Archive for July, 2009
Go figure. One of the great natural attractions in the entire world. A Place where millions of people come to see the beauty, the power, the thunder and the fury of Niagara Falls and it isn’t listed as one of the New 7 Wonders of the World.
The Cave of the Winds trip takes you closer to the waters of Niagara Falls than you ever thought possible. You ride an elevator 175 feet (53 meters) deep into the Niagara Gorge. Then, clad in a bright yellow poncho and wearing the special footwear provided, you follow a tour guide over a series of wooden walkways to the famous “Hurricane Deck”.
I am often asked if the Maid of the Mist boat ride is worth it.
The answer is YES. There are many “rides” at Niagara Falls, but the Maid has been plying the waters below all three Falls since the mid 1880’s. It’s a wet ride, and you have to make sure your camera doesn’t get soaked (I use an Elements Cover e-690). At the very least, cover it with cling wrap and take a small tea towel with you to wipe off the lens.
The reason the Maid of the Mist boat ride has lasted so long is because it is a great ride. But, you do get wet as this picture taken July 15th, 2009 demonstrates.
Although not directly related to Niagara Falls, an official vist by the Emperor does require a mention. Even more so because I was directly involved in the visit as the driver for the Japanese media that arrived on the Emperor’s 747 in Toronto.
It’s been a colder spring but the flowers are finally showing up everywhere. In our garden you’ll find Bee Balm’s and Black Eyed Suzans bring some wonderful colour to Niagara.
5 Niagara Falls Facts
1. The height of the American Falls is 176 feet (53.6 m) while the height of the Canadian Falls is 167 feet (50.9 m). However, the American Falls has rock at the bottom making the actual waterfall 70 feet (21.3 m). The falls at Niagara Falls are not the highest in the world. The Angel Falls in Canaima National Park, Venezuela is the highest waterfall in the world at 3212 ft (979 m). It just doesn’t have the amount of water that Niagara Falls has and of course the proximity to population.
2. There are three falls at Niagara. Most people think of two, the American Falls and the Canadian or Horseshoe Falls. But the Bridal Veil Falls at 50 feet (15.2 m) wide is the third falls at Niagara Falls.
3. The amount of water that goes over the Canadian/Horseshoe Falls every second is 600,000 gallons (2,271,247 L). The amount that goes over the American and Bridal Veil Falls (combined) is 150,000 gallons (567,812 L) a second.
4. Lake Erie (above the falls) is 326 feet (99 m) higher than Lake Ontario which is below the falls.
5. Lake Superior is the largest of the Great Lakes and it’s also the freshwater lake that covers the greatest surface area in the world. Lake Superior covers over 82,000 km of land and there’s enough water in the lake to fill all the other Great Lakes plus three more the size of Lake Erie. The Great Lakes is the largest freshwater system in the world, or nearly 20% of the world supply.
You’ll find exciting videos about Niagara Falls by going here.
