Niagara Falls

This is the first of several postings about our summer vacation to New York.  It was truly a "planes, trains and automobiles" trip (with some boat trips, taxis and subway rides thrown in too!).  Our trip began with a flight to Buffalo, NY where we picked up our rental car and headed to Niagara Falls.  We had done some research and found that most of the falls viewing was on the Canadian side, so we crossed the border at Rainbow Bridge and headed to our hotel.  When we got to our room, this was the view that greeted us.  The falls to the left are the American Falls.

These are the Horseshoe Falls - the falls we are all familiar with when we think of Niagara Falls.  What a view!  They even shine gigantic lights on the falls at night.  It was breathtaking.  We spent our time in our room at the window looking out.

Here was the view the next morning (zoom lens).

We had a quick breakfast at the hotel and then headed to the St. David ward in Niagara Falls.  It's always fun to visit various wards in our travels.  Once you step inside, it is very familiar - almost like home but the faces are different.

We took the scenic route back to the hotel from church.  That's our hotel just right of center with the red top (Embassy Suites).

Our plan was to not eat at any chain restaurants on this trip because New York (especially the City) is known for their abundance of good eats.  But right out of the box we blew our plan.  There was a Tony Roma's within walking distance from our hotel.  It has always been one of our favorites, and there are none nearby back home.  Inside the restaurant we found people had written their names on the old bricks.  We had no sooner sat down than Bryce found his name on the bricks (he is pointing to the brick with the "e" from his name).  He was delighted.  Bryce can never find his name on all those personalized souvenirs (pencils, license plates, bookmarks), so he couldn't believe he found his name on the wall.

On the same wall Adam found his name too!

Then it was on to our tour.  Since we really only had one full day in Niagara Falls, we decided the best way to see everything was to go on a tour (the pink sticker on Bryce's shirt identified him as a tour member).  By using the tour we didn't have to wonder where things were located, or look for parking.  It worked out great for us.  Here is Bryce up close to the falls.

The tour not only took us to the falls, but behind the falls.  We traveled through tunnels to get close to the bottom of the falls.  They outfit everyone in rain ponchos because it is WET.

A wet Adam.

They have three openings that come out behind the falls.  Here we are in front of one of those openings.  The water is spraying in from behind us as the Horseshoe Falls zip by.  We took a wheelchair along for just this purpose.  Michelle has learned by sad experience that slick walkways and her cane don't make for safe walking.  So rather than have her skip the journey behind the falls, we took the chair.

Adam all dry after going behind the falls.  The big boxy building behind him is our hotel.

Another stop was at the Whirlpool.  This is down the river after the falls.  At this point the river takes a sharp turn.  The water doesn't naturally follow a 90 degree turn, so the water churns around, causing a strong whirlpool - no swimming here!  There is a tram that crosses this point in the river.  You can see the cables just past Adam's head.

We are standing in front of the "flower clock".  The face of the clock is entirely made of flowers and other plants.  Quite a site.  Our tour guide pointed out that the hands of the clock are a crutch and a cane to honor the disabled. 

Then we stopped at the Butterfly Conservatory.  These butterflies were very large and had beautiful blue wings (on the top - not the bottom of their wings that you are seeing).  The area was full of dozens of varieties of butterflies and unusual plants.  The butterflies would even land on you.

Our last stop was the best.  If you ever go to Niagara Falls, do not miss going on the Maid of the Mist!  This is a boat that takes you upriver to the falls - so close that they once again give you a rain poncho so you won't get soaked. 

Here is Bryce checking out the American Falls.

We haven't reached the wet part yet, but can you see the anticipation on Adam's face?

We got even closer than this, but a picture at that point would be nothing but mist.  It was an amazing experience to be at the base of the Horseshoe Falls, see the water pouring over the edge, feel the mist and hear the roar as the falls hit the water below.

Bryce after our voyage.  Can you see how wet his shirt is at the neckline?  Somebody didn't tie their poncho up tight.  That's our boat behind him.

Just had to include another shot of the falls.  It is spectacular.

On Friday and Sunday nights, they have a fireworks show over the falls.  So while everyone lined up for a good spot to view the show, we headed up to our room for the best seats we've ever had for a fireworks display.

Before we knew it, it was Monday and time to leave.  Dan got this shot of Adam using the shoe cleaner (on his feet).  It was a popular attraction in our room, but I'm not sure it was ever used on any shoes.

It was fun to learn some of the history of the falls, including those crazy people who tried to go over the falls in various contraptions.  This is a metal barrel that one man (Mr. Hill) used for a trip over the Horseshoe Falls - and he survived!   In one story we read a woman (admittedly looking for notoriety) went over the falls in a wooden barrel and even took her poor cat with her - they also survived. 

This was a great start to our vacation.  We would highly recommend a trip to Niagara Falls!