The next step on our journey westward was Niagara Falls. I remembered seeing Niagara Falls as a kid and what an impression it made on me. The immense amount of power in the rivers and falls and the incredible volume of water that was flowing over the rocks at the edge of the falls was something I never forgot. I was excited to share this experience with our kids and the falls did not disappoint.
We got into Niagara Falls around lunchtime and decided to make a quick trip to check out the falls. The plan was to go to the American side of the falls since it was close and we had a free parking pass. Smith had been talking about wanting to go to a Hooters nonstop after seeing the movie “Big Daddy” a couple weeks ago. We tried to convince him that there were better restaurants. We tried to ask him how he would feel working at a restaurant called “Wieners” where he had to wear a Speedo. None of these tactics worked, so he continued to look for a Hooters in every town we stopped in. There was one in Niagara Falls and we heard about it… a lot.
As we got closer to the falls, we checked a map and realized that Hooters was actually in Canada. I nonchalantly said, “Do you guys want to go to Canada today?” That may not seem like a big deal, but that is a giant leap for Jared-kind. I pretty much stick with a plan unless I have time to form another one. We pulled over into a parking lot and dug out our passports and rerouted the GPS to the Canadian side of the falls. It wasn’t bad getting into Canada as it only took 15 minutes to clear customs. As we drove across the bridge into Canada, we could see it was a totally different story getting into America though. The lines were huge. This is why I plan!
We parked the truck and went walking along the rim of the falls checking it out. The views of the falls, particularly Horseshoe Falls, were extraordinary on the Canadian side. It is definitely more developed on this side of the river. It has a bit of a Vegas feel about it. The river and the falls still roared and I could sense the same amount of power that I had more than thirty years ago. Jamie and the kids were impressed by the falls as well. After we walked around for a couple hours, Smith finally got to go to Hooters. We thought one visit would cure him of it but both he and Archer loved the wings. Jamie and I did as well but we could have totally skipped the poutine (cheese curds and gravy) on our fries. Waze got us back into the U.S. over a different bridge in no time flat. I guess all that planning ahead is unnecessary?
We started the next day off with pancakes and homeschooling. Normally, Jamie works with Archer and I work with Smith. It has just evolved that way, probably because Jamie wants nothing to do with Smith’s math course. Smith and I did a fun science experiment with a candle and combustion and then I told Smith what sections of his workbooks to work so that I could go for a quick run. I found an awesome place to run on a four lane highway that was shut down so I had it all to myself. With no other humans in sight, my mind began to wander and all I could think about was how much it looked like a scene out of the Walking Dead. “Luckily”, Jamie sent me a text saying I was no longer allowed to run until I had Smith squared away with school. He was driving everyone nuts because he was goofing off and not doing his work. It didn’t take long after I called him to get him back on track. Do not mess with my runs…
When I got back from my run, Jamie said she needed to have some quiet time, so she went for a walk. We all get along remarkably well for spending all day together and living in tiny quarters, but everyone needs a little quiet time every once and a while to keep their sanity. The campground was a great place for a walk – our site was right on Lake Ontario. Jamie texted me while while walking that a full-time RV family that we used to watch on YouTube was here. After she got back, she grabbed the two extroverts (me and Archer) to go over to talk to them. They were super nice folks and Archer ended up playing with their daughter later. Funny how small the world of full-time RV families is. I guess it will get even smaller now that school is back in session and peak camping season is winding down.
After lunch, we went to visit the American side of the falls. We liked this side better than the Canadian side. It was in a park setting, so it was much less Las Vegasy. The views from this side were different but just as impressive. We took a boat ride up to the base of the falls on the “Maid of the Mist” sporting blue ponchos like everyone else on board. The boat ride was amazing. As we rode up the river towards the falls, the water became rougher, the wind and noise became stronger, and the spray from the falls became thicker. As we got up to the falls, the wind was blowing so hard that all the blue ponchos were slapping around and the spray was so thick that it felt like we were standing in a rainstorm. It is another great way to experience the power of the falls. Of course, the kids loved getting soaking wet, despite the ponchos.
I guess we should have expected the enormity of the falls since they are one of the seven natural wonders of the world, but we were still blown away. I hope that the kids remember as much about these falls as they grow up as I did. The falls made a big impression on me when I was a kid and I loved getting to share that impression with them. The ability to share experiences like this is yet another reason I love this trip.
