Niagara Falls

Last week we drove to Niagara Falls on our way to Michigan.  On the way there Morgan entertained us by reading from Mark Twain's notes on the place; it hasn't changed much since then (although there was less Indian paraphernalia than there seemed to be in 1871).

We stayed in a hotel on the Canadian side, which extended the theme even to the bathroom sinks:

After checking in, we walked a bit around the Canadian side, which includes a view across the river to the American falls:

And, of course, the Horseshoe Falls:

We could get pretty close to the rim of the Horseshoe Falls, and the perpetual mist makes perpetual rainbows:

We then partook in a Maid of the Mist ride (note: you should take it from the American side, if you have the chance, because 1. the price difference hasn't caught up with the exchange rate, and 2. the American ticket includes the option to hike around the foot of the American Falls), which has been in continuous operation since 1846.  I wasn't kidding when I said it hasn't changed much since Mark Twain.  The Maid of the Mist rides every half hour 24 times a day (from each side), chugging up toward the foot of the Horseshoe Falls, where you are indeed issued a poncho and get soaked.  Going past the American Falls:

And approaching the Horseshoe Falls:

The boat ride was a lot of fun.  It's one thing to understand the power of the water in an abstract sort of way, and another thing to feel like the boat you are on is steaming full speed ahead, only to look up at the cliffs and notice that you are not, in fact, moving, because it is all the boat can do to keep still.  From above, the Maids of the Mist looked like they didn't get anywhere close to the falls.

We quickly washed up for a fantastic dinner in the revolving restaurant atop the Skylon Tower, which had alternating views of the American Falls

and of the Horseshoe Falls:

The Château de Charmes icewine was pretty disappointing, but I liked the brut.

The next morning we went to see the Whirlpool that I had heard so much about, only to discover that it was more like rapids:

We speculated that maybe they didn't turn it on until 9am, because nothing else opened early, either.  On the plus, I got to save my money, because I was no longer tempted to ride the cable car (in continuous operation since 1911):

We then walked back across to the American side (fortunately, the line at customs is much shorter by foot than by car), which gave us a nice view by bridge:

I didn't budget much time for the American side, because all I had heard was how much better the Canadian side is, but the American side actually has a nice park, and is worth a visit (as long as you don't have your heart set on seeing any waterfalls).

There was but a short rail between us, the grass, and the falls.  I wonder how many people are tempted to go dip their feet in the peaceful little puddle at the very edge of the American falls.

In conclusion: we had a wonderful time, and it's worth a weekend visit.  But maybe I'll fly next time.