By: MJ + PJ
Since we had camping gear we decided to camp at a campground about two miles south of Niagara Falls. We set up camp late afternoon and then drove and parked (cheaper mid-week than weekends) in the city area to then walk along the cliffs, staying for the night scenery and fireworks.
The next morning we got going early to pick up our ticket pack for the day, this including the boat ride, a 4D movie, a tunnel walk behind the falls, the Whirlpool rapids access, and free bus transport in the area (two days worth). They have got their ducks in a row at this attraction. We figured that if we didn’t fit one in, we could always do it the following (second) morning before departing.
It turned out to be quite a full day. Most attractions are within easy walking distances, and the public transport was easy to use. We started off with no ponchos, and ended up with six. The first one was red and that was for the Canada side boat ride. (the US side has blue ponchos – making the boats easy to identify as they take turns into the arc of the falls) The boat was a soaking and thunderous experience and MJ wondered why he did not wear his water shoes like the others. The blue ponchos were for the 4D movie in which you stand on a platform and get all sorts of treatments as you watch a panoramic scene unfold around you. Yellow ponchos were for the behind the falls tunnel, and these were found to be most needed. Early in the tunnel you encounter a platform which places you very close to the northwestern edge of the falling water. This gives you a good intermittent soaking during a constant mist making it very hard to take photos… that in itself being thoroughly comical to watch.
We recycled our red ponchos during the day for all activities so we could save the others for future use. This also made it easy to identify our family group since we were usually the only red ponchos on the other activities. Also, these unopened items are likely to come in handy for cheap rain protection for ourselves and for gear once we leave the country.
We had just about dried out when we caught the bus north and downstream to the Whirlpool Rapids area. Our allotted time was still an hour away, so we took a walk and found a quaint social district and a bar to have a rest and drink at. This was a sports bar that clearly usually only served beer. AJ’s Shirley Temple and PJ’s cocktail were a little off the mark! Back to the rapids area and we marveled at the speed and power or the Class 6 rapids seen through this section of the river. The stories of the not-so-fortunate were frankly terrifying – it would be better to barrel it over the main falls than try to navigate these rapids and whirlpool in any sort of craft (with or without a cat… another long story). Amazing to watch and fathom, the rapids were a highlight that photos do not do justice.
After the rapids, while we were waiting for the bus to transport us back to town, we stumbled across a Buddhist temple (Ten Thousand Buddhas – Sarira Stupa). We had a quick look around before the bus arrived. It was gorgeous and had a lot of sculptures and shrines.
We then cut a deal with our child to see at least one of the attractions on the tourist street. His choice was Ripley’s Believe it or Not, so we spent well over an hour there, satisfying all types of curiosities and having some fun. Then there was some down time amongst the brightening neon where we sat at Niagara Brewing Company. There was a quite talented cover band so we stayed and had some tasters and a cheese and fruit platter. AJ hit the jackpot earning dessert – a ridiculous ice cream flossy cone (cotton candy) thing from Sweet Jesus. These all seemed like a very vacation styled things to do!
The next day we headed back to the US of A, over the Rainbow Bridge once again to regain phone network service. For a few moments on the bridge, PJ and MJ were in the US, and AJ was in Canada. This reminded us of the Peace Park line on the far northwest coast.
