Niagara Falls 2023

 Niagara Falls, NY

8/22-8/24 2023

Good Gosh have I been busy. 2023 has been tripped! Yet again I was blessed with a trip with Tulip, this time it was to Niagara Falls. As always, day one is all about the travel. We had a few slow starts as well as some other bumps in the plans, but eventually we were on the road and headed to our destination. 

Our first stop was the hotel, and then we headed to the Niagara Falls State Park where we got our first look at the falls. We would be staying on the American side for this trip, so we only saw the American Falls this evening. Here we are, the four chaperones. Me, Annette, Edie and Chris. This was a big group and we four made it work. 

We spent sometime just taking in the power of the falls, did some walking around the falls deck, took a ton of pictures of the guys and made our way towards the main street. We had hoped to get dinner at Hard Rock Cafe, but they could not seat all of us. That's fine we did got later during the trip. Instead we went to 1 Niagara place, which has a food court and lots of options. Most of us decided on Italian. I had this delish chicken parm sub. YUM. After dinner, we headed back to the hotel and decided to call it a pretty full day. Tomorrow is going to be busy. At about 10pm I heard fireworks over the falls. We couldn't see them very well, but we could hear them.  Years ago, when my older kids were very little and I was still with their father, we had made an unplanned trip to Niagara Falls, (this was also when you did not need a passport to go into Canada) we had gone and found this quaint cabin hotel that was family owned, we had front row seats to the falls, (Well sort of) but we did get great views of the fireworks. 

The next day, we headed back to the Niagara Falls State park. Today we were going to take the maid of the mist tour. This is an absolute MUST if you ever get to this park. (view of the Rainbow bridge to Canada).

We made it to the park and got our tickets then went up to the top of the tower. 

Just an FYI. This place gets insanely crowded during the summer months, so be aware that you are going to be standing in lines especially for this attraction. At the time of this writing the maid of the mist is open from late April  early May till November, but check the hours because weather if often the determining factors.  

Getting off the elevator and looking up at the tower we had just come from. 

First, we had to get our gear. Rain coats are that gear, and I have collected so many of these identifiable blue rain coats over the years, they need their own box. But seriously, I have done this trip multiple time, but no matter how many times, its still amazing. 

We had to let several people go before us since we had to take time getting everyone in their blue, which did give us first choice of seating on the next trip. This worked out well because some of our individuals needed seats, and Chris, God Love her, does not like boats that much, so she sat too. I of course had to be right in the crazy and got myself right to the boats edge. We had a man who is blind with us on the trip, and this was a unique experience for him. He too wanted all of the experience so we stood right by the railing and let the waterfalls intensity take us all in. 

I don't know if words can actually describe the sensations that this experience has. All I can say is it is intense. The boat gently navigates you past the American falls, you get a view of Bridal Falls and then you get closer to the Canadian Falls. (Yes the Canadians have the better falls and not enough American Pride can change that. I recommend that if you have a passport you take the short trip to Canada and get a view of these falls from their Observation deck.) 

As you approach the falls, you will begin to feel the mist and the water roaring will start to fill your ears. Any discussion with people on the boat will be made in yells, as the boat continues to chug towards the base of the falls. 

The boat slowly turns allowing all sides to get a front eye view, and you can feel the pressure the boat has as the force of the falls attempts to "spit " the boat out. ( My best description). The boat engine groans in an attempt to compete with natures push. The boat rocks and lunges and you are forced to hold on the rail. We are all blasted with water. There is really no escaping it, and I welcomed the wetness on my face, along with the experience. 

It is only a short time that you are in the "eye of the Storm" but it feels much longer as you gasp at the wonder of the whole thing. Then as soon as it caught you, you are pulling away. The engine sooths and the roar lessens, the water no longer raining down upon you. Goodbye sweet beauty, until next time.

 Even as you try to catch your breath from the awe of the whole thing your are making your way back to the docks and about to depart. 

Up next we got a trolly and road around the park. There are many stops that you can get off at including the Cave of the Winds tour, which takes you behind and in the falls. This too is pretty intense, but our group was unable to do it. There are wooden stairs that you have to climb and the water is hitting you from all around. We had people who struggled to walk and some that were in wheel chairs. This was not going to work for us. But I do recommend it if you can access these challenges. Below are some views from the trolly. ( I do have other Niagara Falls trips on this blog which have more details, pictures and history about the place.)

Up next we were heading to Fort Niagara. I had never been here, so I was excited to see a sight that was completely new to me. The trip to the fort was exciting, as most of the roadway ran along the Niagara River. We passed the power plant, which aids in powering electricity to places all over NY State. It produces 4.9 millions of kilowatts of electricity. That is enough to provide electricity to 3.8 million homes. Thank you water power. 

Once at the fort, we hit the visitor center first, and took in the museum. I will try and give a quick history lesson on the place. So....the fort was built in 1678 by the French. Originally the fort had many names and the structure and its buildings were built and rebuilt several times over the years. The fort was built to control access to the great lakes which provided access westward to the interior of North America. In 1688 the fort was abandoned after all but 12 of the commanded military had died from disease and the harsh weather. In 1720 the French engaged in discussion as well as fur trade with the Seneca and Iroquois people both creating a friendship and a trading post. 

Over the next few decades the fort expanded, buildings were created and in 1755 the fort was fortified to its present condition in response to the British's interest in taking over the area. This later became what we know as the French and Indian War or the Seven Year War. (I'm still confused about both) It was never a war against the French against the Indians, as it was the French and many of the Natives against the British. (I am severely lacking in awareness of this specific war.)

In July of 1759, the fort fell to the British after a 19 day siege called the Battle of Fort Niagara. The post commander had surrendered after French relief had been ambushed at the Battle of La Belle Famille. There is legend that there is a ghost at this fort and his name is General John Prideaux. He had lost his head during the siege and it is said his headless ghost haunts the fort to this day. We never saw any ghosts, but it makes for a good story.

The fort remained in British hands for the next 37 years before it was handed over to the Americans after the Revolutionary War as part of the Treaty of Paris in 1783. However, it remained British occupied until the singing of the Jay's Treaty and American force in 1796. (below is the original American Flag)

Through the rest of the Forts life, it had many uses it trained troops for the Spanish American War and aided in preparedness for World War I and  in World War II it was used as a German Prison camp, holding 1,200 German soldiers. After the war it was used as temporary housing for returning Vets. It served as part of the US Army during the Korean War and later was home to the 31st Artillery Brigade among others during the 1950's. The fort was officially deactivated in 1963. The fort is considered the longest continuously run military base within the boundaries of the United States since its control from the French in 1726. 

We explored the fort, but only for a short while. (each building has some interesting history, but we were at the end of the day, and the place was to close soon.) 

We did get to enjoy a firing demonstration. 

Overall it is a pretty interesting place. I learned that I need to brush up on several of these Wars that I do not know much about. I suggest if you do decide to visit, that you plan several hours to explore. There are so many interesting facts about each building and its significance. (There are 18 specific sites on the brochure along with some very pretty buildings, it really does not look like your typical fort. )

We left after the demonstration and closing time, and headed back to our hotel. We made it to dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe, did some evening souvenir shopping and called it a successful trip. Tomorrow we head home. Bedtime routines and generally to tired to make the trip prevented us from viewing the 10pm fireworks. Maybe next time. Until then, TTFN