2013 - 2014 Eastward and Beyond Travels: Adventures in Niagara Falls

Since 1960 Bill and I have waited to visit Niagara Falls. Yesterday we waited for Gail and Larry to catch up with us at Niagara Lazy Lakes in Lockport, New York. We waited for them so we put air in our tire after the valve stem leaked all the air out. We waited for them so we replaced the fuse to the cig lighter that blew while Bill melted the plug to his mini compressor trying to put air in the rigs tire. We waited while they waited to cross the border. We all got pounded with a thunder and lightening show while we waited. And at last they arrived just after the rains stopped. And everything was right again.

Gail and Larry

We left Lazy Lakes in Lockport at 8 a.m. for an early start for sightseeing at Niagara Falls on the Canadian side. Now this was a 15 mile drive from the park to Niagara Falls, Canada. Across the Lewiston Bridge. That's when it went all wrong. A half hour later we found a Visitor Center. It cost us $49 a piece before we left. We bought the Adventure Pass giving us 2 days on the WeGo Bus that travels up and down the river through Niagara Falls plus admission to 4 attractions.

So off we went again with tickets in hand. That's when it went wrong again.

Just how hard can it be to go south and keep the river on our left side. Obviously our ability to drive from Washington to New York is no indicator of our skills at following a GPS....excuse me, that would be two GPS's barking in tandem to keep us going in the right direction. We finally got downtown, about 3 miles away and an hour later. Success.

Casino parking right downtown, and for only $5 for all day. We took a short and lovely stroll down the hill and came to a beautiful view of the falls.

The city of Niagara Falls looks a lot like Stanley Park in Vancouver, BC. Beautiful and manicured flowers, plans and lawns.

You got to be able to laugh at mishaps. We got there didn't we!

And what a magnificent sight it was.

Even the overcast skies couldn't dampen the amazing sight.

Interesting. Almost like the clouds were siphoning off the mist from the falls.

The Maid of the Mist below the falls. First attraction of four.

Now this was fun. And wet! The ponchos were stifling hot and it was super muggy out.

Just how many can they put on these fair maidens of the mist? This was the ship ahead of ours.

Aren't the ponchos cute?

Oh brave Gail with her hood down. Bill is wrapped up like Nanook of the North.

Larry is a brave one too. At least for a while.

That's more like it.

Dang that's wet...but what fun!

Our next attraction, number two was:

A walk along a boardwalk just above the river, Stage 6 rapids. Illegal for people to go on. Not to worry. I've had enough Niagara water in my face for one day.

Okay enough of this...we're hungry. We came back up to street level and crossed to our faithful WeGo bus stop. While we waited for the bus I snapped a few pics of the Buddist Gardens next door.

This little black squirrel came out to say hello.

and just as quickly went back inside.

The bus arrived and off we went on our trusty WeGo, heading back to the Secret Gardens Restaurant for some yummy burgers and a quiche.

Had a perfect table on the outside veranda with views of the falls and gardens.

The fries are called Poutine fries...which means covered with cheese and gravy.

Happy Campers once again we walked down to the bus stop to head off for attraction three:

Now this attraction was a hoot. After a short animated video of the creation of the falls we moved into an IMAX for a simulation of being in the falls. Spray, wind, falling down the falls, and a lot of shaking and thumping. Fun!

Before going in we donned another poncho. Gail got a little confused about fronts and backs and Larry had to help her. Maybe it was the excitement of the Fury.

Hurry Larry, she's turning blue.

Happy flowers.

Our final attraction, number four was an hour standing in lines donning yet another poncho in exchange for about 3 minutes of viewing. A Journey Behind the Falls. I don't think you could actually get much closer to the falls without being in them but this attraction nearly accomplished that.

There are two identical portals located literally behind the falls. This is one. Yes, water. You can't see through it either.

Another elevator ride up to street level and we were done. We walked along the overlook and got another fantastic view of the top of the falls, just before it disappeared over the rim. This is the span that Nik Wallenda in June of 2012 walked across on a tightrope.