August 30,2016
Stuck in Buffalo
So we find ourselves in ‘stuck’ in Buffalo, New York. Our truck is in the shop for a crazy unusual problem that they had to order parts that won’t be in until Monday. So we took advantage of our situation, rented a car and took a mini adventure to Niagara Falls.
After doing some research we decided to visit the Canadian side. The reason…the views!! From the American side, you will be able to walk out on a platform and look to your left and see the falls from the side and only part of the Horseshoe Falls. From the Canadian side, the panoramic view is what you get. The ones you see on the post cards.
Crossing the border was interesting. I think each time is a different experience. First off it took nearly an hour to go maybe one mile. When it was our turn at the border shack, the first question was why were we coming into Canada. Of course our answer was to visit the Falls. Which I figured would be normal and not really questioned further. Ya, not so the case.
The interrogation began. Where do we live? When did we leave home? When was the last time we were in Canada? Why were we there then? Do we have any weapons with us? Did we have any weapons in our truck? How long we were planning on staying? Oh my goodness?! No wonder we sat on the Rainbow Bridge for so long!!
We chose to purchase the discovery pass which gave us admission to four of the attractions and a Wego bus pass for two days. After parking and a short walk we got our first glimpse of the falls. Boy oh boy can you see it all! The views were awesome! Shocking that the mist can reach the top, it felt like it was lightly sprinkling. After snapping a few photos we made our way to the first attraction which we chose to be the White Water Walk. Nice short (half mile round trip) walk on a boardwalk next to the water, Class VI rapids! Impressive flow and ever changing water.
Just as we got back to the Wego station to take the bus to our next stop the skies opened up. Lightning, thunder, and downpour! A dry bus ride to the welcome center was nicely timed! Into the visitor center to view the short movie, “Niagara’s Fury”, about the creation of the falls. Next was the Journey behind the Falls. Both attractions were ok, not quite what we thought they would be.
After those and a quick walk through yet another gift shop, which seems to be the entrance/exit to all attractions, we headed to our final stop. The sun had returned!!! Skies were clear and the sun was back! The Hornblower boat cruise took us up close to the base of the falls.
We expected to get soaked on this one, hence planning this stop last. They hand out plastic rain ponchos, which seemed to work fairly well. However, anything not under that poncho will get wet. The water runs down the poncho onto pant legs and shoes. Although I wouldn’t say we were soaked, barely wet at best. I mean after all, the base of the Falls, the incredible power of the unbelievable amount of water crashing down creating a mist that you can barely see through, we should have been drenched!
After the half mile, thirty minute ride, we were back at the dock. We took off yet another poncho and readjusted our backpack and headed back up another elevator ride to the street. This time we decided to walk the last stretch back to the car…and yes, it was all uphill!
For us, being in the truck and just the two of us and the dog the majority of the time, we had our fill of crowds and people. So we decided to skip the lighting of the falls and not wait for the fireworks show at 10 pm and head back to the hotel. A very enjoyable day and awesome mini adventure we are excited we had the opportunity to take!
