we check this out first. Then we venture out to see the falls in action and of course they are thundering away, especially majestic in the snow and at such close range.
After some more snow playing and a close encounter with a tubby squirrel we had lunch at the Hard Rock Café – there’s one everywhere. Still, after playing outside it is good to be sitting and in the warm.
Back to our hotel and we decide to visit the bar and have a drink in the gorgeously decorated room. Rosie asked for a Lemon, Lime and Bitters - the reply ‘I have no idea what that is’.
Later we checked out the Casino here on the US side – we’re right on the Canada border – to visit the Canadian coffee chain Tim Hortons.
Sitting in our room, prepping the blog and a surprise door-knock at 8pm when a complimentary cookie visit from the hotel arrived. Greatly appreciated and they’re warm.
Highlights:
Angus | Making it all the way to Niagara finally
Rosie | All the quaint homes on the drive in and the snow
Jemmz | Playing in the snow and seeing the Falls
McKay | Seeing the Giacomo and getting out of the cold.
O’Regan | Snow, throwing it, stomping it and revelling in it.
This is where we stayed in Cohocton, the place was lovely, so homely and warm. Kim took great care of us and I would totally recommend this place if you are ever out that way.
Click on the link below to check out their page.