Niagara Parkway "tour"

I can be accused of playing tour guide. But I can't help it.

There are many interesting items in the Niagara area - from historical events to natural sights. Even a casino or two. The falls themselves are a major attraction - with good reason.

The trip starts from the south at Fort Erie, ON. This is the mouth of the Niagara River (which makes me ask myself what the other end is called...?) where water flowing from Lake Erie flows northward to Lake Ontario and eventually out the St Lawrence River to the Atlantic Ocean.

Across the river is Buffalo, New York USA. It's kind of odd to look across the small expanse of water and think "that's a completely different country over there... just a few yards away...". However the current here is very strong and in fact the river is dotted with ice floes broken loose from Lake Superior and passing through Lake Huron and Lake Erie to get this far - and still not melted! The Great Lakes are going to be cooooold long into summer this year!

Once northbound, following lazy turns, the river widens and slows and some people are out fishing - even in boats on the river. Some people are so fanatical about their sports, I guess (ahem!)

As the parkway winds along, there are a mixture of old houses, generations old and new monstrosities (and some modern architecture thrown in...) on one side and the river on the other. There is a bike/walking path that parallels the road leaving the road relatively free of slow-moving traffic. The Canada geese are another issue entirely... although they are nesting this time of year, preparing to bear young.

One of the nice things, I think, is that nearly the whole riverside is one big park - you can pull off and have a picnic nearly anywhere along the river. (Watch out for goose poop)

The "south" portion of the parkway, from Niagara Falls to Ft Erie is usually less traveled than the "north" portion which is more "touristy".

(for those of you "from away", these are monstrous and expensive - because of the location (riverview) - homes)

Approaching Niagara Falls from the south, the mist from the falls hangs like an ever-present fog on the skyline.

But first, the parkway passes through the section of town called Chippewa - where there is a popular Tim Horton's donut and coffee shop with a parking lot full of cliche motorcycles. Tim Hortons are everywhere in Canada (Ontario especially) and and weekends the parking lots are usually crowded with motorcycles - for those who consider Tim's a destination and are into talking more than riding... however a good place for a rest stop and a warm up on a cool day..

Onward into Niagara Falls proper and on any day, but nice days especially, summer or winter, there are literally thousands of people. From everywhere. Almost every nationality and culture is represented annually - or more frequently. It is definitely a "must see" for visitors and it is possible to just stare and drink it all in for hours (if you could stop that long). The cascading water, the roar, the mist, the rainbow, the rocks, the deep chasm - it is all mesmerizing.

The falls are made up of two falls - the straight "American Falls" and the curved "Horseshoe Falls" (which is the one everyone thinks of when they think of Niagara).

I think the signs above the falls that warn of danger due to "sudden changes in water level" are hilarious. The drop is 165 feet (50 m) according to Wikipedia over the falls is certainly dangerous....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niagara_Falls

But I think what the signs are referring to are the changes in the flow as water is diverted to reservoirs for the various hydro-electric power stations further along the gorge.

The Rainbow bridge links Niagara Falls ON with Niagara Falls, New York.

Now instead of riding along the river's edge, you ride along a cliff edge. Next stop is the Whirlpool.

The Whirlpool is like a growth out of the river's route. The water seems to boil and surge and this is where swimmers drown, more so than going over the falls. It is said that bodies in the whirlpool can stay under for days. From the edge of the gorge, ice and even tree trunks can be seen caught in the swirling water.

And someone thought this was an "ideal" place to string a cable car across...

Next along the gorge is the hydro stations..

And the third Canada-US border bridge, the Queenston-Lewiston Bridge.

Queenston and its Heights are the proper start of the Niagara Escarpment (you can read the plaque...)

Queenston Heights was the location of an early battle between the US and Canada in 1812. (in fact the whole riverside or "Niagara Frontier" was a battle zone) As far as world history goes, the "War of 1812" was a mere border skirmish compared to the European Napoleonic wars of the time. However, it was a big deal here...

From Queenston the parkway winds again amidst Victorian-styled estates, and picturesque farms. The Niagara region is Ontario's "fruit basket" and grapes and wineries are very popular - you can't throw a rock without hitting one...

The Parkway finally ends in Niagara on the Lake - very touristy and post-card- like. It is home to the Shaw (George Bernard) Festival - live theatre - which is well worth attending.

1800's British garrison, Fort George, is a must for history buffs...

There lots to see and do along this route - so plan to do it several times!

Cheers!