Niagara Trip Highlights--Day 3--The Falls

This is the view we woke up to on Tuesday morning of the trip. It was from the room in the Embassy Suites Hotel. We were told at one point that is very unusual to get a room with a view of both the American and Canadian Falls. I believe everyone in our group enjoyed this for the three mornings--and evenings--that we were in Niagara. I'm not sure how she managed this, but great job, Carol!

We had a step-on tour guide for the entire day on Tuesday. We
learned lots of inside information about the Falls and some of the history surrounding them. Our first stop was a tour into tunnels behind the Falls.

Joe and Kathy Harrison (and all the rest of us) donned our rain slickers. We needed them too, because it was a bit damp! When looking out at the Falls it was hard to see anything but a wall of water. The photo below is from a side angle and gives an idea of what we saw.


The tremendous mist created by the falling water obscures the view somewhat from certain angles. After we went behind the falls we bordered the "Hornblower" boat to take a trip out into the water for a closer look. The "Maid of the Mist" shown below was another boat just like the one we were on. It departs from the American side.

This shows the American Falls in the background. Our guide told stories of people who have gone over the Horseshoe falls (mostly in some type of barrel) and survived--or not! It is, of course, illegal to try this, but several have done it over the years. And tightrope walkers have also been successful in walking across the huge gorge!

On the right is a close-up view of the Horseshoe Falls from the boat. It is hard to believe the power of the water. The photo below is the American Falls from the boat. No-one has ever tried to go over these because of the huge rocks below.


It is easy to see why! This photo also shows the Bridal Veil falls on the right side of the American Falls. Some sources even state that there are three different Falls.


Our guide told us that it is possible now to shut off the Falls, and that has been done to keep at least one person from trying to go over them. A young child also went over them by accident many years ago--and survived!  As one would expect, the water supplies power to much of the surrounding area. The hydro-electric power companies can now control the amount of water flow to help slow the rate of erosion.     

After a delicious lunch at the Secret Garden Restaurant, we traveled a short distance up the gorge from the Falls and saw the Rapids. These are Class 6 Rapids and are considered un-runnable!

 As we left the immediate area of the Falls, our guide pointed out the Rainbow Bridge that connects Niagara Falls, Canada, with Niagara Falls, US. No trucks are allowed on the bridge--only foot traffic, bicycles or cars. This bridge opened in 1941. It is built high above the water of the Niagara River so that ice in the river cannot destroy it as it did the previous bridge.

As we left this breathtaking natural wonder created by glaciers millions of years ago, everyone was in awe of what they had seen.