Final stop - Niagara Falls

Bridge connecting Canada and USA.  Border is in the middle

American Falls in the foreground and Canadian Falls in the back.

Before going on the Maid of the Mist boat, we stopped at bridal falls which is a small piece

next the the American falls.  Was able to get right up to the water flow which is called Cave of the Winds.

From the parking lot, a short walk out to the elevator and down 200 feet to the river.

They load about 500 people int the boat, all wearing blue rain ponchos.

 Looking down before entering elevator 

Boat travels up into the falls area within about 200 feet of actual water impact.  Everyone 

gets a little wet but, on a hot day, it feels great.

Chicago

Next stop was Chicago.  Took a bus tour to get overview of the city.

Residential tower along Chicago river - 1st 15 floors for parking with living on upper floors

The "L" which is the public rail system

Water front on Lake Michigan at the Navy Pier.

Best hot dog place in the city

Omaha

As we head east, traveled hundreds of miles through corn fields and cattle ranches stopping in Omaha. Not many campgrounds, but plenty of casinos with most offering overnight camping.  How convenient.

Boys Town was real treat. Located just a few miles west of Omaha.  Place has a great self guided tour.  Makes you realize just how much good work was done by Fr. Flanagan.

And if Boys Town wasn't enough, visit Lauritzen Gardens located on a 100 acre site of natural woods and rolling terraces just west of the Missouri river.

Landmark representing influence of early railroads in developing area of Omaha.

Estes Park

North of Golden is the Rocky Mountain National Park and a really neat community called Estes Park - full of small shops, great restaurants and bars.

View of Rockies from campground

Coors Brewery

Leaving Colorado Springs, we headed North thru Denver to Golden - home of the Coors Brewery.

Main entrance

Colorado Springs

Moving across the state, we stopped in Colorado Springs to see Garden of the Gods national park

and drive Pikes Peak.

Garden of the Gods was, once again beautiful, but more of the same. Rock 

formations continue to awe.  We never tire of the views.

Pikes Peak did not disappoint.  Probably one the most intense drives we've ever taken.

Drive ( 19 miles long)  starts out very tame with slight grades and easy turns.  As you approach the

top, turns or switchbacks are 180 degrees with speed limit at 10 mph.  Roads are wide enough 

but have few guard rails which is somewhat unnerving.  By the time we reach the top, we both have tight cheeks and white knuckles.

Mesa Verde

After Moab, we moved southeast to Cortez, Colorado in order to take in Mesa Verde NP and the 4 corners national monument (AZ-UT-NM-CO).  The 4 corners monument was disappointing - lots of vendors from the indium tribes.

Vendors surround the monument area in covered areas

Monument is interesting as you can see where all 4 states meet.

Mesa Verde contains hundreds of locations where the Pueblo indians lived

in cliff dwellings.  Several pics below show ingenuity and buildings skills.