Wednesday July 12 – Niagara Falls

Jackie and Lorne knew that we were going to the falls with the tour, but we didn’t know just what we might see with the tour, so off we went for a day of sightseeing. We didn’t care that we might see the same things twice.

We went first to the pretty town of Niagara-on-the-Lake. It is quaint, with beautiful gardens of bright flowers and contrasting vegetation along the paths, and flower pots hanging from light poles. The shops are small and exclusive – people come here for a special purchase e.g. expensive dress or accessory.

Stuart, Lesley, Jackie and Lorne

The houses are lovely and mostly well-looked after. We wandered around the shops, after visiting a bank to change our $100 notes into smaller denominations. Shops don’t like the larger note values! I bought some unique Christmas decorations at a Christmas shop – so family, expect at least one each for Christmas!

This lovely house is for sale!

On the way to Niagara Falls we stopped to have a picnic lunch of egg salad sandwiches, fruit and choc slice and biscuits. Delicious!

We passed a fort, where the British fought the Americans who were trying to take over British-administered Canada. Re-enactments of the event take place every year. The British defeated the Americans, and the provinces united to form Canada.
Canada is currently celebrating its 150^th year as a united country. Tributes to this achievement are everywhere, including in flowers.

We had a look at Brocks Monument (to the British Major-GeneraI Sir Isaac Brock, who led the victorious forces in 1812).

We met a St Bernard - name of 'Meatloaf

Niagara Falls is spectacular. There are three major falls, two on the America side called American Falls and Bridal Falls, and the other a little further down on the Canadian side, called Horseshoe Falls. The Niagara River divides to flow around an island before plunging over the cliffs. There was a lot of spray, and the day was cloudy.

Boat which go up to the Horseshoe Falls

We went to the IMAX theatre to watch a film on the Niagara Falls: the myths and stories surrounding it (including the folk story of the local First Nation people), and the story of some of the people who have gone over the falls in various vessels. Then we went into the little museum next door which displayed many of the vessels that were used – including a barrel by the first person, a 63-year-old female teacher in 1901 (she survived)!! Some of these people were killed in their attempt and some survived. Some did it multiple times! They all chose the Horseshoe Falls because the water falls into water, whereas at the American Falls it falls onto rocks. Cray-zee!

The first person to go over the falls in a barrel

Two hydro-electric power stations. The water flow is reduced considerably at night (can't destroy the tourist attraction during the day) to fill the reservoirs which feed the generators.

Flower clock