Wednesday, 6 September; Otto New York and Niagara

Boy are you in for a barrage of pictures today. 

It is beautiful this morning, warm and sunny.  We actually sat outside for a bit enjoying the view and the sunshine. 

Then we hit the road.  Destination today.....Niagara Falls.

It is about an hour drive to Niagara, but it is ok because it is pretty.  We went through Buffalo which was fun!

As we went over the bridge over Niagara River we kept seeing what looked like smoke or steam billowing up.  

As we got closer we realized that it was the mist coming up from Horseshoe Falls.

We entered Niagara Falls State Park and hiked around. 

We went over to Goat Island, down to the falls and over to the 3 sisters islands.

These people are getting soaked.  An awesome view I am sure, but we decided to pass!

We walked back to the car and moved it.  We were in a 2 hour lot and wanted to move to an all day lot.  Then, we decided to go to Canada.  US is on the top of the falls and the view is not as spectacular as looking toward them.  You will only get that view by either being in Canada or being on the boat.  Being on the boat also gets you soaked.  What wimps we have become in our old age.  We actually blamed it on Bella.  She would not enjoy being soaked and would not like being under the rain bag that they give you either.

So, with Passports and doggy vaccination verification in hand we headed to Canada.

Bella has become quite the international traveling dog.  US, Mexico and now Canada

There is a lot more going on on the Canada side then the US.  They have really pretty gardens and restaurants, hotels and other stuff.

They also have zip lining "Down to the Mist"

I was obviously as thrilled with the gardens and on the dry side as I was with the falls.

And of course the falls were beautiful as well!

This is American Falls and Luna Falls.  Luna is often call Bridal Vail Falls.  The boat is the American "Maid of the Mist"  They all wear blue rain bags

Close up of American Falls

Close up of Luna Falls

Horseshoe Falls.  The boat in this picture is the Canadian
Horn-blower.  They all wear red rain bags.   

 We wandered around a bit taking lots and lots of pictures

and then hiked over to Skylon Tower. It looks very much like the space needle in Seattle.  It is 775 feet tall has an observation deck, a summit suite buffet and a revolving dinning room. We decided that would be an awesome place for an amazing view and an early dinner.  It it was amazing on both counts.

This is a good shot of the mist rising from Horseshoe falls it can be seen from far away

Oh, before going up into the tower we had to make dinner reservations.  They have seatings and ours was at 4:30.  It was only 3:30 so the lady talked us into attending the 4D movie on the creation of Niagara Falls. The 4th D is "feel".  The feel was wind at us, mist and later rain and our seats kept jerking and vibrating.  It really didn't cover the creation at all.  It was goofy and Bella hated it. Speaking of Bella hating it, she does not like heights.  When we walked across the Rainbow bridge (connecting US and Canada) she was as far away from the edge as she could possibly get. Additionally, the elevator going up the tower is on the outside and it has windows.  She didn't especially like that either.
After dinner we went up to the observation deck and checked it out.  It was cold up there and we had already seen the view, but they did have plaques explaining things all the way around and that was nice.
We did a little shopping as well.  We each bought a sweatshirt.
So,  with full bellies and aching joints (mine, not apparently anyone else) we walked back to USA.

George VII was a king of Canada and they loved him.  He was a "Gallant Gentleman"

 

Rob is sporting the cool sweatshirt jacket that we each bought.

The border

We found the car and headed out.  There were a couple cool sites along the drive.

Once home we all went straight to bed.  It was a really great day!