Archive for February, 2009
(Click on pictures to enlarge)
Well today was another cold day. Somewhere around -10c, with a pretty strong wind, so it seemed much cooler.
A lovely lady from Melbourne Australia decided it would be a good day to tour, probably because she would be in a vehicle most of the time.
Drove her around the Niagara region in a nice Lincoln which kept us warm.
Well, I’m over the winter flu and back on the road again.
(Click on pictures to enlarge)
Last Thursday I ventured out into a cold winter day and took four nice people from England on a tour of Niagara Falls, Niagara-on-the-Lake and points between.
We even stopped by Reif Winery and they tasted some ice-wine. Liked it so much they bought a few bottles to take home.
It was a clear day, so the sights were bright and awash in sunshine. It was just the -10 with a pretty strong wind making the temperature feel even colder that made the day a little uncomfortable at times.
Niagara Falls consists of two regions: The Horseshoe Falls and the American & Bridal Veil Falls. The Horseshoe Falls are located on the Canadian side whereas the American Falls face the United States. These two are separated by the Goat Island. The Horseshoe Falls are 177 feet high. Actually the real falls are only 70 feet high, but the presence of rocks underneath heightens the effect.
The width of the Horseshoe Falls is about 2600 feet. Its counterpart, the American and Bridal Veil Falls combined is 1060 feet wide. Luna Island divides the American and Bridal Veil Falls. The actual amount of water varies due to the presence of two hydroelectric plants that pull the waters of the Niagara River into their reservoirs. Their siphoning, greatly affects the flow of water over the cliff.
Two days ago I took our European visitors on a little driving tour of the Niagara Peninsula, specifically to explore some of the 50 something wineries. 
My brother is a chef and very interested in exploring the authentic tastes and flavours of Canada. So far my visitors have been very impressed with the quality of the Canadian vegetables, meats, spices, and even the various types of beers that they have tried from different microbreweries.
We got going around 9:30 am to avoid the brunt of rush hour traffic and made our way west on the QEW highway on another day of perfect weather. We drove through the industrial outskirts of Mississauga, Oakville, Burlington and Hamilton, where they were particularly fascinated by the huge industrial complexes of Ontario’s steel industry. Just about 20 minutes south of Hamilton we turned off the highway onto local Highway Number 8, Ontario’s wine route, which follows the outline of the Niagara Escarpment.
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When most people visit Niagara Falls, they often head straight for the Canadian Side of the falls. But just across the Niagara River, in the United States, are some too-often-overlooked attractions and views of these majestic wonders. In the USA, one would be hard-pressed to differentiate Niagara Falls, New York from any other small upstate town.
Aside from a small collection of hotels and attractions around the falls, and the towering Seneca Niagara Casino, the American side of the falls has little to distinguish itself as one of the most-visited vacation destinations in the country. It is only until visitors approach almost the brink of the falls themselves where they see that the American side has many wonders to behold.
Niagara Falls State Park
The United States’ part of Niagara Falls is in the Niagara Falls State Park (sometimes called “New York State Park” or “Niagara Reservation State Park”). Started in 1885, the park is the oldest state park in the United States. It was landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted who was one of the initiators and designers of the Niagara Falls State Park – but he is better known for another creation: New York City’s Central Park.
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