Niagara Falls

It wasn't our anniversary but we decided we should see the falls since it was only a four hour drive north of here.  Everyone said the best viewing was from the Canadian side and, fortunately, we had packed our passports.

The falls are located on the Niagara River which drains Lake Erie into Lake Ontario.

We're early risers so we had no trouble crossing the border at the Rainbow Bridge right next to the American Falls.  (It was another story coming back across!)

After paying $20.00 for parking we walked through the Welcome Center.......

.......and emerged for our first good look at the falls.

Niagara Falls actually consists of three falls:  the American Falls, Horseshoe Falls, and Bridal Veil Falls.  Horseshoe Falls is the most powerful in North American falling 188 feet.

It's difficult to understand why 14 people have intentionally gone over the falls.  Some survived, some drowned and others were severely injured.

The American Falls, the smallest of the three falls, drop a mere 70 - 100 feet.

Tour boats from the American and Canadian sides get in close for a look at the falls.  On July 9, 1960 a seven year old boy, wearing only a life vest, accidentally went over the falls.  The tour boat Maid of the Mist got in close and threw him a life ring.  He was completely uninjured, becoming the only person to go over the falls accidentally and survive. 

Soon, we said good-bye to the falls and headed down river (which was actually north) to a beautiful little town called Niagara-on-the-Lake and the historic British Fort George.  We had to make the most of our time in Canada!