Day 7 - Breaking Out the Green

I saw a vision of things to come for the day once the Gouldings in the green t-shirts travel through the hotel lobby. Heads swivel, people stare - and there's only six of us together. The other four were still upstairs.


Not only did we break out the green t-shirts, we also broke out the green backs. We went across the street to Denny's for breakfast. Who would have thunk a Grand Slam would be $14 anywhere?!?!? Build your own was $11. So we all proceeded to have the most expensive breakfast in our history - and it was just Denny's! We did find out that peameal, which is on many menus, is equivalent to cornmeal. Why anyone would want that on their bacon, making it more thick, is beyond me.

Breakfast at Denny's

It didn't take long for us to start the name calling - of ourselves. We had cucumbers, jalapenos, geikos, and Emily's contribution of big green boogers. I prefer to think of us as the green team.

This would be us coming down the street.

We headed to the Maiden of the Mist tour and although Lisa and I bought tickets online, we still had to wait in line to trade the paper in for plastic tags and lanyards. While we were in line, the rest of the group stood around the corner in the shade where Mark was asked questions from another tourist. People thought we worked there. Some lady asked Molly where the washroom was and looked at her funny when she said she thought it was 'over there'. Lisa and I finally got through the line so now we look like nerds with green shirts, lanyards and plastic tags. Just add pocket protectors.... We had 'timed' tickets so we assumed that would move us to the head of all those other people waiting in the next huge line, but nope - the buy-a-ticket and have-a-ticket people are together. I SO think this process could be much more efficient then what we are going through! Just a couple of changes, and they could make more money too.

Lisa getting the tags

In the cow shoot. Dave and Nikki forging ahead!

Frankie in his green GGLT shirt waiting in line with us.

We finally made it through the masses, got our blue ponchos and made it on to the boat. At least now we're like everyone else in blue. Horseshoe Falls, up close, is pretty awesome, but Lisa, Mark and I agree that the Grand Canyon is still the highest rated 'must see.'

Frankie and Mark

After the boat ride, we hopped a people-mover (aka bus) to go to the White Water Walk (WWW). Mom didn't want to do this one, so I told her she could just ride the bus around since it was air-conditioned. Only problem was reconnecting with her since there is more than one bus (arriving about every 20 minutes). Thought about just putting a tag on her saying to return to the Marriott Courtyard in case we couldn't find her. We rode the bus to the end of the route, got a new bus driver, who commented on the green shirts and were on our way to the WWW. This, too, was a pretty amazing sight. How anyone could survive the Class 6 rapids...

the girls

After the water, we went back to the bus, and got the same bus driver!

Frankie and the bus driver

By the super-sized Coke bottle

By the giant Hersheys kiss

At the world's largest Hershey bar

Awesome mirror at Planet Hollywood

We went to Planet Hollywood for a late lunch.While there, I had to ask if there was an ice shortage in Canada. I don't think that I've ever been served less ice anywhere. The waitress said there wasn't so I requested just a pitcher of ice that we all partook of. Mark went to the washroom and said he had to double-back to find the door and that all of us should go check the restroom out.

Awesome mirror in the boys washroom at Planet Hollywood

We didn't actually go into the boys washroom, Nikki just shoved open the door so I could snap a picture. 

We headed back to the hotel for an evening nap and so the girls could go to the pool to tan. Once reconvened, we headed back to the Falls for the 10:00 fireworks. In our wandering, I saw a sign saying 'Laughter has no foreign accent.' Cool saying. As we were walking, some man asked Molly if we were a swim team, volleyball team, or something. Molly said no, this is just my family.


The fireworks lasted one minute (seriously). Walking back, David, Molly, Luke and Nikki went to two haunted houses (one okay and one pretty good) and Mark, Emily, Abby and I went to the ferris wheel.  While in line, Mark talked to a couple from Israel with four small children who had been on vacation for six months. (The green t-shirt prompted the conversation.) They flew to Florida, bought an SUV and travel trailer (big one) and started driving across the country. Next week, they are selling the SUV and trailer and returning home. Said they had traveled 22,000 miles. Our 3,000 doesn't look quite so impressive next to that.


So the four of us get on the ferris wheel, and once locked in, I remember that I really, really, really, really HATE ferris wheels. This one is actually an enclosed gondola, but it makes no difference. Abby and Emily are switching seats and saying bad things like let's make it rock, and my right heel hurts. (My 'I'm terrified' signal that rarely happens). The worst part is the loading and unloading process where you dangle in the air at 150 feet - just a rockin'. Next time, someone needs to slap me if I even get within 100 ft of one!


So ends Day 7.