Archive for December, 2008

The rush of the water tumbling over Niagara Falls has been going on for thousands of years. One wonders if it will ever dry up. From the far reaches of Lake Superior and its deepest (1,333ft-405 m) and darkest depths, to the busy ports at Chicago, Detroit, Toronto and its hundreds of small communities that line the Banks of the Lakes, it seems that there is a never ending supply to keep Niagara happy.
Read the rest of this entry »

I’m often asked about the sights available on the U.S. side of Niagara.

One of the great attactions is the Cave of the Winds …

To get the the bottom of the American Falls and the Cave of the Winds, you take an elevator 175 feet (53 meters) down into the Niagara Gorge. Then, covered by your bright yellow poncho and wearing special footwear that is provided, you follow the tour guide over wooden walkways to the famous “Hurricane Deck” below the Falls. Lots of great picture taking, and of course rainbows are usually visible day and night. The deck at the bottom of the Falls has been especially designed for handicapped and adults with children in arms.

(Click on picture to enlarge)

While there is no actual cave anymore, the original cave was a natural cave behind Bridal Veil Falls 130 feet (40m) high, 100 feet (30m) wide and 30 feet (9m) in depth. It was discovered in 1834, and guided tours began in 1841. A rock fall in 1920 made it clear the passage was no longer safe, and the cave was obliterated in a massive 1954 rock fall and subsequent dynamiting of a dangerous overhang.

The tour reopened in 1924, bringing visitors to the front of the Bridal Veil instead of behind it, on a series of decks and walkways. Tropical storm-like conditions can be experienced, as winds can reach up to 68 mph underneath the falls. Click here for more info.

(Click on picture to enlarge)

Here you see visitors climbing around the steps and walk at the bottom of the Bridal Veil Falls.

Be sure to check out the tours available in and around Niagara Falls. Winery, Niagara, Toronto and other fun and exciting tours are available.

Photographs on this page taken by Chuck Camroux

The Wayside Chapel is the only authentic Miniature Chapel of its kind in the entire Niagara area.

Located on the Niagara Parkway about halfway between Niagara Falls and Niagara-On-The-Lake, people from all over the world stop, take pictures, sign the guest book and yes, say their vows at this unique chapel.

I was taking some lovely people, who came all the way here from Northern Japan, on a winery tour yesterday and we stopped by the Chapel for a picture taking session. It is winter here, but not much snow, so things are a little gray and dull, but I got a great picture of the chapel.

The chapel seats six and has room for about 4 cars in the mini parking lot. According to a sign inside the chapel, it was built in 1969 by the Niagara Falls Christian Reformed Church. Other than that, there doesn’t seem to be any contact information.

I am somewhat disappointed in the condition of the chapel. It is looking somewhat rundown. Maybe this coming year they (whoever they are) will fix it up.

Photographs on this page taken by Chuck Camroux

In mid-November 2008, I tool these pictures from Table Rock located right at the brink of the Canadian Falls. It was a rainy, misty day as you can see.

First, the people looking at the Falls …

What they are looking at is the brink of the Canadian Falls …

Photographs on this page taken by Chuck Camroux

This picture was taken in late November 2008 from about 4 miles from the Canadian (Hoseshoe) Falls, looking overtop of the buildings in Niagara Falls Canada. The sun is coming up (it’s about 9:30AM) and the mist from the Falls is rising like the smoke from a large fire.

The wind was light that day, so it isn’t until the mist reaches many hundreds of fee before it begins to spread more horizontal.

Photographs on this page taken by Chuck Camroux