NIAGARA FALLS

If you have been following my recent posts you know that my wife and I have been in Upstate New York for the past week. On our way home we decided to visit at Niagara Falls. Everyone told us that the falls are best from the Canadian side, but we were traveling without passports and that wasn't an option. To our delight the American side was outstanding.

Here is the first section of the American Falls as we saw them from the Maid of the Mist boat ride.

Here in the distance you can see the observation deck where our journey began.

Once on the deck you can see that it is quite a far piece looking down to the river. The people walking below looked like ants and the wind was intense.

Here you can see some of the boats working their way up the river. The buildings on the horizon are on the Canadian side and the falls on the left are on the American.

From the observation deck my wife and I rode the elevator down to the docking area for the Maid of the Mist boat ride. You were given a rain poncho to help keep you dry during the ride. Here we are getting ready to shove off on our adventure.

Our boat is working its way into the falls area and as you can see we are beginning to be covered by a fine mist.

Here we are in the churning water right up next to the falls. The boat is a rock'n and the mist is more like a shower.

My wife is a great sport and although she is getting drenched she is having a great time.

Our captain was able to keep our boat positioned right in the center of the falls for quite some time letting us see some spectacular views.

Once off the boat you can take the elevator back up or walk one of the trails that goes next to the fall. We choose to keep our rain coats on and walk up the trails. At first it wasn't bad, but before long the spray was intense.

After our walk into the falls we took the elevator back up and started to walk other trails to various overlooks.

We ended up walking over a bridge that took us to Gote Island, which is right in the middle of the falls. Some of the overlooks we saw there put you right next to the fall allowing you to look over and see them tumbling down to the rocks and the river.

Another view of this same overlook

And here is a shot looking down instead of across.

On Gote Island there is an attraction called Cave of the Winds. Here we are looking down on those who ventured into this area. As you can see there is once point where the fall are almost crashing onto your head.

One last look from above.

So hey, if you are ever close to Buffalo New York be sure to give Niagara a visit.