I have never had a “Bucket List”… I want to see everything I can. But there are things I have always dreamed of seeing. Niagara Falls is one of the things I have always wanted to see. So I have looked forward to our visit of the falls for months.
Originally we had planned to go to the Canadian side to see the falls. When we got to the area multiple people talked to us about the difference between the American side and the Canadian side. People compared the two: the Canadian side is like comparing Las Vegas to a state park. So, we all decided we would stay on the American side and enjoy the falls, taking the trolley through the State Park; we would go on the Maid of Mist boat ride and see the view from the overlook. It was a good decision. It was nothing short of breathtaking.
The untamed beauty of Niagara Falls lures the over 13 million visitors a year.
As we approached the visitor center we could literally feel the power of the falls.
We purchased our tickets to the Maid of the Mist boat ride. This iconic ride promised to take us as close to the falls as we can get without going over in a barrel. J
When we approached the first falls, I found the mist refreshing. I remember thinking… “this isn’t bad at all”. Then the boat turned and headed toward the Horseshoe Falls. It felt like the weather pattern changed instantly. I am sure the people “driving” the boat were in total control. However, it felt like the power of the falls would suck us in. I wanted to share my thoughts with George and realized there wasn’t a prayer he could hear me over the roar of the falls. It was at this point I began thinking they needed to rename this tour from the “Maid of the Mist” to the “Maid of the Drench”.
A few interesting facts:
- Niagara Falls State Park was established in 1885—it is America’s Oldest State Park.
- Niagara Falls has the highest flow rate of ANY waterfall in the world!
- The falls have a vertical drop of more than 175 feet—crazy!
- The 3 falls, the American Falls, Horseshoe Falls and the Bridal Veil Falls all form the Niagara Fall.
- The average American would take approximately 7 ½ years to use the amount of water that goes over Niagara Falls in ONE second… over 750,000 gallons of water flow over Niagara Falls in just one second.
The water is a gorgeous blue/green, Aqua color.
The magnitude of Niagara Falls is almost impossible to describe.
The view from the overlook is breathtaking.
I was overwhelmed by the power of God and the evidence of His Love for us. God cares enough about us to provide this beautiful sight for us to enjoy. I wanted to soak up every drop of sunshine and every drop of water plunging over those magnificent falls.
We visited Niagara Falls with our friends, Tom and Sandy Burke.
Visiting Niagara Falls State Park is a memory that will last a lifetime. It is one of the places that we have visited that I would say everyone should see at least once in their lifetime.
