Offered free trip anywhere, they pick Niagara Falls

From the Buffalo News:

Niagara Falls is a healing place for Sharon and David Gauthe.

The Louisiana couple volunteered nearly two years of their time, helping with relief and recovery efforts following Hurricane Katrina.

Now they’re on a different kind of R & R.

The Gauthes were offered an all-expenses paid vacation to anywhere in the world for much needed rest and recreation. They chose Niagara Falls.

Or perhaps Niagara Falls chose them.

While they were still deciding where to go, David Gauthe was clearing out a house that had been devastated by the hurricane.

The only object to survive was a souvenir plate of Niagara Falls.

â€ŔWe’re religious people,” Sharon Gauthe said. â€ŔWe took that as a sign.”

This is the first visit to Niagara Falls for the couple, who are in their late 50s and have been married 37 years. They have three children and 13 foster children.