{"id":1851,"date":"2016-06-03T22:41:47","date_gmt":"2016-06-03T22:41:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/thewachs.com\/wachsacrossamerica\/?p=1851"},"modified":"2016-06-09T11:11:34","modified_gmt":"2016-06-09T11:11:34","slug":"falling-for-niagara","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/thewachs.com\/wachsacrossamerica\/2016\/06\/03\/falling-for-niagara\/","title":{"rendered":"Falling for Niagara"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Steph booked us a spot at Four Mile Creek campground just north of Niagara Falls. \u00a0It was a LONG day of driving&#8230;might have actually been a record day. \u00a0We left at 8:45am, only made 2 stops and pulled into the campground about 6:00pm. \u00a0We had more insane tolls and some of the worst paved roads I have ever seen. \u00a0The Robert Moses Memorial Highway from Niagara to the campground had grass growing up through the concrete highway&#8230;if I were Robert I&#8217;d be pretty miffed about how I was memorialized with that crappy excuse of a highway!! \u00a0But the campground was GREAT!! \u00a0Big grassy spots with shade trees and just a short stroll over to the shore of Lake Ontario with a view of Toronto across the water.<br \/>\n<a title=\"A little bike riding\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/136797225@N05\/27532474385\/in\/album-72157669475240585\/\" data-flickr-embed=\"true\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/c2.staticflickr.com\/8\/7334\/27532474385_51454de2ee_n.jpg\" alt=\"A little bike riding\" width=\"320\" height=\"240\" \/><\/a><script src=\"\/\/embedr.flickr.com\/assets\/client-code.js\" async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><!--more-->In the morning we decided to spend the day at Niagara Falls. \u00a0So we packed a lunch, loaded up the truck and drove off to the state park and when we arrived we found that the parking lot was full. \u00a0We called the park office and they said there was more paid parking available on Goat Island in lot 2 or you can park for free in lot 3. \u00a0Do you know which one I chose? \u00a0Ah, you know me so well! \u00a0There was plenty of room at lot 3 and also plenty of picnic tables for our lunch. \u00a0We did not have a map of the park so we didn&#8217;t know where we were or what we should see. \u00a0We could see the mist billowing up from the falls so we just started heading toward that on the very nice walking paths they have.<\/p>\n<p>We first came to an area called Three Sisters and spent a bit of time there. \u00a0Then we continued walking to a fork in the path. \u00a0We decided to take the lower path which seemed to stay closer to the river. \u00a0After about 100 yards we see chain link fence and a sign that says Path Closed! \u00a0What? \u00a0Maybe you should have told us up at the fork!! \u00a0Or maybe this is the Robert Moses Memorial Pathway!??<br \/>\n <a title=\"Path closed!\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/136797225@N05\/26923986383\/in\/album-72157669380603046\/\" data-flickr-embed=\"true\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/c8.staticflickr.com\/8\/7687\/26923986383_bbc0a7aaeb_n.jpg\" alt=\"Path closed!\" width=\"320\" height=\"240\" \/><\/a><script src=\"\/\/embedr.flickr.com\/assets\/client-code.js\" async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>So we backtrack and get back on the upper path where we run into the same chain link fence which is keeping us from this really nice overlook of Horseshoe Falls. \u00a0And, as if it were thumbing its nose at me, there was a big ol dump truck right in the middle with its bucket tipped up high to help block the view.<br \/>\n<a title=\"Terrapin construction\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/136797225@N05\/27498011756\/in\/album-72157669380603046\/\" data-flickr-embed=\"true\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/c5.staticflickr.com\/8\/7300\/27498011756_ef7be25f81_n.jpg\" alt=\"Terrapin construction\" width=\"320\" height=\"240\" \/><\/a><script src=\"\/\/embedr.flickr.com\/assets\/client-code.js\" async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>I was about to consider the day a flop but we decided to cough up the bucks for the Cave of the Winds tour. \u00a0I worked at Cave of the Winds in Colorado during high school so I felt I should give this one a looksy. \u00a0With each ticket purchased you get a free pair of sandals and a bag to keep your stuff dry. \u00a0We donned our sandals and stashed our water sensitive things in the bags\u00a0and headed down the elevator. \u00a0Then walked out to get our free ponchos&#8230;.or fancy garbage bags. \u00a0I forgot all about the cave part of the name once I rounded the corner and saw and felt and heard the falls. \u00a0Er mer gersh!!!!! \u00a0We were all grinning ear to ear as we looked at the mass of water coming over the cliff and pounding the rocks just a stones throw in front of us. \u00a0They have built these wooden decks out over the rocks and under the falls for viewers like us. \u00a0I could not help but wonder how the heck they built them&#8230;who gets the job of repairing them or repainting them? \u00a0There is one portion of the decks called the hurricane zone where you are basically in the falls. \u00a0The boys wanted to go so I went with Caden and Dacen. \u00a0It was thrilling&#8230;it was intense&#8230;it was loud&#8230;it felt hard to breathe&#8230;it felt very primal&#8230;I laughed&#8230;.I yelled&#8230;I got pretty soaked. \u00a0We met up with the girls\u00a0and Brielle said she wanted to go. \u00a0So this time it was all three kids and I going into the hurricane zone. \u00a0What an experience. \u00a0I tried to get a few pictures with the camera inside a ziplock bag (poor mans waterproof case) but they don&#8217;t do it justice. \u00a0 You have to experience it and I&#8217;m so glad we did!<br \/>\n <a title=\"Kids on the hurricane deck\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/136797225@N05\/27498009746\/in\/album-72157669380603046\/\" data-flickr-embed=\"true\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/c3.staticflickr.com\/8\/7474\/27498009746_c46364c30d_n.jpg\" alt=\"Kids on the hurricane deck\" width=\"240\" height=\"320\" \/><\/a><script src=\"\/\/embedr.flickr.com\/assets\/client-code.js\" async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>While on the Cave of the Winds tour&#8230;oh wait, I never told you about the cave. \u00a0That&#8217;s because I don&#8217;t know much about it. \u00a0I guess there used to be a cave behind the falls, or maybe there still is, but you can no longer go inside it. \u00a0But the name Cave of the Winds stuck. \u00a0Anyway, while on that tour we could see people on an overlook at the top of the falls. \u00a0So we went out to Luna Island to get the same vantage point and it too was really amazing. \u00a0The river looks and sounds so peaceful and pleasant up top then it all changes when it gets to the edge. \u00a0We also walked over to the observation tower\u00a0which normally costs $1.50 a person but when I went up to get information the guy said, &#8220;its free right now if you want to go.&#8221; \u00a0Heck yeah!! \u00a0I hollered over to the family and we all got in for free&#8230;woohoo! \u00a0We rode the elevator down and saw the falls from another vantage point then went up and admired them from the deck. \u00a0Very touristy but very spectacular.<br \/>\n<a title=\"American Falls from tower\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/136797225@N05\/26923991833\/in\/album-72157669380603046\/\" data-flickr-embed=\"true\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/c2.staticflickr.com\/8\/7080\/26923991833_0c568bc83f_n.jpg\" alt=\"American Falls from tower\" width=\"320\" height=\"240\" \/><\/a><script src=\"\/\/embedr.flickr.com\/assets\/client-code.js\" async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>We do not have passports (I accidentally let them expire and haven&#8217;t wanted to fork over the money or effort to get them replaced). \u00a0So we could not see the falls from the Canada side which we&#8217;ve heard is really great. \u00a0We&#8217;ll have to do that next time. \u00a0We considered staying to see the falls lit up at night and maybe see the fireworks but we were all pretty tired and we felt the lights would be better if viewed from Canada. \u00a0So we went back home.<\/p>\n<div id=\"flickr_72157669380603046_7401\"><div class=\"slickr-flickr-slideshow landscape medium \"><div class=\"active\"><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7450\/27498024866_35a33846af.jpg\" title=\"Three Sisters\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Three Sisters<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7693\/27255877260_83dacb3c30.jpg\" title=\"YEAH!!\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>YEAH!!<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7440\/27460060521_159870845b.jpg\" title=\"Billowing mist\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Billowing mist<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7302\/26923987923_c7d2bb2f19.jpg\" title=\"Mist\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Mist<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7687\/26923986383_bbc0a7aaeb.jpg\" title=\"Path closed!\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Path closed!<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7600\/26923984133_d9eb9ed13b.jpg\" title=\"Walking\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Walking<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7300\/27498011756_ef7be25f81.jpg\" title=\"Terrapin construction\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Terrapin construction<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7438\/27433457742_3c82f52c11.jpg\" title=\"Baby birds\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Baby birds<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7433\/27255873200_f22648592b.jpg\" title=\"American Falls\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>American Falls<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7200\/26923980643_a6168f3018.jpg\" title=\"Cave of the Winds tour\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Cave of the Winds tour<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7354\/27498010396_c5cf985be6.jpg\" title=\"Looking up at hurricane deck\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Looking up at hurricane deck<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7449\/26923979493_ba5482c776.jpg\" title=\"American Falls\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>American Falls<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7474\/27498009746_c46364c30d.jpg\" title=\"Kids on the hurricane deck\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Kids on the hurricane deck<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7511\/26923978083_ef0d037e2d.jpg\" title=\"Wet Wachs\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Wet Wachs<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7703\/27460058101_c001d1a28e.jpg\" title=\"A little wet\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>A little wet<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7343\/27498008546_fa37728b8c.jpg\" title=\"Tour shoes\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Tour shoes<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7347\/26923993383_d8ed5387fe.jpg\" title=\"Peaceful river\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Peaceful river<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7500\/26923973933_0bfaac227c.jpg\" title=\"Above Cave of the Winds\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Above Cave of the Winds<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7674\/27498006006_97eb2f5313.jpg\" title=\"Caden\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Caden<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7406\/27433456052_c120ff2853.jpg\" title=\"Overlook\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Overlook<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7292\/27532324145_c371a51fe5.jpg\" title=\"Head shot\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Head shot<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7347\/27255880470_d95b0029cb.jpg\" title=\"Top of American Falls\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Top of American Falls<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7318\/27498026266_ff5335b1a9.jpg\" title=\"Looking down at hurricane deck\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Looking down at hurricane deck<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7311\/27498004596_d0020cbb22.jpg\" title=\"Photographer\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Photographer<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7291\/27532322835_e0ee6595ce.jpg\" title=\"Top of falls\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Top of falls<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7170\/27498002966_c99f3ae6a9.jpg\" title=\"Looking over\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Looking over<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7376\/27532322025_7d6e7ba45e.jpg\" title=\"American Falls\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>American Falls<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7080\/26923991833_0c568bc83f.jpg\" title=\"American Falls from tower\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>American Falls from tower<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7355\/26923990723_21ca448025.jpg\" title=\"Steph\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Steph<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7329\/26923989433_c1a26bf0f6.jpg\" title=\"I Love NY\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>I Love NY<\/p><\/div><\/div><script type=\"text\/javascript\">jQuery(\"#flickr_72157669380603046_7401\").data(\"options\",{\"delay\":3000,\"autoplay\":true,\"transition\":500,\"link\":\"next\",\"target\":\"_self\",\"width\":\"\",\"height\":\"\"});<\/script><div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>After a yummy dinner the kids and I walked out to the edge of Lake Ontario and it was so pretty that I texted Steph to come out and join us. \u00a0We all hung out on the pebble beach throwing rocks and watching the sun set. \u00a0As the sun dropped lower and lower the scene just kept getting better and better. \u00a0God&#8217;s light show out did any colored xenon lights and Chinese fireworks.<\/p>\n<div id=\"flickr_72157669475240585_2474\"><div class=\"slickr-flickr-slideshow landscape medium \"><div class=\"active\"><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7637\/27256038150_1694bed8f3.jpg\" title=\"Welcome to NY\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Welcome to NY<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7206\/27460253251_67eb0e2901.jpg\" title=\"Ava and the Beast\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Ava and the Beast<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7334\/27532474385_51454de2ee.jpg\" title=\"A little bike riding\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>A little bike riding<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7315\/27460254621_669b4ea113.jpg\" title=\"Dacen&#039;s &#039;do and new shirt\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Dacen's 'do and new shirt<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7298\/27498205126_465a544d34.jpg\" title=\"Angelic Caden\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Angelic Caden<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7106\/27498204086_4b116129b5.jpg\" title=\"Lake ONtario\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Lake ONtario<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7644\/27532470565_6f1397bb74.jpg\" title=\"Great kids\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Great kids<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7048\/27498215236_dc24f9f275.jpg\" title=\"Can you see Toronto\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Can you see Toronto<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7734\/26924188773_07ed73d725.jpg\" title=\"Us\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Us<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7552\/26924187153_43ab1e821d.jpg\" title=\"Watching the sun set\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Watching the sun set<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7326\/26924186093_e76a493deb.jpg\" title=\"Caden\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Caden<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7708\/27433629222_c9602f58f1.jpg\" title=\"Rock toast\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Rock toast<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7463\/27498202116_a7b34cfb78.jpg\" title=\"Rock art\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Rock art<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7669\/27532483975_32bb7627fa.jpg\" title=\"Perfect sunset\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Perfect sunset<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7361\/27532465875_e204435d87.jpg\" title=\"Dacen&#039;s stack and picture!\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Dacen's stack and picture!<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7305\/27460259091_9b9a472b85.jpg\" title=\"My rock stack\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>My rock stack<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7687\/27256043090_d31489ec8c.jpg\" title=\"The sibs\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>The sibs<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7076\/27532481055_8e322e5acf.jpg\" title=\"Caden&#039;s rock art\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Caden's rock art<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7041\/27532464975_a9ff829f8a.jpg\" title=\"Cute fire hydrant\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Cute fire hydrant<\/p><\/div><\/div><script type=\"text\/javascript\">jQuery(\"#flickr_72157669475240585_2474\").data(\"options\",{\"delay\":3000,\"autoplay\":true,\"transition\":500,\"link\":\"next\",\"target\":\"_self\",\"width\":\"\",\"height\":\"\"});<\/script><div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Steph booked us a spot at Four Mile Creek campground just north of Niagara Falls. \u00a0It was a LONG day of driving&#8230;might have actually been a record day. \u00a0We left at 8:45am, only made 2 stops and pulled into the campground about 6:00pm. \u00a0We had more insane tolls and some of the worst paved roads [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_s2mail":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[62,61],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/thewachs.com\/wachsacrossamerica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1851"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/thewachs.com\/wachsacrossamerica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/thewachs.com\/wachsacrossamerica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/thewachs.com\/wachsacrossamerica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/thewachs.com\/wachsacrossamerica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1851"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"http:\/\/thewachs.com\/wachsacrossamerica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1851\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1855,"href":"http:\/\/thewachs.com\/wachsacrossamerica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1851\/revisions\/1855"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/thewachs.com\/wachsacrossamerica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1851"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/thewachs.com\/wachsacrossamerica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1851"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/thewachs.com\/wachsacrossamerica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1851"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}