Lake Ontario is the eastern most of the Great Lakes. Next in line is Lake Erie. Lake Erie is 99 meter higher in elevation than Lake Ontario. This elevation difference is due to the Niagara Escarpment, the Canadian portion of which runs from the Niagara River to the tip of the Bruce Peninsula at Tobermory Ontario. The escarpment was formed because rock of different hardness has eroded at different rates over the millennia and formed this sharp ridge that runs more than 725 kms. Over this escarpment runs the Niagara River, starting at the eastern end of Lake Erie and flowing 58 kms before emptying into Lake Ontario. Along the way it drops approximately 57 meters over the Escarpment to form Niagara Falls.

The first recorded and documented sighting of Niagara Falls by a European was by French priest and explorer Father Louis Hennepin although it has been widely speculated that the first European to see the Falls was Etienne Brule around 1615. Theories differ as to the origin of the name. Some believe the name derived from the name of the local indigenous peoples, the ”Niagagarega”. Others believe in comes from the Iroquois word “Onigiara” a more romantic word meaning “Thunder of Waters”

TOP PICTURE : HORSESHOE FALLS (CANADIAN SIDE)

BOTTOM PICTURE: AMERICAN AND BRIDAL VEIL FALLS FROM THE FERRIS WHEEL

Speaking of romance, Niagara Falls (both the Canadian side and the US side) is now  and has been know as the “honeymoon capital of the World” for more that two centuries. The first two celebrity newly married couples to journey to the Fall area were Theodosia Burr, the daughter of then vice President Aaron Burr and her new husband Joseph Alston in 1801 and 1804, Elizabeth Patterson of Baltimore married Jerome Bonaparte, younger brother of Napoleon and they too spent their post-nuptial vacation in Niagara Falls. Thus began the reputation of Niagara Falls as the fashionable honeymoon and vacation destination it is today.

Shortly after arriving in Ontario, our immediate family, 3 daughters, requisite sons in laws and 4 grandchildren joined us. The kids were so excited to visit the Falls so off we trooped early in the day to enjoy the kitschy attractions of Clifton Hill, the gaudy, colourful tourist section of the area. We had purchased tickets in advance for the Niagara City Tours tourist boat which travels up inside the Horseshoe or Canadian Falls. Boarding the funicular tramcar, we journey down to the river’s edge, donned bright red plastic ponchos and climbed aboard the Niagara Wonder, the 700-passenger tour boat and away we went. We went past the smaller American Falls and the even smaller Bridal Veil Falls and soon we were right inside the Canadian Horseshoe Falls. Talk about your “atmospheric river.”  Wind, blowing rain and thunder. Everyone grinning from ear to ear. So much fun. Back on dry land it was time for pizza on Clifton Hill, go cart rides, Ferris wheel rides and a visit to the “Maze of Mirrors” A true Niagara Falls experience.

READY FOR THE ELEMENTS

Vicki and I had a chance to introduce our 3 daughters to this area about 17 years ago. To share it now with our grandchildren is an unforgettable joy for us and a loving gift to our family.  We have more special times planned with everyone while we are on this part of our journey. Dear Reader, please stay tuned.

CLIFTON HILL TOURIST AREA

“DRIVERS, START YOUR ENGINES”