Click pictures to see larger picture
18/8 /14 - Lake Erie, Pennslvannia to Niagara Falls, New York
One of the many glorious houses on the shore of Lake Erie. Obviously prime real estate.
We decided to take the toll road to Niagara Falls, New York from Lake Erie, which proved to be a good move. Although the toll was a hefty $11.80 plus another $3.75 when we got to Grand Island, NY it was well worth it as the road was excellent with not much traffic. A spectacular view of the bridge to Grand Island just after we paid the toll.
KOA Grand Island, NY - large rv park with chalets as well as rv parking. There were also quite a few campers, including several Amish families (they take holidays now??)
Our first view of the spray from the mighty Horseshoe Falls as we enter Niagara Falls State Park. Niagara Falls is actually the name of the town and not the water falls. The falls themselves comprise 3 waterfalls ie, Horseshoe Falls (2/3rds is in S. Ontario, Canada), the American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls are on American soil.
This aero car is operated from the Canadian side and it crosses over the Whirlpool from Canada to Niagara Falls, New York.
An amazing sight - (not me of course!) but the amount of water that rushes headlong into the Whirlpool is mind boggling. The Niagara River drops 40ft causing its water to hurl itself over the edge.
Be prepared to get wet and wetter - luckily for me what is a standard poncho covered all of me - I looked like a Yellow Ewok in a cheap costume! The smaller fall on the right is the Bridal Veil Falls and to the left is the American Falls. If you do decide to climb up to the viewing platform nearest the falls, you may as well not be wearing the ponchos...they are no match for the force of the downward spray of the water.
We decided to book ourselves on a day/night tour of the Falls - this includes a ride on the Maid of the Mist which you can see in the background. When you arrive at the falls, you are constantly being showered. !!At the Cave of Mist, you are given this excitingly chic yellow poncho and a pair of blue and white sandals. You take an elevator that travels 175 ft down and voila! you are below the falls.
Click pictures to see larger picture
The power of these falls are harnessed into hydro electricity and shared by both the USA and Canada. Both countries take the water at night so the tourists like us enjoy the falls at their fullest capacity during the day.
Remember the Maid of the Mist ride I mentioned earlier? well this little baby takes you almost right into the Horse Shoe Falls. Outstanding!!
Forget about posing for glamorous shots, it takes a lot just to stop from taking off in your "wing suit". You are lashed by wind and water! Oh by the way...notice the change of costume to a fetching blue poncho! The Canadians also do a competing boat run...their costumers get Green Ponchos..from a distance they look like a bunch of Leprechauns on a St Pat's day outing.
Click pictures to see larger picture
The Maid of the Mist taking us closer to Horseshoe falls.
What 675,000 gallons of water per second going over the edge looks like! For more info click on: http://www.niagarafrontier.com/faq.html Personally, this shot of the Horseshoe falls reminds me of a Bundt baking tin cut in half!
Skyscrapers hug the Canadian side of the falls - there are many eating places and shops. It is beautifully landscaped in comparison to their New York counterparts. Apparently all the tourist money goes into the upkeep of the park whereas on the New York side, being a state park means the revenue is not totally dedicated to the beautification and upkeep of the park.
Click pictures to see larger picture
The tower on the right side of the pic is the Skylon Observation Tower. It has a "revolving" restaurant. Just a tip..sales tax is 16% in the city of Niagara Falls, Ontario...ouch!!
Our night tour included a ride up the Skylon observation tower to view the falls. The elevator is on the outside of the tower which stands at 775 feet.
Click pictures to see larger picture
Just as beautiful at night - the American Falls in blue and the Bridal Veil Falls in red.
No comments:
Post a Comment