Hiking the Niagara Gorge at Devil's Hole State Park

A friend and I decided today would be a good day to be adventurous and go hiking! I've been wanting to check out the scenery here, so we headed to Devil's Hole State Park to hike the Niagara Gorge.

There were steep stairs to climb down to get to the trail. The trail is a dirt path that runs on the edge of a precipice above the water. In some places the rocks have fallen and you have to climb over/around them to get back on the trail.

On one end, the trail stops at the Whirpool where you can put your feet in the ICE cold water and stare at Canada!

On the other end is Devil's Hole which is a cave. There have been many cave-ins as you can see by the boulders blocking the entrance. I imagine it was a much deeper cave at some point. We did climb in to check it out, and cool off! The day was very warm, but the cave was cool and breezy.

Easy Microwave Potato Salad

Perfect for a summer time cookout! This is quick and easy to prepare WITHOUT using your stove! Make it a couple of hours ahead so it can cool in the fridge.

5 medium thin skin potatoes (red, white, golden)
3 eggs
3 tbs sweet relish OR 10-15 dill pickle slices, diced
3-4tbs Mayo
1tbs seasoned salt
1tbs fresh or dried chives and green onions
Dash pepper

Rinse potatoes and poke holes in them. Arrange in circle and microwave 5min, flip over and check for tenderness. Microwave 3-4min more. Meanwhile spray microwave safe bowl with cooking spray and stir eggs in it. Microwave 2-3 min while potatoes are cooling. In serving bowl begin mixing remaining ingredients except mayo. Roughly dice potatoes and cooked eggs and add to bowl. Add mayo last and adjust amount for desired creaminess. You can add more s/p to taste. Cover and refrigerate!

Belated Easter 2019 Post

I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter with their families this year! Ours was a bit split up due to my work and our vacation.

The boys got to have some fun at our library and see the Easter bunny (Jacob was too scared).

They got their baskets on Easter morning at home, but we saved the egg hunt and big dinner for after our New Hampshire trip!

They both helped me color eggs, and Nick helped me with the food. We had glazed ham, deviled eggs, mashed potatoes and gravy, macaroni and cheese, and corn. Plus a delicious carrot cake for dessert!

It was rainy and muddy, so we improvised and hid the eggs inside. They loved it!

Spring Break Getaway in New Hampshire

This week Brad was out of school for late spring break, so I took some time off work and we drove to New Hampshire for our first big road trip in the Northeast! This was our first time going anywhere east past Rochester. We stayed at the Indian Head Resort in Lincoln, NH in the White Mountains.

Our room had a balcony with a view of the lake and mountains.

Thank God there was an indoor pool and hot tub, as well as an arcade room...

We were more than a little disappointed to find out when we got there that literally everything we wanted to do was closed. Evidently because it's in between ski season and summer, the area shuts down and nothing is available until almost June. No mountain tram, no off-road tours...even at the resort there were several things advertised that were not available.

Nonetheless we made the most if it and drove around to see the beautiful scenery and nearby towns. I'm sure it's a hopping place in the middle of summer...