Slowly I Turn...Step By Step...Inch By Inch...

"So, I'm thinking," he says, "The weather today isn't that great and we're not that far away from it. How would you like to drive up to see Niagra Falls?" "Oh wow," says I, "I didn't know we were that close to it." "Well, we're about as far a drive to it as we are to Erie from home, so what do you think?"

Absolutely! I've never been. So, into the truck the four of us go. Puppies quickly laying down as they can tell we're going to be awhile. How they know this, I don't know. A couple of hours later, the sun breaks through and we're there walking about with the other tourists seeing an amazing site.

75,000 gallons a second! That's what slams over the falls. The roar of it all but drowns out the sound of talking. People from all over the world, speaking all sorts of languages, linger at the rail standing in awe of the power. You just don't get to see that every day, you know? This is Horse Shoe Falls from the American side. If you click on any of these pictures, it will take you to full size so you can see detail.

We watched as a bunch of visitors got ready to go on the Maid of The Mist as they've done for years and years. The only indicator of current times is that they no longer give you slickers to wear...now they give you a yellow baggie with a hood to drop down over your body. Eww. So not appealing to me. And so not like you see in those great movies from the 30's! I had a blast standing on the edge watching the boat bob closer and closer and then sharply turning.

The Scotties were rock stars and may have been photographed more than the falls! We were asked repeatedly and of course we always agreed. A man from Germany spent a good five minutes capturing them. Children asking to pet them. People stopping to ask about them or share their love of their Scottie with us. I was proud of them as they took it all in stride. Fiona is not much for being touched by those she doesn't know, but she let the children pet her. Rory never met a person he didn't like so he was always up for the lovin'!

The noise may have been a wee bit intense for the dogs...they seemed to be a bit overwhelmed and excited at various stages of our time there. But, as long as 'Dad' was there, nothing too much to worry about.

Michael knows that I didn't have the opportunity to travel much as a child. And, a great many of the touristy things that everyone else takes for granted, I haven't experienced. I love that if he has a chance to show it to me, he does. I wouldn't see these wonderful things if he didn't make them possible. Thank you, so much!

The American falls is impressive, but not as much as I would have been able to see had I been standing just across in Canada. Unfortunately, since it was a spur of the moment thought, Michael and I didn't have our passports so we couldn't cross over to see. Truly, Canada does have a better view of all of the falls so we'll have to go back and do that one day.

What I didn't know is that there are some lovely, less powerful parts to the falls...places and spots of some truly beautiful scenery. Calmer. More quiet. Picturesque.

Stone bridges in the mist to walk across and watch as the waters swirl rapidly in anticipation of the ride over the edge...

Quiet swirling pools where you can take a minute to cool your feet and relax a bit till you trek to the next sight. So long as you're a bird, that is...

And, if you go, don't forget to look down at your feet. It's so easy to get absorbed in the powerful show out in front, that you could miss some pretty nice things, just at the edge of the unknown.

When you go to someplace new, always remember to look up and look down. A word of advice from the new kid.

Namaste' Till Next Time,
Holly