New England – Fall 2010 – Day 10: Niagara Falls

Julia threw open the curtains at about 8.00am and enjoyed the view as would have anyone glancing our way as she was straight out of bed and wearing nothing, such was her excitement about the place we found ourselves. We have remarked several times that we need to pinch ourselves to test if we are dreaming, since retirement we have seen amongst other places Pompeii, The Pyramids of Gisa, Mount Vesuvius, Venice and now Niagara Falls. Julia being a geologist finds the natural sights the most exciting and the falls had her gripped.
We retraced my steps from the day before and found the IHOP, but, as it was attached to another hotel, it was expensive to eat the basic stack of three pancakes.
After breakfast we set off to explore the falls area. We refused the hillside railway and looked for an alternative way down to the water’s edge which we failed to find; reluctantly we paid up for the railway. A journey of about three minutes down the hillside took us to the Table Rock House Plaza where we were to purchase our attraction tickets. The Joint ticket which gave us four attractions seemed expensive so we decided to buy a ticket to “Behind the Falls” and later one to ride on the “Maid of the Mist”. However after enjoying the view from a midway observation platform we saw the huge line for the “Behind the Falls”, I offered to go back and buy a joint ticket as there had been no line there. When I returned the line had shrunk dramatically but we still gained a small advantage as we were able to go in ahead of those queuing by taking the pre paid line.
We were photographed against a blue screen in order that we could select the backdrop of our choice on our return through. It seems strange that one of nature’s wonders is right there but they fake the photographs using computer effects, I cannot understand why they don’t make me taller and thinner and put me in front of the Grand Canyon!
After the photograph we were given yellow rain capes to protect us from the spray.
To quote the brochure:
Visitors to Niagara Falls can enjoy the thunder of the waters from a completely different perspective by visiting The Journey Behind The Falls attraction. The observation platform at the base of the falls is easily reached by elevators and a network of tunnels. Two other tunnels provide a close-up view of the Falls from behind. The tunnels extend only 46 metres behind the waterfall, so there is not a lot of walking and you can explore it all at your leisure: the excursion is completely self-guided.
The view of the falls through the openings at the end of the tunnels is merely of a solid sheet of water but the awe comes from the noise and vibration caused by the volume of water rushing down. After being behind the falls we emerged onto an observation platform and photographed and videoed the horse shoe shaped falls. While we were there the Maid of the Mist arrived at the foot of the falls, it pushed its engines hard to get deep into the spray where it held its position for several minutes before retreating. I’m sure the force of the water pushes the boat down river without much help from the engine. The demand for the boat trip is such that at any given moment there are three Maids of the Mist in action.
As we left the BTF area we took in the “Niagara’s Fury – The Creation of the Falls” the least impressive of our four attractions. Once again we were issued with rain capes and we stood and watched a folksy film about a beaver on school detention having to write an essay on the geology that created the Falls – I thought Julia might be spellbound by this but no it was a bit too Alvin and the Chipmunks even for her! Following the film we were ushered into a circular area, suspiciously with a metal grid for a floor, and told to hang onto the supports which rose from the floor. Now we experienced the Fury!!!
To quote;
The temperature will drop. Water will bubble and spray while snow falls all around. Standing on a massive platform you will feel the wrath of Mother Nature as the floor tilts and trembles beneath you. This is Niagara's Fury! Niagara Parks has recreated the amazing sights and sounds of the Creation of Niagara Falls. Incredible images developed with technology used previously only in satellites and medicine will immerse you in a 4D Universal Studios-style attraction.
If you are me you’ll struggle to be impressed.
We handed in our rain capes and moved on towards the Maid of the Mist.
We passed in our voucher, got issued with blue rain capes and boarded the next boat, within minutes we set off past the American Falls noting as we went the smaller falls alongside, called the Bridesmaid. The American Falls is higher than the Canadian and more dangerous because of there being more rocks at its base so nobody has ever attempted to go over them in a barrel.
Before we reached the Canadian Falls we had the spot pointed out where a young boy was picked up alive having been swept over the Falls in a small canoe wearing only a life jacket – his father was with him but didn’t survive. The boy was picked up by one of the MOTM’s which was carrying tourists at the time.
As we neared the base of the falls we were drenched by the spray, deafened by the noise and struggling against the water pressure – we were so impressed!
We have some great pictures and video - despite my worrying both cameras survived – I was really fearful for their survival when every surface was wet to the touch.
Next we caught the free people mover along the shoreline to the final of our booked attractions, the White Water Walk. Here we again took an elevator down to the river side and walked along a boardwalk slightly above the river close enough to fully appreciate the power of the rapids and the speed of the river. At the start of the walk there was a display of the feats of daring attempted in the area. Look up Daredevils of Niagara Falls on Google or your favourite search engine it has to be read to be believed. Here are some examples:
Going over the falls in a barrel:
July 11th 1920 - Englishman Charles G. Stephens equipped his wooden barrel with an anvil for ballast. Charles tied himself to the anvil for security. After the plunge, Chuck’s right arm was the only item left in the barrel.
July 5th 1930 - A Greek waiter named George L. Statakis suffocated to death after his barrel was trapped behind the falls for more than 14 hours.
The one I remember from the display was a woman who went over the falls in a barrel accompanied by her pet dog, she suffocated in the barrel before she was rescued because her dog blocked the only air hole by putting its nose through it thus cutting off any air into the barrel but surviving itself – Man’s best friend?
Tightrope walking over the Falls:
On June 30, 1859, the “Great Blondin” walked along a tightrope suspended above the rapids of Niagara Falls, becoming the first man to walk across the Falls. His first tightrope walk across Niagara Falls earned him international fame, and he repeated the walk in many different fashions. According to the Niagara Parks Commission, by his career’s end, Blondin had crossed Niagara Falls on tightrope while carrying a wheelbarrow, cooking an omelet, carrying his manager on his back, and doing a somersault on stilts. The number of times Blondin crossed Niagara varies by account from eight to 21.
It was a restful finish to the attractions and we were able to catch the free bus back to the hotel. After a brew in our room, once again Julia had a swim or bath while I took some great photos of the Canadian falls with a rainbow caused by the sun shining through the mist. I was also charged with finding the evening’s restaurant and I chose “My Cousin Vinney’s” party due to my affection for the film of the same name and partly because I thought it was unconnected to any hotel.
Sadly I was wrong on the second count and the place charged like a wounded bull, we passed the $70 mark for the first and only time and the meal was no better than average.
However Julia refused to be downhearted as we went to bed with one of the great sights of the world.