A Scenic Start in Niagara Falls
This year’s rally kicked off with sunshine and good intentions—though we nearly missed registration after chatting too long with neighbours! Thankfully, we made it to Jellystone Park in Niagara Falls under our own power. No tow truck needed. Progress!
Welcome to Jellystone Park
Clean, family-friendly, and full of nostalgic charm, Jellystone Park impressed us with its Yogi Bear-themed camp store and inviting amenities. The bounce pillow near the pool looked tempting! Just one tip: bring a water filter—the tap water had a strong city taste.
Thursday Night: Food & Familiar Faces
The rally began with a delicious dinner and warm reunions. It was great to see familiar faces and exciting to welcome many first-time attendees. Food and friendships are what keep us coming back year after year.
Campfire Vibes & Musical Nights
Wayne kept the campfire glowing all weekend, creating the perfect setting for stories and songs. Martin kicked things off with his banjo, inspiring others to join in. Here’s to more jam sessions next year!
Friday Adventures: Power, Parks & Bees
Highlights:
Niagara Power Station Museum: Designed by Nikola Tesla, this interactive museum was a highlight. The tunnel walk to the falls was stunning—just be ready to get wet!
Queenston Heights: A scenic picnic spot with mature trees, vibrant flower beds, and the historic Brock Monument.
St. Catharine’s Museum & Welland Canal Centre: A guided tour revealed the canal’s gravity-fed system. We even saw a ship enter Lock 3!
Honey Fields Apiary: Despite our bee fears, the demo was safe and fascinating. Tasting honey straight from the comb was a sweet surprise.
Saturday: Learning, Painting & Play
Highlights:
Seminars: Thank you to Niagara Trailers, AquaTek, and Kleen Tank for sharing new gear and maintenance tips.
Heartland Forest Presentation: We learned about Niagara’s rich ecosystems and at-risk species.
Beanbag Baseball & Cornhole: A rally tradition! I even played “Beanbag Boy” for a game.
Painting in the Park: A guided art session brought smiles all around.
Saturday Evening: Stories, Roast Beef & Raffles
Gail & Martin Aller-Stead shared their epic cross-Canada RV journey. Dinner was classic comfort food, followed by a lively raffle and 50/50 draw—raising $1,330 for Canadian Cancer Society. Sadly, no paddleboard wins for me or my dog Katie.
Sunday Farewell
A quick breakfast, a rally survey, and goodbyes wrapped up the weekend. We packed up and hit the road by 11 am, already dreaming of next year’s destination—Cape Breton, anyone?
Written by Dave & Debbie Blaser
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