With all of the mindless content on screens with which we have to entertain ourselves, it really is wonderful that humanity’s attention can still be held in awe by nature.
Families, couples, folks from all over the world, flocking to see water falling from rocks.
Making the effort to see sights like Niagara Falls in person is important. It’s good, it is. It grounds us.
That said...I hate people.
36” Telescopic selfie sticks, nylon wagons packed with screaming kids, slow walkers, crocs...insufferable.
I applaud you for bringing your annoying kids outside, I do, but please cut your toenails before wearing flip flops in public.
Okay...okay, I’m good, thanks...where were we...
We pre-booked the Complete Niagara Falls Tour which included both the Boat Ride and the Journey Behind the Falls.
One of the reasons we travel well together is because we’re not necessarily “tour group people”, but when the time calls for it, sure, lead the way guy-with-rubber-chicken-on-a-stick!
We were happy to have Niagara Phil educate us on the history and geology of the area and the absurd circus acts and stunts that have been pulled at the site.
He also knew the best places to stand for the best views and made sure we all had good spots on the rail for the boat ride.
The boat ride.
If you end up visiting Niagara Falls, this is a must.
On the US side they board The Maid of the Mist (elegance, class, sophistication), on the Canadian side we got on the Hornblower (selfie sticks, slow walkers, crocs).
Both boats follow the same exact path for the same exact amount of time and there’s just nothing quite like it.
Following Phil’s guidance, we scrambled on the Hornblower and made a bee-line for the port side of the upper deck.
Rail spots acquired, we put on our red ponchos as the boat departed for its 20-minute journey.
We got heavily misted by the American and Bridal Veil Falls, but that was nothing. Nothing! Approaching Horseshoe, the augmented barrage of the falls was intimidating.
It’s like that feeling when the rollercoaster is click-click-clicking up the tracks and for a split second, you’re not sure so you should be there...
But of course, you should be! The adrenaline takes over and the smiles persist.
We motored forward, water relentlessly cascading over the 177-foot-high edge above us and crashing to the surface with 2,509 tons of force. It was deafening and we were soaked.
The Hornblower may have a goofy name, but they claim to get closer to the falls than The Maid of the Mist and it sure felt like we were in it! Couldn’t hear, could barely see anything as we were engulfed in a firehose of mist...a total whiteout. AMAZING.
Mercifully, the Hornblower backed out of the falls and returned to port with a baptized boatful of shimmering humans in recycled plastic bags.
Such a cool experience. Cannot recommend this enough.
From there, we drip-dried rather quickly and listened to Phil go on about Annie Taylor and her cat as we walked to the tunnels.
We peered over the edge of the falls before taking the elevator down to an impressive tunnel system that led us to viewpoints from behind the falls and a platform at the base.
Such an experience to see Niagara Falls from just about every vantage point possible.
We left after our tour in the afternoon and had just over four hours on the road until we reached Sudbury for the evening...another car day on tomorrow’s horizon.
Keeping an eye on the fires in British Columbia and Alberta, it’s likely we may need to change up our plans and divert from Jasper and Banff. Either way...onward.
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