Maid of the Mist

Our next "thing to do" was Maid of the Mist. I mean, c'mon, after nearly 2 hours of driving to get here, we couldn't pass up this classic opportunity to see Niagara Falls UP CLOSE and PERSONAL!

Another thing, in case you visit...park at the Spanish Aero Car parking lot. Even though it's several minutes away, it's FREE parking!!!  We took a tram (which was not free, but cheaper than parking in a closer lot) that drops off people at various points of interest (map was shown in previous post). This was quite handy!

But before we do this, let's take a look at this hilarious snippet starring Jim Carrey from "Bruce Almighty" which was filmed at Niagara Falls..."Back to you....!!!!"

This is a view of Horseshoe Falls (Canadian side) from afar. You can see a couple of the Maid of the Mist boats out there. They look like little toys!

(from wikipedia's entry on "Horseshoe Falls"):

"The name is derived from its curving, horseshoe-shaped crest that is 671 meters (2,200 ft) in width. At the center of the Horseshoe Falls the water is about 3 meters (10 ft) deep. It passes over the crest at a speed of about 32 km/h (20 mph). The fall is 53 meters (173 ft) high...The depth of the river at the base of the falls, estimated at 56 metres (184 ft), is actually higher than the fall itself. Approximately 90% of the water of the Niagara River flows over Horseshoe Falls, while the other 10% flows over the American Falls.



The falls produce a large amount of mist, which occasionally renders viewing them difficult. The amount of natural mist has been reduced since the early 20th century by the diversion of most of the water from the Niagara River for hydroelectricity..."

You can also see American Falls (on the duh, American side; New York to be specific)...

(from the wikipedia entry on "American Falls"):
"The falls receive approximately 10% of the flow from Niagara River, with most of the rest going over Horseshoe Falls, from which it is separated by Goat Island. It has a straight line crest width of about 830 feet (250 m). If measured along the jagged lip of the falls, the crest is about 950 feet (290 m) long. The torrent of water passing over the crest of the falls is about 2 feet (0.61 m) deep.



The height of the American Falls ranges between 70 to 110 feet (21–34 m). This measurement is taken from the top of the Falls to top of the rock pile (talus). The height of the Falls from the top of the Falls to the river is 188 feet (57 m)..."

Here is TC and myself sporting these stylish blue ponchos that every person gets for Maid of the Mist. For those of you that are tree huggers, these plastic ponchos were supposedly "biodegradable"!  In the background is the Rainbow Bridge. I had my purse underneath my poncho because I didn't want my camera to get messed up. Bert used our waterproof camera for the upclose shots of the Falls.

The Rainbow Bridge is an international tourist site and connects the New York, USA side to the Ontario, Canada side...

Another Maid of the Mist boat with the Skylon Tower in the background. It's the tallest structure that overlooks both of the falls.

TC and I were chickens so we sat in the lower level to view the Falls. Bert was brave and was able to get good shots while positioned on the outer edge of the boat. I think he may have gone to the top deck as well. They weren't kidding when they said we'd get soaked even though we were wearing ponchos.

I'm so damn vain. After my face got sprayed with mist, I freaked out because I felt it on my eyes. I didn't want to have to redo my eye makeup even though I was prepared to do so!

Funny, ain't it? Seriously, I am not kidding you. Although my mascara was waterproof, my eyeliner wasn't. I actually brought my makeup with me just in case it got messed up. To protect my face, I ended up tying the hood OVER my face so that water couldn't get it. Problem was, it was hard to breathe!

View above is the American Falls...Below the boat is leaving the American Falls and approaching Horseshoe Falls...

The roar of the thunder was super load! Imagine being under that! Think of those crazy daredevils who actually used to go over the Falls in barrels! It's hard to image anyone surviving a fall from this! It was pretty amazing to be THIS CLOSE to the falls and to feel the power generated by this natural wonder.

Bert's face was completed soaked!

View of the Horseshoe Falls as the boat made it way back to the dock...

Another view of the American Falls...

I thought this sign was funny....uh, yeah! No shite Sherlock!

That sign should have been the cover of this album...

What's next you say?  Why, it's Journey Behind the Falls!