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Outpost:  Road Trip to Niagara Falls  |
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Nadine Bozek
Farmgirl in Training
48 Posts
Nadine
Aurora,
IL
USA
48 Posts |
 Posted - Jun 01 2009 : 09:33:35 AM
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Last weekend (Memorial Day weekend), Gary and I went to Niagara Falls.
It is not something we planned. It is something we did on the spur of the moment. We were driving to the Chicago Botanic Gardens, which are about an hour away from our house, when Gary turned to me and said, “We should of used this three day weekend to go to Niagara Falls”. I half-teasingly said, “Do you still want to?” And then my jaw dropped. Because right then and there, Gary did something very, very anti-Gary. He said “Let’s go”. Now to get the full understanding of why this is so huge, you must understand, that Gary is not a very spontaneous person. In fact, it could be said he is anti-spontaneous. Every thing has to be planned out weeks ahead of time with him. So you can understand why, when he turned the car around and started heading home so we could pack, I was astonished!! It didn’t take us long to throw some clothes in a suitcase, and within less than an hour of his initial suggestion, we were headed from Illinois to Niagara!!!!!!!
You might think we were crazy to spend one whole day driving up there, and one whole day driving back, just to spend a few hours at the Falls, but this is something I have always wanted to see. I mean, come on, Niagara Falls is the second largest falls on the globe next to the Victoria Falls in southern Africa. One fifth of all the fresh water in the world, from the upper great lakes, eventually cascades over them. It’s true the surrounding area has seen better days. Buffalo, NY is like a lost soul, wearing ragged clothing. Most of their factories have closed, and tourism is some of the only employment currently available. Poor Buffalo, with it’s brutal winters, steeply pitched roofs, paint-peeled houses, and grungy downtown area, has one fantastic jewel-like thing going for it……the powerful Niagara.
To make this trip affordable, we stayed at cheap motels, and ate the worst food ever, surviving on fast food, bags of peanuts, and anemic looking roadside restaurant salads doused with sugary sweet, slightly rancid tasting dressing.
We naively over-paid for a tour-guide package, which would have cost us half the money if we went to the attractions on our own. We doubted the sanity of the trip, when one of the “attractions” the tour guide bought us to was the run-down looking, open-all-night, mini-mart type of place, which he also called the Dare Devil “museum”. In the corner of the store, past the isles of day-glow-orange cheese popcorn, past the sour cream and chive flavored potato chips was one or two of the dust covered barrels people had used to go down the falls with.
Again, we doubted the sanity of the trip, when we waited over an hour and a half to ride in the Maid of The Mist boat, which brings you right to the falls, where you buck the churning water like a fishermen’s bobber. I was clutching my brand new camera under my raincoat, hoping against hope that the item I just spent hundreds of dollars on, would not be ruined by the mist and spray and humidity. And why oh why did I bring it on this type of trip anyway, when I knew it might be wet and WHAT WAS I THINKING?????? I have to be an idiot!!!!
And we really, really, really doubted our sanity when we had to wait in line over two hours for the “Cave in The Wind” attraction, which allows you to don raincoats made out of plastic as thin as the Saran-Wrap you cover Thanksgiving day leftovers in, and fun plastic foam sandals, so that you can stand on a platform directly under the falls. Yes. Many, many times, we had our doubts on trip, and wondered why we had come all this way, but, once we finally reached the wooden decks constructed for viewing, and were able, at long last, to stand within inches of one of the most powerful natural forces on earth, in that second, all was forgiven and forgotten. Smiles broke out on every tired face, which were now covered in the spray of The Great Lakes water. Joyful bliss was achieved as photos were snapped with the dramatic, thunderous water at our backs. Yes, it is nice to see the Niagara from the viewing decks above, and from the Maid of The Mist boat, but, here on the platforms, you are able to FEEL the Niagara, and, I have to say, FEELING the Niagara beats the hell out of just seeing it, any day. I could barely hang on to the rail, because the force of the wind and spray we as strong as being on an Alaskan Deadliest Catch crab boat. Ok. I don’t know that for a fact, because I have never been on a crab boat, but , the wind was pretty strong, and I felt a rush of pure joy, bordering on glee, when I felt the powerful water, which looked as if it was going to land on my head, and sweep me away at any moment. I actually wanted to cry. I liked it so much that, I had Gary hold my camera, while I went back on the platform two more times, to soak up the exciting experience. Yes, the feeling of raw, beautiful power was worth all the bad food, the hard motel mattresses, and the urban blight of Buffalo. For here, in this unlikely place, I experienced that feeling of being a small, grateful dot in a wonderfully vast, complex, and mysterious universe. I have to truly say, the trip, was now, at last, worth it.
Thank you Gary. Thank you Niagara.
So that was our Memorial Day weekend.
http://www.nadinebozek.blogspot.com
http://www.nadinebozek.etsy.com |
Edited by - Nadine Bozek on Jun 10 2009 04:41:27 AM |
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Amie C.
True Blue Farmgirl
2099 Posts
Finger Lakes Region
NY
2099 Posts |
Posted - Jun 01 2009 : 10:10:56 AM
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Now, come on! Is Buffalo really that much worse than Chicago? LOL You must have driven through the absolute worst parts. Believe it or not, I think Buffalo is on the upswing from where it was a few years ago.
But you're right - when you go to Niagara Falls, the falls themselves are definitely the part you want to see, not the touristy trap stuff surrounding them. I went with a friend in high school and her parents let us do the Cave of the Winds tour. It's truly unforgettable.
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prariehawk
True Blue Farmgirl
2914 Posts
Cindy
2914 Posts |
Posted - Jun 01 2009 : 7:13:56 PM
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Mmm...good ol' Niagara Falls. I went there once when I was about four or five years old. I don't think they had the Cave of the Winds tour then but it sounds awesome. I did ride on the Maid of the Mist and at one point, I was leaning forward to feel the spray from the water and almost fell overboard. At least, that's how I remember it. I also remember they had these "barrels" that you could get your picture taken in that looked as if you were going over the falls. That's about all I recall, being so young at the time. I do remember the sound the falls made--the most powerful rushing sound of water I've ever heard. I guess it was nicer back then, in the late 60's. But the good thing is, you got to see the falls and like you said, it's an experience that makes you feel insignificant yet wonderful at the same time. Nothing beats Nature to make us feel small yet grateful for the privilege.
Cindy
"Dog is my co-pilot"
Visit my blog at http://www.farmerinthebelle.blogspot.com/ |
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Nadine Bozek
Farmgirl in Training
48 Posts
Nadine
Aurora,
IL
USA
48 Posts |
Posted - Jun 01 2009 : 7:45:40 PM
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| Prariehawk, you are right, it was probably better kept up in the 60's. I still felt it was worth seeing. Everyone in America should see the Grand Canyon, and Niagara Falls at least once! |
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StarMeadow
True Blue Farmgirl
940 Posts
T
MI
940 Posts |
Posted - Jun 02 2009 : 06:42:21 AM
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| I went to the falls once on my way to the Adirondaks. Just saw it from the overlook...never did any of the touristy stuff. Would like to take my boys but I don't want the TOURIST junk...just the falls. Thinking we'll go to Tahquamanon in the UP instead. Maybe go through the Soo Locks and take the Agawa Canyon railroad tour. |
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kpaints
True Blue Farmgirl
1564 Posts
karen
cheney
wa
1564 Posts |
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Nadine Bozek
Farmgirl in Training
48 Posts
Nadine
Aurora,
IL
USA
48 Posts |
Posted - Jun 03 2009 : 04:51:26 AM
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Thanks Kpaints. I appreciate that.
StarMeadow, the falls themselves are nice, but you are right, avoid the touristy stuff. |
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vintagediva1
True Blue Farmgirl
1251 Posts
Michele
Brighton
Michigan
USA
1251 Posts |
Posted - Jun 03 2009 : 08:35:40 AM
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We get the itch to go to the Falls about once a year although we usually go to the Canadian side. Yeah, there is just as much touristy junk there, too but the Falls are definitely worth the trip. Last year we got upgraded to a room in out motel that overlooked the falls and we could sit in out room and watch the amazing light show all night.
If you go again, try Canada nd drive up the parkway to Naigara on the Lake, a lovely quaint little British type town with excellent resaturants and JAM Shops
My only problem at the Falls is controlling my sister who always feels an overwhelming desire to jump in. What is wrong with her???
Michele
www.2vintagedivas.etsy.com
www.stitchingby2sisters.etsy.com
Love that good ole vintage junk |
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Nadine Bozek
Farmgirl in Training
48 Posts
Nadine
Aurora,
IL
USA
48 Posts |
Posted - Jun 03 2009 : 11:22:01 AM
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| Vintage Diva, that is so funny about your sister who wants to jump in. I had a friend in high school like that. Every time we got to a high place, she said she had the urge to jump, although, she was by no means suicidal!! The little British type town sounds like heaven especailly the JAM shop!!!!!!! |
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NikkiBeaumont
True Blue Farmgirl
473 Posts
473 Posts |
Posted - Jun 10 2009 : 04:00:19 AM
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Nadine, what an awesome adventure! I absolutely love the fact that y'all went there on the spur of the moment. For some reason, that makes it ten times more special. I love how you included all of your doubts and questions about going and then had the a-ha moment at the end and it was all worth it! I bet you got some fantastic photos, too!
That thing about about having the urge to jump in. Well, that is the reason that I am afraid of heights. Not because I am afraid that I will fall but because I am afraid I will jump. Don't you just feel that tug, that drawing? Like jumping is what needs to be done. I'm not suicidal either, just a little too sensitive to the earth's magnetic pull. LOL!
Farmgirl Sister #554 |
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Nadine Bozek
Farmgirl in Training
48 Posts
Nadine
Aurora,
IL
USA
48 Posts |
Posted - Jun 10 2009 : 04:34:40 AM
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Thanks Nikki, I think that is the most spontaneous thing we've ever done. My photos of Niagara just didn't stack up to the real thing. Somehow, it was just too "big" to photograph......kind of like when I tried to take pictures of the Sequoias out West. It was hard to fit the whole tree in the view frame.
I actually am afraid of heights, but I felt ok viewing the Niagara. In St Louis, Mo., I had a panic attack at the top of the famous arch there! Real embarrassing!! |
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CountryBorn
True Blue Farmgirl
1545 Posts
Mary Jane
New York
USA
1545 Posts |
Posted - Jun 20 2009 : 12:34:25 PM
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Niagra Falls is beautiful, I agree that the Canadian side is probably a bit better than the US side. But both places have some really gorgeous views and the gardens in the summer are awesome. I love driving around the surrounding area, some of the homes and the towns are just so pretty. I don't think there is anywhere that you don't have the touristy stuff. But the area is really great.
MJ
MJ
There can be no happiness if the things we believe in are different from the things we do. Freya Stark |
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NikkiBeaumont
True Blue Farmgirl
473 Posts
473 Posts |
Posted - Jun 23 2009 : 05:44:09 AM
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Nadine, isn't it frustrating to try to capture and share the experience with a camera? I wish I could carry around the equipment to film IMAX worthy movies, but I just can't. HA!
Farmgirl Sister #554
http://alabamaheartofdixie.blogspot.com/ |
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Nadine Bozek
Farmgirl in Training
48 Posts
Nadine
Aurora,
IL
USA
48 Posts |
Posted - Jun 23 2009 : 08:58:54 AM
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| Nikki, It sure is!!! Plus I just got a new camera, and I am so frustrated with it. It is an SLR, so it is more technical than just a point and shoot. It has an "automatic" setting, but I'm not satisfied with it. grrrrrrrrr |
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Outpost: Road Trip to Niagara Falls |
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Road Trip to Niagara Falls
