I always wanted to see what the fuss was about with Niagara Falls. Well we got a outstanding day to see them. The feature photo is us under the observation Tower where you can see the American Falls and Horseshoe Falls. Had no Idea there was 2 of them, but there is. Staci just shakes her head at me sometimes on my knowledge of some stuff and total lack in other areas. So I will take you on the journey with the following photos in the post. Niagara Falls really is a must see, once in your lifetime place.
This shot is from the Trolley we were riding. We had to park way out on Goat Island because we took the big, heavy, and long 5th wheel with us. Important note, Do not do this. The roads on the island are narrow and I think we were at the weight limit on the bridges. You can walk 15 minutes, but the trolley pulled up as we getting info from a booth on the falls. You can get off and on from all the stops, so off we went. Note- get the Trolley pass.
We get off the Trolley in front of the Maid of the Mist tour and the Lady standing there said there was no waiting. This is where we could have pre-planned and I am telling you your options right Now. As you can see we are wearing rain slickers/large trash bags. You are going to get wet, No way around it. Wet I say and depending on where you are on the boat possibly soaked. Like you need to change clothes wet. So They have this deal where you can see 5 tours for 45.00. Take it. Now the safety, important part, stay dry part. Go see the Movie, Discovery Center, and other stuff 1st. While you are DRY. Staci says True on this adventure discovery. Of course we paid no heed to any of this and walked right up and bought a ticket to the maid of the mist 1st. Less than 5 minutes off the trolley we are on our way down the 20 story elevator to the Boats. This photo is of us just before boarding the boat. Apparently the weekend before the wait was 2 1/2 hours for this.
This is the American Falls. Notice all the huge rocks at the base of the falls. Some are as big as the Boat. Hard to imagine why falling 172 feet onto them, no one has survived. Nottttt! Can absolutely see why this is a bad idea from the boat ride. Unless you have done this before you have no idea how much wind and mist there is going to be coming off the base of the falls.
Staci sporting the prevalent look of the boat attire, This was as the Maid of the Mist boat turned and there was a slight lull in the wind and mist. Why no other photos. Did you not hear, incredible Wind, Mist and getting soaked part. It was blowing people off the railing to the Deck. This is why you have to go back to the top of the falls and the observation decks for a photo. To see where the boat actually took you. As Staci says this is a experience the moment type event. I agree, get rid of the camera and live in the moment
The Observation Deck lets you see both falls from the American Side. Actually the only thing we might have done as well was go to the Canadian Side and see the falls from a different angle. She stated that was where we were with 4 Great lakes water touching us with their mist while on the Boat ride. Now that I think of it. The Maid of the Mist, should be named Maid of the Soaked.
You hear about idiots falling over the falls. How does this happen you say.? Welll This group was close to making me rich with the video and photo shots of them getting close to the falls and tripping on the edge. So Close. I was glad they survived but disappointed on the loss of possible income opportunity. This is the edge of the American falls. Remember, no one has ever survived going over this fall. You saw the rocks below in the earlier photo. I guess the posted signs and steel chest high railings did not say enough about how this is a really, really, bad idea.
After the Boat Ride and hanging out on the Observation Deck you exit through the Gift Store. Photo opp and it was Dry in there.
We then wandered around a little and found ourselves on one edge of the American Falls. You are right next to the falls with the safety of the rails as opposed to the idiots in the earlier pictures. You can see the Observation Deck where You take the elevator 20 stories down to the Maid of the Mist ride. The noise on the edge of this deck is crazy loud, yet really quiet moving just a few feet back from the edge. This was one of the coolest places I have physically been.
This Group behind us was having Trouble getting everyone organized for a Group Shot. Staci was having so much fun watching me get them and quite a few others in a massive group shot she didn’t take a photo. We had fun though.
This shot was an experiment of Staci trying for a panoramic shot of Horseshoe falls. Somehow the camera placed me in the shot from the far right of what she was trying to take. We thought it interesting although in no way of where I was located while this shot was taken. The buildings in the background are located across the river on the Canadian Side, not behind horseshoe falls as well. They got bumped into the photo also.
I say we are kissing because after 4 hours we are finally dry from the falls. Staci says because we are in Love. Yea both are right
Walking back to the 5th wheel, because we thought it might be a nice walk. Turned out to be our private walk down a path next to the river leading to the falls and another Discovery. We never saw another person in the 15 minute walk and enjoyed the beauty surrounding us.
Down the path we walked enjoying the scenery when we saw a bridge and sign saying Sister islands. The Walk just got even better as you cross three bridges and see the river just before it goes over the falls. Crazy beautiful and interesting. Do not miss out on this as it is off the beaten path. Off the beaten path is of course where we live most of the time on this trip.
Well I am excited in this photo as I am dry, we are done exploring, Food is close and the 5th wheel is located right around the corner out of Sight. We did not plan at all well in the food department, allotted time to see the falls, parking, or what to see first. Given that we probably saw Niagara Falls the least organized way possible. We had the time of our lives and can not stress again how much this is a see once in your life place. I really think you might have to be here to see and feel what I have been trying to describe to you.