Toronto is on the north-western edge of Lake Ontario and it was a fairly long drive through Mississuaga, Oakville, Burlington, Hamilton and Lincoln before we reached the Niagara Falls area on the South-Western edge. Our first stop however was Niagara Teaching College where we visited the winery. Incidentally, the Niagara escarpment combined with the lake makes for a micro-climate suitable for vines and makes this an important wine growing area. So, mid-morning and a few glasses of wine later, we were headed for Niagara Falls itself.
We had a short stop to allow us to view the falls from the shoreline then headed to a nearby restaurant where we had lunch overlooking the falls. Fed and watered, our coach driver took us to the ticket booth where he collected and distributed our tickets. Then a Hornblower Cruise rep took over and led us to the boat, collecting our waterproof ponchos on the way. The cruise to the foot of the falls itsel was excellent - just as you imagine it might be and then some more. One thing I don't think any of us were quite ready for was the amount of wind and spray that blows over the boat. I was wearing my waterproof coat under my poncho and I'm glad I had come prepared. I was also glad I had my waterproof GoPro with me to take some footage of the cruise - I hate to think what all that spray might have done to my phone or a normal camera.
After the Hornblower cruise the coach driver collected us and drove us downriver to an area where the Niagara River turns a corner and as a result there are whirlpools and rapids. Then it was on to Niagara-On-The-Lake where we were able to wander around and stretch our legs before we headed back to the coach for the long drive back to Toronto.
Here is a view of the American Falls ..
Here's a view of one of the cruise boats ..
And finally, here's view of the whirlpool and rapids where the Niagara River turns a corner ..
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