Sullivan, Clinton and Broadhead Trail 1779

Day 17: September 19th, 2000 Buffalo (Niagara Falls)

I discovered a Denny’s along the road on my yesterdays search. This is my place for breakfast today. Then I take the same route to Niagara Falls like yesterday. First I will do the boat tour. But to reach the landing stage I have to go via the Observation Tower. There I have to pay an entrance fee of 50 Cents. My plan was to do the boat ride first with my underwater case for the camera and then do the trip to the Observation Tower with my tripod. But when I leave the Tower I have to pay another entrance fee (also on the same day) — this shows me that I have reached the tourist area.

I walk to the elevator which takes me down to the river. There I pay the boat fee of $8.50. But now I have luck. I go straight to the top deck and find a spot directly in the middle. This is perfect for my video taping.

When entering the vessel everyone receives a poncho. Looking at the people of the previous ride it is very obvious that you should use it. But it is not easy to put the poncho on in the heavy wind carrying camera and photo. But eventually I made it.

The journey starts and the first destination is American Falls. This is the smaller fall a little to the side where “only” 10 percent of the water is flowing. But you already feel the power of the water in the mist. I am glad to have my underwater case for the camera.

Then the vessel “Maid of the Mist” travels on to the Horseshoe Falls. They are already on the Canadian side and are the ones usually referred as the Niagara Falls. They have a height of 167ft and during peak season 225.000 cubic feet of water are running down the falls!

But this is only half of the original amount of water. The other half will be used to generate energy for the adjacent cities on the Canadian and American side. During the night the amount of water will be reduced further. The capacity of the power plant would be even enough to completely shut down the falls.

The water originates from four of the five big lakes: Erie, Huron, Michigan und Superior. This giant amount of water was the reason why the falls were progressing upriver around 3 feet per year. By reducing the amount of water the progress is reduced to around 1 foot per year.

When reaching the main falls it almost feels like standing in the rain by only being in the mist of these falls. This boat ride is definitely one thing that has to be done when visiting the falls.

Back at the landing stage I walk immediately back to my car to check the video tape. But this is a big disappointment: Only the beginning is usable. When the boat has left I have hold the camera case in a way that started the camera to zoom in . But I was not able to see the control monitor during the ride. Therefore I have not seen that this has happened. But I don’t want to do the boat ride again, espcecially because it is getting really crowded now.

American Falls, Niagara Falls, NY

Niagara River, Niagara Falls, NY

Niagara River, Niagara Falls, NY

American Falls, Niagara Falls, NY

American Falls and Rainbow Bridge, Niagara Falls, NY

Bridal Veil Falls, Niagara Falls, NY

American Falls and Rainbow Bridge, Niagara Falls, NY

American Falls and Rainbow Bridge, Niagara Falls, NY

Now it’s time for me to visit the falls by foot. I start with the American Falls. They also have a nice side fall called the Bridal Veil Falls.

Horseshoe Falls, Niagara Falls, NY

Horseshoe Falls, Niagara Falls, NY

Then I hike on to the Horseshoe Falls on the American side.

American Falls and Rainbow Bridge, Niagara Falls, NY

Next is the hike to Canada. I have to cross the Rainbow Bridge which got its name from the rainbow you usually see due to the mist.

Horseshoe Falls, Niagara Falls, ON

American Falls and Rainbow Bridge, Niagara Falls, ON

American Falls, Niagara Falls, ON

The entrance to Canada is easy. No questions like at the US Immigration. And from the Canadian side I have real great views of the American and Horseshoe Falls.

Comparing the views from both countries I have the impression that you only have seen Niagara Falls if you have been on the Canadian side.

I had the luck that many people already have told me to visit the Canadian side before I started the journey.

American Falls, Niagara Falls, ON

American Falls, Niagara Falls, ON

American Falls, Niagara Falls, ON

American Falls, Niagara Falls, ON

American Falls, Niagara Falls, ON

I spend the whole day here taking pictures and video taping. I arrive back at my car around 5pm. The weather was great for the whole day. The sun was shining and it was really warm. I had a nice chat with the lady from the tourist shop around noon. She told me that the weather was bad and cold at the weekend when I originally planned to be there. I am really glad that I have changed my plans.

I arrive at my Motel around 7pm. I drive on immediately to search for a nice restaurant. This time I try the Scotch ’n Sirloin. The name is promising — the prices aren’t. This is my most expensive dinner of the whole journey. But I have to admit that this steak is worth the extra Dollar. I drive back to my Motel around 8pm.