Niagara Falls American Side

Saturday, June 15, Day 54 - Sunday June 16, Day 55

We traveled from the Rochester area the 60 miles or so toward Niagara Falls.  We didn't head out very early.  We stopped along the way, taking note of the beautiful day, reading about the Seneca Indians in the area, who were the most war like, sided with the British during the Revolutionary War, and finally signed a treaty.   Most Seneca live in Canada (remember, they sided with the British!) They live on reservations around Niagara Falls.  

We went through the town of Alabama. 

And we saw the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge.  The Iroquois is a league of six nations, the Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga and Seneca.   They are matrilineal and have clan mothers.  They live along the St. Lawrence Seaway and around the Great Lakes.  

We spent the night in a campground near Niagara Falls.  We wanted to stop early and be prepared for a long day of interesting sights! 

The next morning, we drove to Goat Island, which is where you park and walk around.  The parking lots were full when we came through and they sent us to a much smaller one.  It was also full, and it was difficult to turn around.  We were getting discouraged when we came around to the original parking lot  and found they had opened it again and there was plenty of room!  

We started today on the American side.   This is where you get a side view of Horseshoe Falls, the portion of the falls which is really on the Canadian side, and is most often photographed.  

This is not a zoom picture!  You are literally standing this close to the water!

It is just hard to describe the sensation you get from standing right at the waters edge, and watching this massive amount of water cascade over the falls.

This is a state park.  (Remember my list of the most visited National Parks?  Well Niagara isn't on it because it is a State Park.)


There is really nothing between you and the water.  No safety fences, guard rails, etc.  Just a short rock wall.

The Maid of the Mist Boats leave from the US and Canadian sides, go up close to the falls, stay for a short period and then turn back.  There are about three of them at any given time in a revolving path through the mist.

Just another view with part of the wall to give you a perspective on how close you are.

Here is a map of the area.  We are standing on Goat Island for the pictures above.  The area is in the lower right hand part of the map.   Then you can walk around and stand over American Falls and take a bridge across the river.

But first, a Niagara Ice Cream cone, filled with Vanilla Ice Cream with Caramel Swirl, Fudge Covered Pretzels,  Fudge Covered Peanuts, and Praline Peanuts.  Why not!

Here we are standing at the edge of American Falls.   In the background is the Rainbow Bridge to Canada.  A little closer, the cylindrical thing, has a viewing platform which goes pretty far out into the river for a better look at both falls.

This is not a zoom!

The view directly below us.

These nutty people have paid to put on rain gear and go stand under a portion of bridal veil falls, which is just an offshoot of American Falls.  There used to be caves behind the falls  you could enter, but they no longer exist.  The falls are receding at about an inch a year.  A lot of reconstructive work and blasting has been done to keep this area viable for tourists.

I couldn't resist this picture of a girl with her dog tucked under her arm, on her cell phone. The falls is right beside her.  One little twitch by this pooch and it will be a goner!  It's already hanging over the edge!

The viewing platform.  You can see the line of people waiting to go out on it.

This shot was taken upstream.  A lone sea gull makes a stand against the current.

There were two weddings I saw, both on the American side.  This little "funsie" pose didn't look very fun.  The guys holding him didn't look too steady!

But he survived and here he is with his bride.

The area around the falls is quite built up, particularly on the Canadian side.  Lots of hotels and casinos.  Here you can see both American Falls in the foreground, and Horseshoe Falls in the back.

And another wedding.  This girl was a real "pisser" and I wish the groom a lot of luck!

And we walked across a bridge on the river upstream.   You can see the edge of American Falls and the trees on the other shore.

This religious sect was quite visible throughout our stay.  I would have guessed Amish, but later they all got into cars, so I don't know what they were.

As we walked back to the car, we took one last look at the Horseshoe Falls and the area we had been standing in earlier.  This was definitely worth the effort to some see!