OMG now that's what I call a waterfall!!!!

Well hellooooooo!! Have you missed me? Well, there is only so much you can write about my next stop so I thought I would lump  it all in together.  So here I sit, just about to go to bed on my second and last night in the wonder that is.....Niagara Falls!!

So, how did I get here...?  Well after a leisurely breakfast by the lake an bidding my farewells to Chip, Dale, Squirrel Nutkins, Shelly and her husband (the wonderful owners of Cloverleaf) and the adorable couple who owned the  General Store (soon to become restaurant) Vera and I were on our way. 

Now, as you have gathered by my previous ramblings, I have been finding the getting going (mainly the fuel) a bit stressful.  As has been the driving.  Well this time, there was none of that.  I was straight into the garage and filled her up like a pro.  Then it was on the road for the 300km odd drive to the falls.  And my philosophy was - if you can't beat 'em, join 'em.  So I did.  I weaved in and out of the traffic like a local, played chicken on the slip roads and turned right through red lights with reckless abandon.  There was only one hairy moment when I pulled off the motorway eventually (after passing about 500 signs for places to stop) only to find this one miles from the junction.  But not sat nags fault this time and I negotiated this with ease.  Vera and I were as one.

So the journey was as expected, single roads leading into double, leading into three.  Nothing much to note but I eventually skirted around Toronto and found myself picking up signs for Niagra.

And then I was there. I was excited to see my first view of the famous 'Falls' and I had picked The Oakes on the Falls, that boasts the only guaranteed views of the Falls.  I bloody hoped so, that's what I'd paid for.  I queued in line with the others waiting in anticipation to check in.  Key in hand made my way to the 12th floor and as I walked to my room I sensed all was not well.  It wasn't.  Mainly because there was a maintenance man working in there.  Or not as the case may be.  So, without entering and spoiling my first view I went back downstairs, patiently waited in line again and was promptly given another room just along the corridor.  Here we go.  I opened the door and there it was.  Wow.  Ceiling to floor windows with and indeed splendid view of the Falls.  Not just one, but two. Falls that is, the Horseshoe falls and the lesser talked about, but not less impressive, whatsit called falls. Ahem. It was definitely the money shot. Incredible.  (American Falls they are called I am reliably informed by my map)

So now it was time to explore.  I could spend hours of your precious time telling you in minute detail everything I did, but I won't (hoorah I hear you say) but I will summarise.  The Falls are why people come here.  So that is what you see.  Everything is geared to them, with good reason.  But as spectacular as they are, the resort itself is, in my opinion, trying to be Las Vegas but only really managing Blackpool.  Don't get me wrong, the people are wonderful, the natural wonders incredible and there is no lack of things to keep you amused.  But it's a little tired in places and feels a little sad. There is a Visitor Centre, Casino, a tower with the obligatory revolving restaurant and viewing platform and numerous hotels and restaurants, all just feeling a little unloved.  Which is a real shame as it is amazing.  Having said that here is so much more to this region with vineyards, Niagara on the Lake and much more besides (I have to admit I didn't explore but I didn't really have time) but the Falls overshadow it all.  Now it may just be that it is not the height of the season, and I would not want to come then as the crowds must be horrific.  This went in my favour as all the things I did were done with ease.  And here is what I got up to, in no particular order.....

Stared at the Falls, took pictures of the Falls, felt the spray on my face, walked the perfectly manicured promenade next to the Falls, rode the WeGo bus system up and down, used the Falls lift up and down several times, shopped for tat, took the incredible boat trip to the base of the Falls  (not the world famous Maid of the Mist as there was some sort of tiff and now they only operated from the USA side and Hornblower now have the contract for Canada) and smiled from ear to ear whilst getting wet and sweaty in my plastic poncho, went up the observation tower and ooooo'd and aaaaa'd at the stunning vista, stared at the Falls some more, took more pictures (with at least 50 attempts at each selfie with the Falls, I have no idea how I manage to get my head right in front of whatever it is I want to been seen by, I've done it all over the world), went over the category 6 rapids in a cable car, walked the rapids walkway and got so close they washed over my feet, felt the sun on my face for two whole days, ate a Vinny's American Italian restaurant twice with live music, awesome food, a free pint on the first night, and meatballs to die for on the second, slept with the rush of the Falls permeating my windows (and thinking initially it was the air con) felt the power of the water and marvelled at the beautiful aqua green colour, took more pictures, took the Journey Behind the Falls, wandering the wet musty tunnels, standing and looking at the back of the wall of water cascading down (albeit through a large open 'porthole') and then standing parallel with the cascading, crashing wall of power getting wet through again and loving it, marvelled at the constant Falls mist that covers the area and cools you in the sun, saw the mist and water light up in the night and looking like a volcano getting angry in the sunrise, walked some more, played 'guess the nationality of the tourist from their costume' game and won every round, took more pictures and just pinched myself that I was finally standing by one of the most recognisable natural wonders known to man.  The Falls were everything I thought they'd be.  And so was the resort. But just like Blackpool, I loved it.  Thinking about it, I thought the waterfall might be a bit bigger......

I jest, and now I sit, overlooking the hazy misty illuminated Falls and the USA just a bridge away, blogging on and contented that I have finally seen something I have been waiting years to see.  I came, I saw, I took pictures and soooooo wanted to go over it in a barrel.  Maybe next time.

And that was that.  Tomorrow I leave here about 6.30am to take Vera back to Toronto airport (when I know there is going to be a proper kerfuffle about the bloody bumper) and then I board my flight to what is essentially the last leg on my Canadian adventure (if you don't count the final night at a Toronto airport hotel and the fact that the last leg isn't even in Canada......)

So until my next instalment tomorrow from another infamous and instantly recognisable city on this planet, enjoy the pictures of the Falls from every conceivable angle and actually hundreds from the same one (they will appear eventually) and thank you once again for making me smile every time I log on to see how many page views I've had.

Until tomorrow my faithful followers, as ever.......TTFN xxxxx