Yesterday is on my list of best days. We took the famous boat ride on Maiden of the Mist to the base of the falls. The day before, we had watched from the top of the falls as the boats entered the whirlpools, rapids and current at the base of the falls. But watching from above is nothing compared to actually being aboard.
Rainbow at the base of American Falls
We waited until about 6 p.m. to board, and were surprised to find there was no wait at all. Maybe the chilly late afternoon discouraged people or maybe it’s just a good time of day to take the 20-minute cruise. Whatever the reason, we were pleased, since we had previously noticed long lines.
The buildings, roads and landscaping around Niagara Falls may be worn and in need of maintenance – but there is nothing wrong with the falls! They tumble, rumble, create both mists and rainbows, and generally create a huge natural ruckus, just as God intended.
Surreal so near a rainbow nearing the bow of Horseshoe Falls
Ray and I were both thrilled by the boat ride. If we hadn’t taken it, we would not have really seen and experienced Niagara Falls. If we hadn’t waited until late in the afternoon we probably would have been crowded on the boat. We saw it so loaded earlier in the day that it appeared people had trouble finding a place to stand by the rails. As it was, we weren’t the least bit crowded and could walk around freely on the deck, although near the falls walking was a bit of a trick. I did not fall on the wet deck; praise the Lord, even though I walked across it several times.
When the skilled captains and their crew bring the open boat as close as possible to the roaring mighty falls, it’s a drenching, with the boat rocking and rolling and the falls at a deafening roar. I was sticking my wet iPhone up in the air in the general direction of Horseshoe Falls at one point, but I had no idea if I was getting photos, and at the time, I was so excited I didn’t much care. The experience is so awesome it’s a miracle I remembered to shoot photos at all. Amazingly, they came out much better than I expected.
We had seen from the top of the falls that the boats use what seems to be full power from two engines to remain at the base of the falls against the raging current. When the Maiden starts to turn, it’s amazing to watch the panorama that unfolds as the plucky little boat turns her side to the falls. It seems almost impossible that a couple of motors would provide enough power to come that close to so much power – 600,000 gallons per second falling from a height of 176 feet. Niagara is the second largest falls on the earth – second only to Victoria Falls in South Africa. One feels very small. At the very closest point to the falls, deep in the bow of Horseshoe Falls, the narrator on the boat announced over the roar, “Ladies and gentlemen, THIS is Niagara Falls.” It gave me goose bumps.
Soon after we began the trip upriver we began seeing rainbows over the falls. I don’t know if it was the time of day or if they’re always there, but the rainbows – so close and bright amidst aquamarine water and white mist, and below a bright blue sky dotted with white clouds -were incredibly beautiful.
Rainbows abound at the falls
So, yes, I liked the Maid of the Mist a lot. The men and women who get those boats up there safely again and again every day and make it possible for so many to see the falls from that magical place, have all my respect.
I also enjoyed the observation deck we crossed to access the elevator down to the boats. Ray didn’t share my excitement that I could look straight down at the churning, whirling river. He claims he has no fear of heights – only a fear of falling. My strong, silent, and stoic husband didn’t whimper or show any reluctance to walk with me on the narrow walkway high in the air, but he stared straight ahead and walked as far as possible from the edge.
Other things during our afternoon adventures included the Cave of Winds and the Hurricane Deck. We got wet again. Really, really wet. I managed, with my old creaky knees, to make it all the way up to the Hurricane Deck to get pounded by the falls. It’s much more than mist, as parts of Bridal Veil Falls are above and “raining” down upon the deck, and other parts are flowing beneath the deck and sending up mist and splashes from below. It was fun and we laughed and acted like two children playing in the downpour. Just like on the boat, my rain hood wouldn’t stay put, but kept falling over my face, so I pulled it off and looked like a drowned rat as a consequence. And I couldn’t have cared less.
After our water adventures, we rode the trolley back to the Discovery Center where we had parked. We chose the back car, which is sort of like a little trailer, probably without shocks. Oh my aching bones, it was a rough ride. At the Discovery Center we saw a short piece about the formation of the falls. Later, at the Niagara Adventure Theater we saw a more detailed movie about human history in the falls area.
In retrospect, we’d skip the cheesy simulated elevator ride at the Discovery Center. It’s boring, with poor video, so we could have saved the 8 minutes it took to experience it. It’s narrated and is supposed to be like a ride on a failing elevator. It’s not. It’s like being stuck in a slightly dirty overcrowded room with a bunch of strangers watching a 19-inch TV.
I hate to say it, but watch out for the bathrooms, too, in and around the Discovery Center and in several other areas of the park. They’re nasty with peeling paint and floors that look like they haven’t seen a mop in days – or weeks. Maybe the jobs that included picking up trash or cleaning bathrooms were eliminated by budget cuts.
We visited the aquarium and saw an entertaining sea lion show and some aquatic exhibits, but being from Florida and having visited many aquariums, it was very small by comparison. My favorite critters were the poison dart frogs which are, as the exhibit information noted, beautiful but deadly.
Poison Dart Frogs
Hurricane Deck
There’s a beautiful spot along the river just upstream from the falls in front of the theater. We noticed lots of people settling in there on blankets and benches right before dark. I’m sure they were waiting until dark; when the lights come on to illuminate the falls. I’m equally sure it’s beautiful, but we’ll save that for another day. We were exhausted.
We’re glad we came here now rather than later. There’s a lot of walking to see Niagara Falls State Park, and the trolley stops in general areas, but considerable distances from the falls and attractions. There are many steps or ramps, so I’m not sure we would have been able to see it all if we get much older or creakier. Niagara is a place to visit while one is still young – like us.
Wet on the Hurricane Deck
My knees are bound to complain tomorrow.
Carol Burt 