This morning we left the house for Niagara Falls in the Maxima. It was around an eight hour drive to our motel in Niagar Falls, New York. We stayed at a Courtyard by Marriott thanks to a discount provided to us by Gwen Hart who is the Banquet Manager at Griffin Gate in Lexington. The Courtyard was built inside and around an old chocolate factory, the Niagara Chocolate Factory. It was a weirdly shaped hotel building, but it's a pretty cool re-use of space.
We went to Niagara Falls State Park, parked in a 20 minute only space because regular parking was $10. We walked about a half mile to the point where the Horseshoe Falls touches the United States. The sound of the water. The mist. The roar. The spectacle of it all was a bit overwhelming. Because we were in a timed space we didn't stay too long, but you don't have to be there long to be impressed.
We drove around Niagara Falls, probably where tourists don't go. Lots of poverty. Lots of shuttered store fronts in what appeared to be an historic downtown -- now abandoned. Our diversion was an in-your-face reminder of a country with enormous wealth and natural resources and also debilitating poverty, drug abuse and economic catastrophe. We came to see the Falls, but our eyes were opened in more ways than one.
Returning to the hotel to freshen we decided to eat dinner at the Rain Forest Cafe. It was a good choice. The food was average. The decor is a lot of fun. Our server, Sam (short for Samantha) was awesome. She grew up in Niagara Falls, NY and had always lived here. She told us some "life hacks" for things to do and how to get around. She was pleasant, attentive and delightful.
After dinner we were in bed before 9:30pm. Old age, here we come.
They say of the Falls, on the American side you feel its power and on the Canadian side you see its beauty. I cannot describe to you how close we were to the roaring water. Within feet. The raw power of that water was immense. HUGE.
Tomorrow is the Canadian side. I have never been to Canada. Looking forward to it.
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| The Rapids |
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| More Rapids |
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| Looking Across Horseshoe Falls from Niagara Falls State Park |
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| Rainbow Bridge in the distance, and American Falls |
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| Play Misty for Me |
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| So close to the edge of the water. So close. |
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| Seneca Nation, Niagara Casino |
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| Fruit Room, Rain Forest Cafe |
Peace and Love,
Jerry
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