Ben and Katelyn: April 2008

WE ARRIVE AT NIAGARA FALLS

On Thursday, April 24th we arrived in Niagara Falls, Ontario
for a visit. We stayed at the Marriott Fallsview. Here is the
view from our room. These are the Horseshoe Falls.

The American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls are to the left. You
can make out a slight rainbow above the roof of the building
under construction.

As soon as we settled in, the kids and Mom headed to the
pool and hot tub. Katelyn and Ben loved the bubbles.

Up Close and Personal to the Horseshoe Falls.

On Friday we visited Horseshoe Falls. The roar
of the falls is amazing and the spray and mist made us glad we
packed our water resistant jackets.

Journey Behind the Falls

After we visited the top side of the falls, we journeyed behind the Horseshoe Falls.
Elevators descend 150 feet through bedrock to tunnels that lead to the Cataract Portal and the Great Falls Portal which is one third of the way behind the massive sheet of water. One-fifth of the world’s fresh water comes crashing down 13 stories to the basin below.

Whirlpool Aero Car

Our next stop was at the Whirlpool Aero Car just downstream
from the Falls.
The kids tiptoed through the tulips as we waited for our turn.

Katelyn is hanging onto Daddy for dear life.

High above the racing Niagara River, we were transported through the air in an antique cable car. Far below, the torrent of water abruptly changes direction and creates one of the world’s most mesmerizing natural phenomenon – the Niagara Whirlpool.

White Water Walk

Our next adventure was the White Water Walk.
We rode an elevator down 70 meters, then walked along a tunnel that is 73 meters long. The Boardwalk beside the rapids is 305 metres (1,000 feet or ¼ mile) and stairs lead to two observation areas at the edge of the River.

The rapids in this stretch of river are Class VI: Extremely difficult to successfully maneuver due to significantly steeper vertical drops and boulders. Usually considered unrunnable.

The ten to fifteen foot standing waves are not caused by boulders
or rock obstructions but rather by the sheer force of the water
being forced through the narrowing gorge.

Skylon Tower

We rode a "yellow bug" glass fronted elevator to the
top of the Skylon Tower, the tallest structure overlooking
the Horseshoe Falls and the American Falls.

View of the Horseshoe Falls from the tower.

View of the American Falls from the tower.

American Side of the Falls

On Saturday morning, we crossed the Rainbow Bridge
to check out the American side of the Falls.
Here is a view of both sets of falls from the bridge.

Canadian skyline. Our hotel is the left most building.

Terrapin Point--the western most point of Goat Island
at the brink of the Horseshoe Falls. See the rainbow?

More American Falls Views

Look! Another rainbow.

Cave of the Winds

We took an elevator ride down 175 feet into the Niagara Gorge. It was a short walk to the bottom of Bridal Veil Falls. Most of the boardwalk had not yet opened for the season.

It was nesting season for the seagulls. They were everywhere
preparing nests.

The base of the Bridal Veil Falls.

Bridal Veil Falls and American Falls up close

The Bridal Veil Falls are seperated from the larger American
Falls by Luna Island.

On the brink of the American Falls--kind of scary!

The temperature drop as you get closer to the falls is quite dramatic.

American Falls:Niagara Falls Observation Tower

Photos from the top of the Observation Tower.

Fort George-Niagara-on-the-Lake

We drove back over the bridge to Canada and went for a drive
after lunch. We came upon Fort George and decided to
check it out.
Fort George served as the British Headquarters during the
War of 1812. We saw a musket demonstration and got a tour of
the soldiers' barracks, the officers quarters, the jail and the guard
house.