We visited Niagara Falls today and wow, nature is absolutely
fantastic. We visited the American side of the falls and when we first
pulled up it was very, very tacky and touristy, not very impressive at
all just lots of people standing around trying to wave you into car
parks. After we finally parked and figured out where we had to go
everything got better from there onwards. We bought the combo ticket,
which lets you do 5 attractions and then set off into the Niagara
State Park which is beautiful, very natural and well kept. The first
thing we did was head to The Maid of the Mist boat ride. Since we went
during the week and all the kids are now back in school we didn’t have
to wait more than 5 minutes to board the boat, and we used that time
to get all decked out in the lovely blue ponchos we were given – a
good indication that we were going to get wet I think. We sailed right
past the American Falls and the Bridal Falls first and the sight was
amazing then the boat took us towards the Horseshoe Falls. The
American Falls are spectacular but the Horseshoe Falls just take your
breathe away, the power and force of the water are just unbelievable.
The boat took us right into the curve of the falls and then stayed
there for a few minutes. It was definitely an OMG moment with the
combination of the roar of the water and the spray of the mist coming
of the falls; it gives you an appreciation of the immense force of
nature. We were so close to the falls that it was actually difficult
to see them as the mist coming off the water was almost completely
obscuring the fall of water; and we did at this point get just a
little wet. Definitely something that everyone should see and
experience, it was an awesome ride. After the boat ride we went to the
observation deck and got a really good look at the falls. I think
though that the view will be better from the Canadian side; I’ll let
you know in a few weeks when we go back.
After lunch we walked over to Goat Island to the Cave of the Winds
complex where we were given another poncho, a yellow one this time,
and also shoes before we took the elevator down to experience the
Hurricane Deck. There’s a wooden platform that takes you right
alongside the American Falls and almost underneath the Bridal Falls.
It was very wet, very slippery with green gunk, and very noisy, but
definitely worth doing. We got to walk right alongside the bottom of
the American Falls and then up towards the Bridal Falls. Mike sent me
up the steps first, he told me it was so he could catch me if I fell
but I know the real reason was so I would be his own personal water
break. The closer to the hurricane deck we got the more powerful the
water got, it was breaking over the steps that we were trying to walk
up. It was a little scary, the power of the water is immense. It was
impossible to take photos while we were on the hurricane deck since it
was almost impossible to see (I'm glad I don’t wear glasses anymore).
It was well worth the wetness, do it if you get a chance.
Afterwards we visited the Aquarium which was really a waste of time
especially if you have ever visited Seaworld, and then we watched some
hokey movie about the history of the falls. The real attraction is
obviously the waterfalls, the other stuff is not anything exciting.
Can’t wait to go back and do the Canadian side now.

Mike: Awsome, staggering, incredible, WOW!