Doug had been watching the weather reports and checking accuweather radar for a few days, so we knew the rain was coming. We hoped it would be enough to keep the crowd away, but it would be clear enough that we could enjoy Niagara Falls State Park, American side.
It was perfect. On the drive up to Buffalo, the dark clouds could be seen on the horizon as sheets of rain descended. Within minutes the frog strangler was upon us and continued for miles on the two and four lane roads through the countryside.
As we approached Buffalo, the rains receded as the clouds sat overcast.. Luckily we got a parking spot in lot #1 after enter the park. A "visitor center information" sign spread across the side of a building. While I got my "stuff" together, Doug headed to the bathroom. Well the visitor center was a tourist trap - food court, souvenir shops, "made in America" shop - we bought our souvenirs there. I felt cheated when I got into the park at the real visitors center.
This section of Niagara along Buffalo Avenue was a bigger version of Gatlinburg, TN - tourism! After our trip through the "visitor center information", we walked a block to Mario's NY style pizza and enjoyed a great pizza. As we were finishing up lunch, the rain began again. On with the rain coats, dropped the pizza and backpack at the truck and into the State park.
Niagara Falls State Park is beautiful; has walking trails, overlooks and greenways encapsulated by city concrete on one side, Niagara River Gorge and Canada on the other.
Walking down to the one of the observation platforms, we passed an eclectic group of people visiting the park - Asian, Indian, Arabic, German, Swedish. Very few southern car tags were in the parking lot - one each of Missouri, Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississippi and Virginia.
A busker sat on the side of the walkway down to the Maid of the Mist Ticket booths. His attire was left over from the 60s, anklet bells jingles as his feet kept rhyme, his hands brought an eerily hollow sound from the steel thumb drum that sat in his lap, while a wood drum sat at his side and a didgeridoo sat in front of him as the hollowing African sounds filled the air.
The lady at the ticket booth said it would be a 15 minutes wait. The only standing still we did was in the elevator for the 250 foot descent to the river.
Walking straight on the boat, Doug took off to the main deck forward port side. The Navy man made sure that we snagged a rail position for excellent viewing of the falls.
The rest of the crowd went up one deck and that was alright with us.
We quickly got used to the constant roar of rushing water made by the falls and river. The Boat horn sounded and we were off. The views were spectacular, a fine mist started as we passed the American Falls and the Bridal Veil Falls, continuing up the Niagara River Gorge to the Horseshoe Falls. I really didn't see much of the Horseshoe Falls. I could hear Doug laughing, hear the roar of the swirling water, feel the heavy mist, see the mist drops on my glasses and a blanket of white. The view was the nearest whiteout that I have ever seen. The misty drops from the falls, along with the jostling of the boat was making it hard actually maintain a view of the falls.
A gentlemen kindly offered to take our picture. This is in front of the American and Bridal Veil Falls.
I had tried to make a movie with my phone, then I thought, this is a waste of time, you're missing an opportunity to take pictures. Even though the rough waters made me keep one hand on the rail, I tried to switch my phone to picture mode, I thought I got it over, then Doug and I tried a selfie. I knew that there would be no picture (or movies) from the boat ride.
We walked half way up the stairs near the Falls for pictures, then back down to the exit elevator. Out on the observation deck, I took pictures and got Doug close enough to the rail for a selfie. A major feat for Doug was to stand near the rail.
As we exited the observation tower, moseying through the State Park Visitors center shop, I noticed that the shop was not very well stocked and a line 22+ people deep for two cashiers. Now I was sorta glad I had already bought my magnet souvenir across the street.
Back on the road to Honeoye, NY the dark clouds hovered over the horizon, rain dotted our windshield as the rolling, flat agriculture acres spread out on both sides. Interstate, toll roads, two lane, four lane and back to two lane, traveling with Doug Gouge is never boring.
We passed through a small town of Lima and the last day of their Bluesfest. Cars lined both sides of the street for three blocks, the smell of BBQ tickled our noses and blues tunes permeated the air!
Now we sit in our camper, which we still have not named, listening to the Christian radio station "Family Life", enjoying 63 degree weather. Another cool evening and night ahead - enjoying this trip!
