The next day we headed towards Niagara Falls in New York State. It was again a 6 hours’ drive. In addition to that the region was still recovering from the wrath of winters’ heavy snowfall. Roadwork was underway at many places which was hampering the traffic. But we had no complaints!!! The road was passing through the scenic region surrounded by thick forests and miles long farms. Wind mills and bright red cheese barns were aligned along the road. The region was looking like a deer den as after every mile the boards indicating deer crossings were put up. That was very typical of an American country side.
On the way we got to see one of the biggest lakes we have ever seen. It was in Erie county of Pennsylvania and the lake was one of the five Great Lakes – Lake Erie. For a moment I took it as a sea, but then thanks to Google, we came to know what it is. This lake is fed by Detroit River and its outflow goes to Niagara River and then to Niagara Falls. It is so huge that its shores touch the borders of 4 US states viz. Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York and Michigan and the Canadian province of Ontario. But surprisingly it is the shallowest of all Great Lakes. Its outflow generates hydroelectric power that lights up parts of the US and the Canada.
Finally we reached the city of Niagara Falls. We were so eager to see the falls that we just dropped our luggage at the hotel, freshened up a little and headed straight towards the falls. We could see the mist of the falls pretty high in the air as well as hear the roaring sound of the gushing water from a considerable distance.
We first decided to take the boat ride, the famous Maid of the Mist. It is a thrilling boat ride that starts from a calm port at the Niagara River near the Rainbow Bridge. One has to go down in an elevator to ride the boat. The elevator tower is pretty high and it offers a splendid view of the falls and the Rainbow Bridge. It is the same bridge that connects the US and Canada. The American and Canadian flags were flying high at their respective check posts on the bridge. It was for the first time that I was viewing some international border. Do not know why but I got a bit emotional upon watching this.
We wore the rain coats provided by the staff and boarded the boat. The boat takes you real close to the falls hence rain coats are must. It passes past the American Fall and the Bridal Veil Fall, both completely inside the US territory. The sprinkles caused by the roaring falls water and wind, had already proved the necessity of rain coats. The light passing through this sprinkling water was creating an amazing sight of rainbows. Till that moment, the rainbow used to be a distant object one can only dream of touching. But here it was so close…. Within the reach of ones’ hands!!!
Beauty in the Mist - III
Beauty in the Mist - I
On the way we got to see one of the biggest lakes we have ever seen. It was in Erie county of Pennsylvania and the lake was one of the five Great Lakes – Lake Erie. For a moment I took it as a sea, but then thanks to Google, we came to know what it is. This lake is fed by Detroit River and its outflow goes to Niagara River and then to Niagara Falls. It is so huge that its shores touch the borders of 4 US states viz. Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York and Michigan and the Canadian province of Ontario. But surprisingly it is the shallowest of all Great Lakes. Its outflow generates hydroelectric power that lights up parts of the US and the Canada.
We first decided to take the boat ride, the famous Maid of the Mist. It is a thrilling boat ride that starts from a calm port at the Niagara River near the Rainbow Bridge. One has to go down in an elevator to ride the boat. The elevator tower is pretty high and it offers a splendid view of the falls and the Rainbow Bridge. It is the same bridge that connects the US and Canada. The American and Canadian flags were flying high at their respective check posts on the bridge. It was for the first time that I was viewing some international border. Do not know why but I got a bit emotional upon watching this.
We wore the rain coats provided by the staff and boarded the boat. The boat takes you real close to the falls hence rain coats are must. It passes past the American Fall and the Bridal Veil Fall, both completely inside the US territory. The sprinkles caused by the roaring falls water and wind, had already proved the necessity of rain coats. The light passing through this sprinkling water was creating an amazing sight of rainbows. Till that moment, the rainbow used to be a distant object one can only dream of touching. But here it was so close…. Within the reach of ones’ hands!!!
Beauty in the Mist - III
Beauty in the Mist - I