Les Chutes du Niagara

For years we have been tripping to Niagara Falls--les chutes!--to picnic, to bike, to trek Clifton Hill, but mostly to gaze in awe at the ever changing, always thrilling Niagara Falls. Here are a few shots from last Monday's 1 1/2 hour walk (while my husband was giving a seminar at a conference there) around the area.
A cool but comfortable morning it was as I took the walk from our hotel, through the Marriott where we had stayed a couple of years ago, by the magnificent Casino Niagara and down the curving street to the centre of attraction.
Here is a view of the American Falls across the Niagara River. I loved the play of the red leafed vine on the old reservoir in the corner.

I liked it so much I tried a few more angles, the one below with lush green grass in the foreground.

And this is a landscape shot where you can easily see the American side of the Niagara gorge--this is the longest undefended border in the world, quite a feat today, I think.

This is the bridge to the U.S., a shot I've captured countless times but which still calls me with its suggestion of human conquering of a wonderful wild space. Magnificent.

So popular are the Falls, both American and Horseshoe that every day of the year sees tourists from all over the world lining up for trips behind the Horseshoe Falls, eating dinner at one of the many overlooking restaurants, or even up in the Skylon tower, and getting soaked on the Maid-of-the-Mist boat tour under the Falls. Here is one of the boats taking its passengers back to dock opposite the American Falls, having survived the biggest thrill under the Horseshoe Falls. The famous blue raincoats, hats and heavy rubber boots are required if somewhat stinky wear.
Turning away from the water for a moment I caught this blue sky dominated by the Skylon Tower.

Being fall the abundant flower baskets are overflowing with colour all along the Falls walkway as though trying to compete with the natural splendour just a few feet away.

This is the Niagara River before it races over the Horseshoe Falls; the water level dams which slow the water as it approaches the Falls intrigued me as I know that a number of years ago the water was diverted so that repairs could be done to keep the Falls flowing beautifully and I wonder if this is part of the plan. Interestingly much of the water is diverted from flowing over the rocky Falls in order to keep them from eroding, but still providing a stupendous roaring sight.


This is my favorite picture of the bunch, I think, with its splash of sumac making the scene vibrate. Nature is the best painter!

On my walk back to the hotel I paused directly across the road and soaked in the sight one more time. What a treat. I wonder if the people living there forget to be thankful?

Of course I have written about the Falls before. For more pictures check out this link.