Oh, my gosh! If you ever wanted to see Niagra Falls, don't delay any longer. The falls are absolutely stunning in their power and magnitude. This picture looks like a postcard, doesn't it! I took this from the bridge overlooking the falls at our last stop. The buildings in the upper right-hand corner are the skyline of Canada.
Josh and I boarded a tour bus right after lunch. Our tour guide, Robin, was very friendly and interested in hearing about Houston. We shared some of our trip adventures with her as we made our way towards the town of Niagara Falls were we were to pick up the other members of the tour.
First we went to the Whirlpool State Park where we saw the rapids and whirlpool. These are class 5 rapids (they're class 5 on a scale of 1-5), and no one is allowed to go down them. We went down a series of stairways and paths to the base of the gorge. There is a marked path can be followed along the remnants of the former Great Gorge Route railway to an old observation station overlooking the rapids. This station was used as a way-point for visitors riding the Great Gorge Railway from which to view the Whirlpool Rapids. The natural beauty of this area is majestic.
Next, we traveled to Goat Island where we rode an elevator 175 feet deep into the Niagara Gorge. Then, wearing bright yellow souvenir ponchos and the special sandals that we were provided, we followed a tour guide over a series of wooden walkways to the famous "Hurricane Deck." There, we were a mere 20 feet from the billowing torrents of Bridal Veil Falls. One of the guides told me that they have to rebuild the walkways every year due to the pressures exerted by the thousands of people who climb up and down them and the water that courses over them daily. He also said that one of the staff walks the entire course of the wood walkways every half hour to be sure that everything is as it should be. They don't hesitate to shut down the walkways if there is any potential problem to ensure that all of the visitors are safe at all times. I have to tell you that neither of us kept our wet raingear, but Josh kind of likes his sandals.
Here's a photo Josh up on the Hurricane Deck. Can you pick him out?
Then we went to see the power plant where they divert water from the Niagara River—up to 375,000 gallons a second—and convey it through conduits under the City of Niagara Falls to Lewiston. From there, water flowing through the Robert Moses plant spins turbines that power generators, converting this mechanical energy into electrical energy. I understand from one of the guides that this power plant provides electricity for five of the states in this area and includes the power provided to New York City!
Part of our tour included a stop at the main tour headquarters where we had time to dry out, rest up, and have a snack while we looked at possible souvenir purchases. Then we went into the theater to see a 3-D movie about the history of the falls. Part of the show included a mist falling from the ceiling at the most surprising times. What fun!
And then, finally, we traveled to the waterfront where we boarded the Maid of the Mist for our boat trip to the falls. Before boarding, we were provided with another souvenir rain poncho - this time blue. The Maid of the Mist took us to the base of the American Falls and then to the basin of Horseshoe Falls, through the crashing waters and massive rock formations, allowing us to experience firsthand the power and intensity of the falls. What a trip!
Josh and I were glad to get back on the tour bus and ride back to the RV campground. We were beyond tired and ready to eat dinner and get some rest. John had enjoyed resting and puttering around the camp with Skooter. He said that made for a great Father's Day for him - no pressure.
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