Niagara Falls, Part Canada

Passports in hand, we headed for the Rainbow Bridge this morning with the idea of seeing the Falls at Niagara from the Canadian side.

The Canadian Visitors Centre

has a huge exhibit showing the recorded history of the Falls all the way back to their discovery in the 1600's, as well as a bit of a geology lesson.

Then out the door, to be greeted by a stunning view of Horseshoe Falls.

We strolled along a wonderful wide, paved path that extends from the Canadian Falls to well past the American Falls. Along the way we had to take a photo for proof that we were there! Say hello to Grumpy and the Girl...

The Maid of the Mist boat "drives" right into Horseshoe Falls. Remember the blue slickers from yesterday?

Saying goodbye to Horseshoe Falls, we saw the American Falls come into view.

Grumpy was starting to get hungry,

so we stopped at Edgewaters at Queen Victoria Place. The building was constructed in 1904 and for years was known as the Commissioners Quarters because the Commissioners of Niagara met there for meetings. Now housing Edgewaters, the building retains much of its original structure, including stones gathered from downstream of Horseshoe Falls.

As you can see, some Sweet Tea refreshed us, with Brisket Tacos and an open-faced New York Steak Sandwich finishing us off….in more ways than one!  We were fortunate to score an outdoor table overlooking American Falls!

Leaving the Falls, we started North on River Road. A few kilometers north, we pulled off at the Whirlpool and Aero Car overlook. The Niagara River makes a 90 degree turn here and the confusing currents are something to see. The cables you see belong to the Aero Car that gives passengers a ride out over the river and then back to the starting building. D said "no way!".

The open car rides on three cables and is moved by another endless cable. nononono….

Niagara Peninsula Energy has provided a large Floral Clock as a way of saying Thanks to it's customers. Since 1905, the company has been providing reliable AC power, so in 1950, the clock was constructed using a mechanism built in 1903. The clock is 10 feet in diameter and sits on a clock face that is 40 feet in diameter, making it one of the largest clocks in the world. Each spring, the face is planted with 15 to 20,000 carpet plants and annuals in a pattern selected by the Niagara Parks Commision Parks Department.

Our day trip north ended at Lake Ontario, with the sun low in the sky.

Back at the motorhome in the thriving metropolis of Niagara Falls, we caught a glimpse of the setting sun.