The fall of 2011, and we decide to visit the mighty Niagara...
It was not a decision taken on impulse. That's a place I have always wanted to visit, right from the day I learned about it from my Social Studies book. And when all conditions seemed to meet, off we went and that too, driving all the way!
As we started early morning and drove along the roads, which was more like a fall foliage drive, we could not but only admire the plethora of colors that nature presented before us. It was a beautiful drive and even more so for me since I did not even budge from the passenger seat :)
With just a pit stop, we reached Niagara a little after noon and rushed to the falls area minutes after we checked in. It was the American falls which welcomed me from a distance and I had absolutely no idea that the 'Cave of the winds' trip would take me right next to this damsel. As we were given the raincoats, I actually contemplated wearing it, but no sooner than I put one feet out of the small cave, I realized why it was provided in the first place. Icy cold water from the falls were splashing upon us, and Ms beautiful was smiling from above. We could climb up the wooden stairs along the falls letting her soak us up. It was as if she wanted to show off her beauty and with each drop of crystal clear water falling upon us, we couldn't agree more. It was a dream come true for me. All I wanted was to see the Niagara falls, and there I was actually getting showered by her!
It was only early in the evening and we could have moved to any other attractions offered by Niagara, but we were so muck taken aback by the beauty of the falls that we chose to spend our time walking around the American falls. We walked to the Three Sisters Island, and to other points which gave us wonderful views of both American and Horseshoe falls. Once it turned dark, the falls were illuminated and that added to the spectacular sight. Had it been summer, we could have taken the boat ride at the time, but the cool winds blowing against one and the colorful trees made up for that miss. As it turned darker, the only sound was that of the waters and it was as if she was showing off even then trying to scare people ;-)
The icy morning took us to the adventure theatre which showed the story of Niagara - the legend, the myths and the miracles. The video was incredibly shot and the story of Lelawala, the maid of the mist, who lives in the cave of God Hinum kind of struck me.
And wasn't I thrilled when I got to know that the next trip was aboard a boat named 'Maid of the mist' which would take us near the American falls first and then the Horseshoe falls. I should say that this was when I really saw Niagara falls for what it was. I had not realized how mighty she was until we approached horseshoe falls. I took a glimpse and could not but bow to the majestic one. It was a sight which I know for sure will be with me for a lifetime. And know what, the boat actually crosses the US border and into Canada before it turns back. No one can say that they put their foot in Canada, but we were in all in Canadian waters then :)
It was time for a guided tour, we felt, and off we went by the trolley within the Niagara state park. As the driver explained the geography/history/geology in his own witty manner, am sure everyone had their ears glued and eyes moving! It was then that we saw 'the point of no return', the pedestrian bridge to Canada and the small streams which flow into Niagara.
We also made time for the Niagara Discovery Center museum which just didn't capture my interest. People who like geography might like it but then, we most definitely did not. Soon we made our way to the Niagara Aquarium. I really don't want to write that I saw fishes, penguins and seals here though I have already made the point here :)
It was time for us to bid goodbye but not before we took another glimpse of the falls and waved her our goodbyes. And there she was thundering, to be seen and to be felt... The trip had left us soaking wet, not just with the water from the falls but with memories worth a lifetime.
It was not a decision taken on impulse. That's a place I have always wanted to visit, right from the day I learned about it from my Social Studies book. And when all conditions seemed to meet, off we went and that too, driving all the way!
As we started early morning and drove along the roads, which was more like a fall foliage drive, we could not but only admire the plethora of colors that nature presented before us. It was a beautiful drive and even more so for me since I did not even budge from the passenger seat :)
With just a pit stop, we reached Niagara a little after noon and rushed to the falls area minutes after we checked in. It was the American falls which welcomed me from a distance and I had absolutely no idea that the 'Cave of the winds' trip would take me right next to this damsel. As we were given the raincoats, I actually contemplated wearing it, but no sooner than I put one feet out of the small cave, I realized why it was provided in the first place. Icy cold water from the falls were splashing upon us, and Ms beautiful was smiling from above. We could climb up the wooden stairs along the falls letting her soak us up. It was as if she wanted to show off her beauty and with each drop of crystal clear water falling upon us, we couldn't agree more. It was a dream come true for me. All I wanted was to see the Niagara falls, and there I was actually getting showered by her!
The icy morning took us to the adventure theatre which showed the story of Niagara - the legend, the myths and the miracles. The video was incredibly shot and the story of Lelawala, the maid of the mist, who lives in the cave of God Hinum kind of struck me.
And wasn't I thrilled when I got to know that the next trip was aboard a boat named 'Maid of the mist' which would take us near the American falls first and then the Horseshoe falls. I should say that this was when I really saw Niagara falls for what it was. I had not realized how mighty she was until we approached horseshoe falls. I took a glimpse and could not but bow to the majestic one. It was a sight which I know for sure will be with me for a lifetime. And know what, the boat actually crosses the US border and into Canada before it turns back. No one can say that they put their foot in Canada, but we were in all in Canadian waters then :)
It was time for a guided tour, we felt, and off we went by the trolley within the Niagara state park. As the driver explained the geography/history/geology in his own witty manner, am sure everyone had their ears glued and eyes moving! It was then that we saw 'the point of no return', the pedestrian bridge to Canada and the small streams which flow into Niagara.
We also made time for the Niagara Discovery Center museum which just didn't capture my interest. People who like geography might like it but then, we most definitely did not. Soon we made our way to the Niagara Aquarium. I really don't want to write that I saw fishes, penguins and seals here though I have already made the point here :)
It was time for us to bid goodbye but not before we took another glimpse of the falls and waved her our goodbyes. And there she was thundering, to be seen and to be felt... The trip had left us soaking wet, not just with the water from the falls but with memories worth a lifetime.
