There is a bug staring at me right now! I can't tell if its an interested look or malevolent, but it's antenna and eyes are straight on me as it is sitting on the top of my display; wait, it flew away.
Terri and I, are on our honeymoon at Niagara Falls. Might be a week or two late but we made it. We are in a very nice campground in Gasport NY; Niagara Hartland RV Resort. Relatively small, it appears that it was built in the non-farmable section of a farm. I really like it here and think the owners have done a fantastic job. About 40 acres of flat land surrounded by a pond, and a couple of frog bogs. The campground is about 1/4 mile back from a country road, and the entrance is a single lane path of crushed asphalt lined with stately oaks and giant willows. There are signs affixed to the trees welcoming you, or saying goodbye based on your travel direction. Sites are easy to get in and out of and the main campground is surrounded by forest. I have always felt at peace when listening to the wind blow through the leaves.
So, we got here about 3 days ago and yesterday we went to the falls. It was Terri's first time, which didn't seem right to me as I have been here 3 or 4 times I think. But I know a couple of them were on visits to my grandparents who lived in Boston when I was little. You know, take the tunnel out of Detroit, under the river, pop out in Canada for awhile and you are at Niagara. The campground is about 45 minutes from the falls and we set out at about 11:00 a.m. for our day of activity. After parking at the visitor center and deciphering the parking pay meter, our first stop was in the visitor center because they had restrooms. Yes it was me, It had been an hour.... We wandered around the streets at the visitor center and got our souvenir magnet from one of the gift shops. There were multiple gift shops and food trucks in
the area. Since it was hot we decided to eat in air conditioning at the Hard Rock Cafe. Better than the Hard Rock museum I thought. After lunch we strolled through the park to the fall entrance. You can hear it(them) before you see it. A deep rumbling noise that you can tell is unstoppable. Mist clouds began to appear through the tree branches in the park and the noise increased slowly. The air itself was becoming damp, like a heavy fog, and then we could see the falls. It is majestic, a true wonder of nature that should be a must see for all. We wandered through all of the paths that we could, taking pictures and videos, and now then just leaning against the rails mesmerized by the cascading waters. Can you imagine early humans when they discovered the falls, totally unspoiled and wild without the concrete and safety rails, how to adapt to live in the area? Or those who have lived in arid lands their whole life and see the amount of fresh water pouring over the limestone cliff edges?..... I do.
We had a great time, went on the boat that goes under the spray from the falls. Watched a short video on the industrialization that had occurred in the 1800's and early 1900's and the competition between Edison and Tesla resulting in Tesla and Westinghouse winning the contract. This was the beginning of electrification for the US and the world.
I think the best part was the Cave of the wind tour. The first stop on this tour is a museum of the falls and the video mentioned above. Then you are handed plastic ponchos and sandals. An elevator brings you down 130 feet or so and drops you off into a downward slanting tunnel. It is wet. Not rainy wet, but damp, damp that has been there forever. The tunnel is bisected with a hand rail and there are posters affixed to the wall on both sides. You can hear the falls a little but it grows louder as you make your way to the tunnel exit. The exit is heavily misted and wind is trying to blow it rapidly away, but will never be able to keep up. When you step through the mist, you are immediately overwhelmed by the sights and sound. Waterfalls across from you, next to you on both your right and left and a man made structure to allow you to walk through the roaring raging falls. Handicap accessible through this part. The structure is at the bottom of the falls, back from the main unbelievable cascade, but you will get wet from the secondary splashing as the 75,750 gallons a second splash back up from the rocks and spray across the viewing platforms. There are 2 side platforms that the adventurous must try (Yes we did). The first is under a section of falls that is sporadic as it bounces off boulders above. One minute nothing and then you are drowning. The second platform is next to a hollow in the cliff. The water from above falls, hits the boulders and is blown through erode sections in the cliff. Reminded me of being in typhoons in Japan.
It was a great day!! I have pictures and videos to share, but I haven't learned how to embed them in this platform yet. So forthcoming even if it is a dump onto Facebook.
Good night all
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