July 15th, Sunday – Niagara Falls, Maid of the Mist

I must say we are getting more unretirement like with each passing day.  Another day, another early morning for both of us.  However, it was for a good reason.  Today, we were going to Niagara Falls to ride Maid of the Mist.  It was a 2 hour ride each way, but what the hey, it’s only time, and time we always have a lot of.

It is, of course, Sunday and we would much prefer to find a place to worship but we haven’t been too successful as of late.  After a really bad experience in the past we are a little gun shy of trying other churches for just one week.  We both are looking forward to getting back to Florida and again having an opportunity to worship at what has become our home church.

But I digress.  Up and at it, we were on the road in no time at all.  A quick stop for breakfast at McDonalds.  Then it was down the road we went.  It really wasn’t that bad a ride and it didn’t seem as long as it actually was.

Once there, now the issue was – where in the world where we going to park?  The first and most convenient lot had a big sign in front that said Lot Full.  But wait, there was a park attendant standing guard at the entrance, pardon sir, do you happen to know where we can find a handicap spot?  Wait here he said and let’s see what I can find.  So off he went down into the full parking lot.  Five minutes later he was back There is just one spot down along the back wall.  Oh yea, did we ever luck out.  Not to mention from where we parked it was only a short walk to the park.  So here is Barbara at the entrance.

This is a display of the park at its entrance.

Soon enough we were at the visitor center.

Then it was time to get on line for tickets for the Maid of the Mist.  

Thankfully the line moved right along and soon enough Barbara was getting our tickets.

But wait there was one more line to get on, this was the line for the boat itself.  What was really interesting just an hour later when we were returning there was not one person on line!  I wonder where they all went?

And here is the goal, the Maid of the Mist, the boat is 80 feet long, it weighs 145 tons and will carry 582 passengers. But way back when the Maid of the Mist was not a sightseeing

boat at all.  As early as 1834, small boats were the only way to transport people across the Niagara River.  The Maid of the Mist I was launched on May 27th 1846. However, this large ferry boat service was short lived by the completion  of the first International Bridge.  So to stay afloat financially the Maid of the Mist had to take up the role as a tourist sightseeing service to remain viable.  And the rest as they say is history.

The most famous story told regarding Maid of the Mist involves seven-year-old Roger Woodward and his 17-year-old sister Deanne, both of Niagara Falls, New York.  On July 9th 1960, they set out on a boat ride through the upper Niagara River with uncle, James Honeycutt.  Unfortunately, the small boat they were in developed engine problems and the boat got caught up in the current and was swept through the rapids toward the American Falls.

Deanne was rescued before being swept over the falls.  Roger and James were not so lucky.  Both went over the American Falls to the gorge below.

The crew of the Maid of the Mist spotted tiny Roger Woodward bobbing up and down in the water. After eight minutes and three approaches, they finally rescued him by using a life ring.  He suffered only minor cuts and bruises.  Unfortunately, James Honeycutt drowned to death.

After all the lines, we waited on, it was time to get onboard.  Here is the boat in front of us being loaded.

The Maid of the Mist takes you up Niagara Gorge

Past the American Falls as seen here from the observation deck.

However, on the boat you get to go past the base of the American Falls – and yes the ponchos are needed because you do get soaked!  However, on a hot day like today it was a welcome soaking.

And then it is on to Horseshoe Falls and into the mist at the base of the falls.

 

 

Soon enough it was time to turn back to the dock.  Yes, just a short 20 minute trip but worth every minute of it.  We can now cross one more must do off of our bucket list.

By the way, here is the Rainbow Bridge that leads to Canada.

And the divide between American and Canada in the middle of the bridge.  After our trip on Maid of the Mist, we toyed with the idea of going over to Canada until we noticed that traffic heading that way was backed up and stopped to the middle of the bridge.

So another long day and but absolutely worth it!  We’re so glad we had the opportunity to go and so thankful how everything – including a place to park – just fell right into place.  We’re sure they’re was much we missed but this was a spur of the moment thing so perhaps another time we’ll come back with a better plan in place.  For now, though, no regrets whatsoever.

Better yet, we left the AC on since Marti was home alone and what a welcome relief when we got back home.  Hot indeed outside but oh so cool when we got inside.  Oh, we also found out when we went to pay for the AC – remember we were told there was an additional charge for AC – that there really was no extra charge.  What?  I’m not going to argue.  It is what it is.

So our day is done, a day done the way we like traveling along, singing our song, hand in hand.  Thanks for coming along with us.  We’ll bid you good night for now and hope to see you tomorrow.  Hopefully you had a great day as well.  As always a closing thought for each of us to ponder:

As always,  if you are coming to the end of your day with concerns and worries, let me suggest that you turn them over to God.  After all, He is going to be up all night so why not let him handle them for you.

Time now for our evening prayers and eventually some shut-eye.  Till tomorrow.

These are the voyages of  Graybeard and it’s occupants, four paws and two humans.  Our continuing mission: to explore as many new states as possible, to seek out new acquaintances and make new friends, to boldly go where we have not been before