I'm Baaaacck!

I survived my trip to Southern Ontario. Here is the full report starting with Thursday evening.

Thursday

Kim and I went to see Star Wars Episode III: The Revenge of the Sith. Definitely much better than the last two and I'm looking forward to seeing it on DVD to catch some of the things I missed because it was a very fast paced and enjoyable movie. Yes, the dialogue was weak at times and there was the momentary flashes of tongue in cheek that drives me batty, but no where near as bad as Episode I or II.

<WARNING MINOR SPOILER ALERT> Some reviewers have complained about Anakin's turn to the dark side, saying they found it hard to believe. I think people are missing the larger picture. Palpatine and Anakin have been friends for a long time before this movie takes place, and Anakin looks up to him as a mentor. Additionally, his visions have proven true in the past so it is not a possibility of Padme dying he is confronted with but rather a certain fate. The opportunity to save his love based on the guidance of someone he trusts, combined with the actions that could be misconstrued by the Jedi council and Anakin's own desire to be powerful lead easily to him going down the route he chose.

I give it 4 out of 5 stars for entertainment value.

Friday

We pack up and leave Friday morning, getting through the traffic hell of Toronto in mid afternoon. We arrive in Niagara Falls in early evening and get our hotel room with no problem. We skip on over to the Skylon Tower and take in the view.

Saturday

We slept in and headed over to Marine Land for the day after a quick Denny's brunch. It was expensive to get into Marine Land and cost even more money inside for the chance to feed the orcas. That pissed us off. But it was a nice tie and the animals were amazing. The show we saw in the afternoon with the dolphins and seals and walruses was amusing but seemed awfully short.

Kim was zapped after the day in the sun so after dinner at the Outback Steakhouse we settled in for the night.

Sunday

Managing to get up earlier we went on down to the shore and took in the Maid of the Mist boat tour of the falls. Well worth it. The immensity of the falls cannot be appreciated until you are in the middle of the horseshoe. After that we met up with Kim's cousin and his wife and 11 month old child and took in a tour of the Clifton Hill tourist district. Quite amusing area even if everything is ridiculously priced.

After they had left Kim and I went for a walk down by the falls and then up to the Keg for a nice steak dinner (she had the steak, I had chicken and ribs). Fireworks at 10pm and then back to bed.

Monday

We check out and hit the road. Going through Toronto before lunch was easy this time, and we got home an hour faster than the trip down. Another anniversary trip on the books.