Canada Summer 2015: NIAGARA FALLS

Niagara Falls

We went to Niagara Falls because I had never been there. It is said that millions of people, scientists, entertainers, political leaders, movie stars, and honeymooners from around the globe, come to visit Niagara Falls to have their picture taken with this famous backdrop. Now two retirees from Arkansas were doing the same. 

Wednesday, July 29, 2015 (day 43)
 
We were in Ontario, Canada and what I noticed as we approached the outskirts of Niagara Falls was the large number of wineries located near the city limits. 
Many consecutive exit signs posted 5 or so different establishments that you could choose from. We were on a different mission but made a note for the future.

The water front at Niagara Falls, Ontario

Horseshoe Falls

Three waterfalls, Horseshoe, American, and Bridal Veil, straddle the international border  between Canada and the United States. The Horseshoe Falls lie mostly on the Canadian side. The American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls lie entirely on the American side.  

American Falls on the right, Bridal Veil on the left

American and Bridal Veil from a distance

The Falls are renowned both for their beauty and as a valuable source of hydroelectric power. I expected an awesome site in that we would be viewing them from the Canadian side. That was an understatement. I can actually say I was overwhelmed with my first sighting.  

Did you know that during the summer, 34 million gallons of water flows over the falls every minute? That’s enough to fill 1 million bath tubs every minute.

The only other time I have been at a loss for words was my first view from the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. This experience caused the same reaction. I had no words to describe my impressions. Daisy will tell you that all I said was Wow! See if you agree.

 

We took a city bus from the KOA campground where we had also purchased our Falls entry tickets.

City Transport

We arrived there at the right time of day with the right amount of wind and light conditions to witness a tourist delight of a rainbow over the falls.

Here you can see the Rainbow Bridge, American, and Horseshoe Falls.

Horseshoe Falls cauldron.

The first person to ride a barrel over the falls on purpose was a widowed school teacher, in 1901. It is reported that she sent her cat first to check out the security of the device in which she would plunge over the Falls. She and her cat both suffered only minor injuries. Despite her advice, 14 people have intentionally gone over the falls in or on a device. Some have survived unharmed, but others have drowned or been severely injured. Survivors of such stunts face charges and stiff fines, as it is illegal, on both sides of the border, to attempt to go over the Falls. However, as a means of honoring the history of stunting at the falls, a stunting professional will be allowed once every 20 years.

After an unintentional boating accident in 1960, a 7-year-old wearing just a swimsuit was swept over the falls and survived.

The Canadian-based Hornblower at the beginning of the Rainbow

This is the US Maid of the Mist at the end of the Rainbow near the base of Horseshoe Falls.

Niagara River

The Niagara River connects Lake Erie with Lake Ontario. On that journey the water drops 326 feet and half of that is at the falls. Its maximum speed is 30 mph. The river has strong currents, big waves, large boulders, and holes that can suck boats in and hold them. The green color comes from the dissolved salts and rock dust from the 60 tons of erosion shale and sandstone bed that flows over the falls every minute.

River Walk

Rainbow Bridge is a symbol of friendship connecting Canada and the United States along a border that has been peaceful over 200 years.

Rainbow Bridge from the middle of the Niagara River

Our first evening there we had dinner at the Elements restaurant overlooking the falls.

What a backdrop for dinner!

Margarita Plunge on the left, Blood Orange Margarita on the right

Canadian Lobster Ravioli with a sun-dried tomato cream sauce, asparagus spears, Asiago and coriander sprouts

Rainbow trout and pickerel

Peach Curd Tartlet

After dining, Daisy and I enjoyed watching the sun go down and the moon come up. We had come prepared to stay during the evening and watch the rainbow colored lights reflect off the falls. We were not disappointed.

Looking over a bend back to the Ontario city of Niagara Falls

21 xenon lights 30 inches in diameter are used each night to light all Falls in a rainbow of colors. Each spot light produces more than 390 million peak candlepower.

Moon poking through clouds over Horseshoe Falls as darkness descends

Nothing like listening to a talking rainbow!






We took the bus back to the campground after a visually inspiring evening. For the next day, we had planned several adventures that would involve us being on the water and by its side.




Thursday, July 30 (day 44)

We planned three events for our last day in Niagara Falls: a chartered boat ride to the misty base of the falls, a journey into the tunnels behind Horseshoe Falls, and a hike along the white water river trail.

The Hornblower

On our way to the Falls in the background. Yes, pink ponchos!

Tour charters coming and going. Notice the large piles of rubble at the base of the American Falls.

Tourists from the US Maid of the Mist in blue ponchos were hiking up to the American Falls.

Destination: the inner basin of Horseshoe Falls

US side of Horseshoe Falls

On the Niagara River approaching the base of Horseshoe Falls

Canadian side of Horseshoe Falls. Notice the viewing station near the base. We will be there later.

Daisy and I ventured to this same spot on the river the next day.

Now I know why we wore the ponchos. It was exciting and wet.

Daisy and I were dry before going to walk the tunnels behind Horseshoe Falls.

Daisy and I walked 1/3 of the width of Horseshoe Falls to a portal behind the falls. From the tunnels behind the falls, we could see, feel, and hear the thunder of the falls.

Yellow ponchos this time

Horseshoe Falls viewing station

Horseshoe Falls viewing station at the base of the falls.

A tunnel we used

A tunnel that was closed

A portal behind the falls

The roar of the falls vibrated thru every bone in my body. A waist-high iron railing and flowing water deterred us from wanting to get too close to the opening.

When we were topside once again, we took the White Water Walk downstream along the Niagara River to complete our day at the falls. 

The river gorge narrows here.

1,000 foot boardwalk

Severe rapids: 9-18 foot standing waves

Our day started early and we were hungry and thirsty as we took the bus to the downtown area. Our first stop was a brewery known for its craft beers and eating specialties.

We sampled the brews of course.

Selected for our taste

Our snack food of choice was a Niagara Charcuturie Board: prosciutto, soppressatta, capicola, cured sausage, raw and pickled vegetables, with toasted crostini and a white bean spread.

We then took a walk around this portion of the tourist trap ...

Yes, a downtown Ferris wheel

Amusements everywhere

and found a side-street Asian eatery for our meal of the day.

Beef and peppers

Chicken and veggies

It had been a long day, full of new adventures for us, and we were pleased as we returned to the campground. Yet we were ready to get back on the open road.

Our home this trip.

Close to the showers

We had a great time...as we always do.

Our life is under the rainbow's blessing.