It’s time for our first breakfast at the Comfort Inn
Fallsview. What a surprise when we turn
the corner and find a line of people waiting for a table! I guess the guy in his PJs had the right
idea! Hop out of bed and head straight
for the food! In no time at all, though,
we are seated and begin heaping our plates with scrambled eggs, sausage
(happily, not too spicy), a banana muffin and fruit. There is also a choice of juices and coffee
and hot water for tea. We eat with
efficiency so we can free up our spot for the next diners, although the manager
assures us that the rush is pretty much over and they can all relax!
Back in our room we gather everything we think we’ll need
for this misty, damp day and set off for some intense falls viewing! I don’t think anyone could get tired of this
amazing sight, although I’m sure if you live it you probably begin to ignore
it…like people who work in ice-cream shops quit craving ice cream.
The walk to the river takes us over a street lined with
trees in their full autumn splendor!
We are closest to the Canadian or Horseshoe Falls and even
though there is no sun and a lot of mist, the sound and the power are
remarkable, making the falls an experience not to be missed. The ships which take people to the base of
the falls, both the Maid of the Mist and the Hornblower, actually disappear
into the mist (guess that’s the reason for the name?!) and reappear as if by
magic!
We go exploring and discover the inclined railway which
takes people down to the river and back up.
The trip back up is especially wonderful after you’ve walked five or six
miles and just can’t face another steep slope!
Almost as amazing as the falls are the autumn colors! It seems as if each tree is in a contest to
see who can display the most jaw-dropping colors! As we continue along the river front we come
to the American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls.
It’s still pretty misty but that just makes everything “atmospheric”!
We had picked up a flyer for an exhibit of the flotation
devices (read that barrels) that people used to go over the falls – before
“stunting” was outlawed! Unbelievable
stories! One poor man tied a hundred-pound
anvil to his ankles to provide ballast!
The only part of him they recovered was one tattooed arm! Another man chose to wear only cowboy boots
and a green necktie! Truly fascinating
place!! And there’s a National
Geographic store in the lobby! We never
miss a good gift shop!
We have purchased tickets on line for the Hornblower cruise
and our departure time is 3:00 but since we’re already near the dock we ask if
we can go earlier. They are pleased to
accommodate us. I guess the crowds are
dwindling now that the season is nearly over.
I’ve brought old sandals and extra socks because they say you are
guaranteed to get soaked! And I have
that on good authority! (Yes, Tobi, I
was paying attention!) Connie has old
shoes, too, but decides to buy a pair of water shoes in the “Hornblower Gear
Shop” since even her “old” shoes are still pretty darn good! I’ve also brought a disposable waterproof
camera so I don’t have to risk the Canon!
We dutifully don our bright red courtesy ponchos and immediately burst
into a fit of the giggles! The wind by
the river is so strong that trying to put these things on is almost more than
your life is worth! I wind up with mine
inside out; but at least it’s on me!
I’ve stashed my big camera in two gallon-sized baggies, one
inside the other. The whole assemblage
is inside my big field bag and I think I’m ready. Well…maybe I’ll just take it out again for
one or two shots. Well, that was
stupid! It’s really wet out here! Back in the bags it goes and out comes the
disposable. That turns out to be a waste
of time, too, because I can’t keep the lens dry long enough to take a picture!
It’s best to just relax and enjoy the ride, laughing
maniacally all the while, as the mist soaks any exposed surface and the wind
whips your, and everyone else’s, poncho into your face! This is unlike anything else I’ve ever done,
although boating up close to an Alaskan glacier is pretty close, I just didn’t
get so very wet!
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| People will buy ANYTHING! |
Back to dry land and dry shoes! It’s definitely time for lunch and one of the
cruise ladies suggests The Secret Garden.
It may be in the direction she pointed but you couldn’t prove it by
us. We wind up on Clifton Hill or“Fun Street” which is
not our idea of fun; but a young woman
who runs an arcade also suggests The Secret Garden and gives us actual
directions rather than a wave of the hand.
It is pretty well hidden, living up to it’s Secret name, but is well
worth the effort!
The windows are all edged in hand-painted greenery and the
salt and pepper shakers are displayed next to a hand-painted mini-bird
house! We each have broccoli cheese soup and split an
order of fish and chips. It’s yummy and
we are full, warm and finally dry!
Oh yes. There is a duty-free shop right by the Rainbow Bridge and we need to check it out! Would you believe we saw these?
But our attention is constantly called back to the magnificence of Mother Nature!
The sun is making a valiant effort to illuminate the falls
and as we head back toward our hotel I finally get a few decent photos. We take the inclined railway back up the
slope and heed the siren’s call of warmth and comfort! I can’t wait to take off my shoes and regroup
a bit before dinner and the fireworks display at 10:00!
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| Look carefully! Can you see the boat about to disappear into the mist? Do you wonder why we were soaked?! |
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| It doesn't look like much of a ride; but it sure beats walking! |
Connie takes a nap while I download today’s photos and try
to whittle them down to a manageable few (I’m never very good at that!) and
pretty soon it’s time to set off again.
The nice man at the desk suggests a vantage point for the fireworks and
we cross the street to Applebee’s for an oriental salad for dinner. I try to avoid chains when I travel but
sometimes you’re just too tired to care!
It’s been along day and it’s not over, so comfort is a nice thing!
It’s a “fer piece” to the fireworks and I really want to
find a way to include both the illuminated falls and the fireworks in the same
shot. Kind of tricky and I’m not too
successful but there will be another display Sunday night, so I’ll try it again
then.
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| In many ways Niagara Falls is like Las Vegas with the casinos and evening displays! |
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| When they start the fireworks the change the lights on the falls to shades of blue. |
Walking home we decide that we deserve to go back to Vinny’s
and have another of Luis’s concoctions.
Connie has a cosmo and I repeat that terrific coffee drink in hopes that
the caffeine will keep me up long enough to post this blog entry before
bed. Luis tells us that Niagara on the
Lake, tomorrow’s destination, was Canada’s original capital! And he suggests that we visit Inniskillin and
Pellers wineries, as well as Jackson Tree.
I guess he must have the same taste in wines as Tobi and Dean because
they, too, recommended the first two of those!
He also told us that if we buy ice wine we should make sure it’s made
from grapes and not some other fruit!
Apparently that has become popular.
Back to our home away from home, much happier after our
stop, and we settle in for the night.
We agree that breakfast will have to be earlier tomorrow and set our
alarms. Connie goes to sleep and I
continue to type. Sweet dreams!
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