We Have Arrived!

After travelling for 12 hours over the course of two days, and taking a 4 hour stop to gawk at an Air Force collection to make your head spin, the fact that you have finally reached your destination is a lot to take hold of.  For our first full day in Niagara, we decided to simply explore.  Since we stayed in Canada, we were able to have a great view of all 3 falls.  As we walked the path, it was both mind boggling and jaw dropping to simply see them in person.  Every time we came to an opening, it seemed that would be the best view - and then we would walk more and change our minds.  It was truly incredible.

The falls you see below are the American Falls and the Bridal Veil Falls (the small ones to the right).  Visitors are able to cross over bridges to see different parts of the falls, including being able to walk right along side the falls - if you look closely in a few photos, you can see people in ponchos along the sides.

 The American Falls were diverted through a cofferdam in 1969 to study the effects of erosion and consider removal of some of the massive amount of rocks you see at the bottom.  Due to time and money, the rocks were left, and I love the piece of interest and texture it adds to the scene.

 Eighty-five percent of the water from the Niagara River flows over the Horseshoe Falls you see here.  While all the falls have their own immense piece, the Horseshoe Falls are definitely more powerful.  From the crazy height of the mist, to the roaring sound of the water, there is little argument that these falls have a bigger impact.

 Along with all of this, is the opportunity to ride a boat right up to the falls.  There are so many boats, trying to get a picture of the falls without one in it is a delicate timing dance.

 Our peeps certainly had a good time seeing the falls from different angles and feeling the mist as we stood on the sides, along with all the other visitors to the Falls.  We even had some fun as we went singing songs from church and playing under a huge hanging tree (that acted more like a fort).

And the new selfie stick - which my husband dubbed the "Family Pic Stick" - it went everywhere with us.  I laughed, but forced my husband to include me in his iphoneography.  At least I'll end up in someone's pictures.  HA!

Our final exploration was a walk across the Rainbow Bridge to the US where we were able to see the rapids more up close.  I felt like they were a little misleading, knowing what was at the end, but beautiful none the less.

And walking across the bridge means a walk back post sunset, which was pretty cool.  Next stop?  Getting up close and personal with those falls!

Until next time,