We began our long awaited and much planned Niagara trip on Saturday, April 29, 2003 at 5:30. The journey of 19 people began from Homestead studios and proceeded to Boston. We reached Boston at 6:45AM and took the Sunshine Travels to Niagara. We departed from Boston at 7:30AM and started our journey towards Niagara. Our first stop was at the 1000 Island. 1000 Island is about 5 hours travel from Boston.
The Thousand Islands is a pristine resort community surrounded by Lake Ontario, the Adirondack Mountains and the mighty St. Lawrence River. The St. Lawrence River, flowing in from Lake Ontario becomes in the course of a few miles, so wide and so full of islands that it was called the Lake of the 1000 Islands. To the Indians it was known as “Manatoana” or Garden of the Great Spirit. The river, 15 miles at its source, gradually narrows to five miles in width, and the islands over 1800 of them, vary in size from mere points of rock to those of several square miles in area. The most unique feature of the Thousand Islands is their proximity to each other where entire micro ecosystem develops due to their location. The entire area is heavily developed and private property punctuates the cruising grounds.
There are actually over 1,800 islands (1,864 to be exact) that make up the 1000 Islands region. To become an official part of the count, an island must meet two criteria: it must be above water 365 days a year and it must support two living trees. The islands are unique, offering a wonderful recreation experience that spans two nations. Each island has its own individuality with features such as stately granite cliffs, soft sandy bays, tall dark pines and vibrant maple trees—it’s a sightseer’s paradise. Many islands are privately owned but ample public access can be found at island parks and villages throughout the region.
For more than a century the area has been a Mecca for summer visitors. In the more distant past the islands were stepping stones between New York State and the Province of Ontario—in times of trouble between Canada and the United States, a place of refuge and a setting for disreputable deeds.
After the stop and Cruise at the 1000 Island, we proceeded on our tour to Niagara City and Niagara Falls.
We reached the Niagara City at 9:00PM and were checked into the hotel, TravelLodge. We started our exploration of the Niagara City at 9:15PM. We wandered about the Goat Island till 10:45PM. We saw the Bridal Veil Falls and the American Falls and had lots of photos taken with the colored illuminations. After venturing out for some more time in the Niagara Antique shop, we had our dinner in an Indian Restaurant (Rice and Veg Curry...yummy!!!!). We came back to the hotel and chattered on till late in the night. We woke up at 6:15AM and prepared ourselves for the next days adventure at the exciting place called Niagara. Our Tour started at 8:30 from the hotel and we proceeded to see the HorseShoe falls. The horse shoe falls is as the name goes in the shape of a horseshoe. It is approximately 52 metres(170 ft) high. The depth of the river at the base of the falls is actually higher than the falls itself. The river's depth is estimated at 56 metres (184 ft). The flow of water over the falls is estimated at 675,000 gallons. After taking some breathtaking pictures of this amazing place, we plodded to watch the ‘Cave of the Winds’.
Located on Goat Island, this tour follows along wooden walkways to within 25 feet of the base of the falls. An elevator takes visitors 175 feet through the Niagara rock escarpment to view the Bridal Veil falls from the bottom. As per the tour guide, the Cave of the winds was built ages ago and was built using hand held tools since there was no machinery during that time period.
After watching the Cave of the Winds, we went aboard the Maid of the Mist boat ride. The boat ride was the most exciting event. We went to the top deck of the boat and viewed the Maid of the mist though the open space! From the deck of the boat we could experience a whole new perspective of the mighty falls. Clad in a hooded raincoat (it's provided), we cruised right to the base of the American and Horseshoe Falls. Hear the thunder of the falls echo against the rocks and we could feel Niagara's cool mist on our face. The ride was the only way to fully realize the grandeur of the Great Falls of Niagara. Until you have seen Niagara Falls from the deck of the Maid of the Mist, you have little idea of the awesome power of that mighty falls. As the ship heaves and bucks, approaching closer and closer to the cascading water, all the passengers are completely enveloped in spray. The deafening roar, the spray driving against your face, the hammering of the ship's diesel engines as they force the vessel against the Niagara River’s surging current, make for an incomparable and unforgettable experience. With the mist enveloping you on all sides and in awe of your surroundings, this is the closest I think someone can be to heaven and be able to experience it!
Well, after this wonderful experience, we started on our return journey to Boston and Homestead. We reached Boston at 9:15PM and took the 11:00PM train to Framingham and reached Homestead at 1:00AM thus bringing an end to our wonderful, exhilarating experience of Niagara.
The Thousand Islands is a pristine resort community surrounded by Lake Ontario, the Adirondack Mountains and the mighty St. Lawrence River. The St. Lawrence River, flowing in from Lake Ontario becomes in the course of a few miles, so wide and so full of islands that it was called the Lake of the 1000 Islands. To the Indians it was known as “Manatoana” or Garden of the Great Spirit. The river, 15 miles at its source, gradually narrows to five miles in width, and the islands over 1800 of them, vary in size from mere points of rock to those of several square miles in area. The most unique feature of the Thousand Islands is their proximity to each other where entire micro ecosystem develops due to their location. The entire area is heavily developed and private property punctuates the cruising grounds.
There are actually over 1,800 islands (1,864 to be exact) that make up the 1000 Islands region. To become an official part of the count, an island must meet two criteria: it must be above water 365 days a year and it must support two living trees. The islands are unique, offering a wonderful recreation experience that spans two nations. Each island has its own individuality with features such as stately granite cliffs, soft sandy bays, tall dark pines and vibrant maple trees—it’s a sightseer’s paradise. Many islands are privately owned but ample public access can be found at island parks and villages throughout the region.
For more than a century the area has been a Mecca for summer visitors. In the more distant past the islands were stepping stones between New York State and the Province of Ontario—in times of trouble between Canada and the United States, a place of refuge and a setting for disreputable deeds.After the stop and Cruise at the 1000 Island, we proceeded on our tour to Niagara City and Niagara Falls.
We reached the Niagara City at 9:00PM and were checked into the hotel, TravelLodge. We started our exploration of the Niagara City at 9:15PM. We wandered about the Goat Island till 10:45PM. We saw the Bridal Veil Falls and the American Falls and had lots of photos taken with the colored illuminations. After venturing out for some more time in the Niagara Antique shop, we had our dinner in an Indian Restaurant (Rice and Veg Curry...yummy!!!!). We came back to the hotel and chattered on till late in the night. We woke up at 6:15AM and prepared ourselves for the next days adventure at the exciting place called Niagara. Our Tour started at 8:30 from the hotel and we proceeded to see the HorseShoe falls. The horse shoe falls is as the name goes in the shape of a horseshoe. It is approximately 52 metres(170 ft) high. The depth of the river at the base of the falls is actually higher than the falls itself. The river's depth is estimated at 56 metres (184 ft). The flow of water over the falls is estimated at 675,000 gallons. After taking some breathtaking pictures of this amazing place, we plodded to watch the ‘Cave of the Winds’.
Located on Goat Island, this tour follows along wooden walkways to within 25 feet of the base of the falls. An elevator takes visitors 175 feet through the Niagara rock escarpment to view the Bridal Veil falls from the bottom. As per the tour guide, the Cave of the winds was built ages ago and was built using hand held tools since there was no machinery during that time period.
After watching the Cave of the Winds, we went aboard the Maid of the Mist boat ride. The boat ride was the most exciting event. We went to the top deck of the boat and viewed the Maid of the mist though the open space! From the deck of the boat we could experience a whole new perspective of the mighty falls. Clad in a hooded raincoat (it's provided), we cruised right to the base of the American and Horseshoe Falls. Hear the thunder of the falls echo against the rocks and we could feel Niagara's cool mist on our face. The ride was the only way to fully realize the grandeur of the Great Falls of Niagara. Until you have seen Niagara Falls from the deck of the Maid of the Mist, you have little idea of the awesome power of that mighty falls. As the ship heaves and bucks, approaching closer and closer to the cascading water, all the passengers are completely enveloped in spray. The deafening roar, the spray driving against your face, the hammering of the ship's diesel engines as they force the vessel against the Niagara River’s surging current, make for an incomparable and unforgettable experience. With the mist enveloping you on all sides and in awe of your surroundings, this is the closest I think someone can be to heaven and be able to experience it!
Well, after this wonderful experience, we started on our return journey to Boston and Homestead. We reached Boston at 9:15PM and took the 11:00PM train to Framingham and reached Homestead at 1:00AM thus bringing an end to our wonderful, exhilarating experience of Niagara.
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