Day 3 - Touring Nigara Falls, NY area

Overlooking Niagara Falls...Maid of the Mist boat in the mist!

Day 3- Touring Niagara Falls Region, Niagara Falls, NY

         

          A highly anticipated day of touring the incredible geography of the Niagara Falls, NY area began with an unusual observation at breakfast. The hotel provides a hot breakfast in the lobby, a common practice of late. Some places have a hot buffet, others Belgian waffle maker, and today included something new to me…an AUTOMATIC pancake maker…You push a button, pancake batter drops onto a concealed griddle/conveyor belt, and a fresh pancake drops off at the end of the conveyor belt. What will they think of next?

            Today brings a visit to one of the geographic gems of American geography: Niagara Falls. The falls are an international curiosity as the town of Niagara Falls, NY  teems with visitors from around the globe. Being from Chicago, I am used living within a diverse community. However, the area around Niagara Falls is a veritable tableau of human geography. Asia, Europe, South America, Central America, North America were all well-represented among the visitors. It was great to observe the various styles and personal tastes individuals selected to come visit The Falls. The world was here to see The Falls today and we were in for a treat…

Walking the trail next to The Rapids

            Perfect blue sky summer weather, 83 degrees upon arrival, and a half-mile walk along the Niagara River towards Niagara Falls State Park and the colossal namesake falls. The rapids swirl with energy and a blur of foamy white as the river heads to its picturesque precipice. As an observer you simply marvel at the power. The power of nature, the power of a seemingly infinite source of water for this spectacle, and the power of simplicity…we’re all gawking at a fast moving river that leads to a waterfall.  Of course, it’s one of the greatest falls in North American (if not the world…).

            No visit to Niagara Falls would be complete without a ride on the Maid of the Mist. These excursion boats run twenty minute rides up the river right to the base of the falls. This boat ride is a thrill of a lifetime and it gives you an in-your-face introduction to the falls. The company gives you a poncho as you’re guaranteed to get wet from all of the mist generated by the falls crashing into the gorge and river. The boat dutifully chugs down the river and loiters at the base of Horseshoe Falls for several minutes. During those minutes you are beholden to nature’s picturesque fury…Cameras are clicking, people are staring, and the falls are the star of the show. Tourists are whooping and cheering at the inundation of water. Few people do anything but stare in awe…I was right in the middle of everything soaking up the scene…Tremendous!

Series of pictures aboard the Maid of the Mist

            After a ride on the Maid of the Mist it was time for a simple picnic lunch…When you’re on the go, eating becomes fairly simple…buy a sandwich and have a picnic! It was great to sits hundreds of feet from the falls, listen to their roar, and truly appreciate the scene. Niagara Falls is a must-see experience…Make plans to come here one day…You won’t regret the effort.

Picnic lunch in Niagara Falls State Park

            The afternoon featured a visit to a historic legend in the region: Old Fort Niagara. Old Fort Niagara, situated at the mouth of the Niagara River, was an ominous welcome sign to any ship that entered from Lake Ontario during the fort’s three hundred year history. France, Great Britain, and today the United States all claimed the fort. It’s a special place with great architecture.

Touring Old Fort Niagara

            Hand-hewn lumber, rough-cut corner stones, and cobble stone paths greet you when you arrive. Located on a 300-acre site, the fort is laid out with military efficiency but offers many visual treats to those who look beyond the perfunctory uses of the fort’s buildings. Masonry and woodworking details remind you that buildings the fort’s age represent an era of handcraftsmanship that gave way to the mass produced construction materials and buildings in our Home Depot dominated world. At times the trade-off doesn’t seem fair…Buildings like Old Fort Niagara are part of what make our country’s history quite rich…Tomorrow a reflection on Old Fort Niagara!

Cannon emplacements and a view of the grounds and Lake Ontario

            Dinner was quite pleasant…a picnic by the shores of Lake Ontario. Off in the distance, Toronto emerged from the haze in the sun-setting sky. Earlier today, I went back to Leon’s Bistro, easily the best choice in the area, for carry-out. I did a rare repeat: I ordered a slice of pizza and a steak hoagie. The pizza was for dinner and the sandwich did double-duty as an afternoon snack and an Olympics watching snack later this evening. Delicious.

            It was a very busy, but wonderful day…I enjoyed spending time by the shores of Lake Ontario…again impressed with nature’s ability to capture our hearts and our imagination. There were some people scattered here at there along the shore, not surprising as humans have an intrinsic connection to water. Anyone who knows me knows that is true of me plus the fact that I have an intrinsic connection to pizza.

            Ahhh…the best of both worlds...~Mr. K.

Ideal end to a wonderful day...Thanks for joining me!