Road Trip 2015 Niagara Falls

After spending two days in Ohio, we headed across the western end of Pennsylvania along Lake Erie, into New York and to Niagara Falls.

Crossing the Niagara River going into Niagara Falls, NY

Shirley and I applied for our passports on July 3, 2015 in order to go into Canada from Niagara Falls.

We thought that would be plenty of time for processing. We were wrong! Our original photographs (taken by the passport people at the Hailey post office) were rejected. I took Shirley's and my photos and resubmitted but the passports didn't arrive in time to take them on this road trip. (Passports were waiting for us in the post office when we returned.)

As a backup plan just in case we didn't get our passports, and because we wanted to experience the falls up close and personal, Shirley booked us on a cruise with Maid of the Mist when planning our trip.

After getting through the Visitors Center, the first stop before boarding the ferry is this tent where everyone is given rain gear. If you don't stop here, you will probably wish you had. The Niagara River is the outlet of Lake Erie; flows over the falls at Niagara, and under the Rainbow Bridge connecting the United States on the right end and Canada on the left end, on its way to Lake Ontario (a total of 35 miles).

Rain gear is a one piece pull over (one size fits all) with hood. There are ties for the hood which came in very handy as the wind was blowing (there is a good wind created by the falling water as well).

Getting ready to board the ferry (there are more than one). The structure in the background is the elevator to the Observation Tower and back to the canyon wall and the Visitor's Center.

Passing by the American Falls. This falls is located on the American side of the Niagara River. At one time the entire stream could be diverted through a power generation station which would leave the falls almost entirely dry.

American Falls in the foreground; Horseshoe Falls (Canadian side) and Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada in the far right.

One of the Maid of the Mist ferrys (like the one we were on) returning from the Horseshoe Falls as we approach that falls.

Up close and personal with the Horseshoe Falls.

Collectively the American Falls (between Prospect Point and Luna Island) far left;

Bridal Veil Falls (between Luna Island and Goat Island) mid left; and Canadian Falls (between Goat Island and Table Rock) right; are known as Niagara Falls.

Tomorrow we travel to Victor New York and Palmyra.

Comments

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