Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Horseshoe Falls & Terrapin Point
These are the rapids as the Niagara River approaches Horseshoe Falls. They don’t look quite as rough as the ones on the other side of Green Island, but I still wouldn’t want to be in them knowing what’s just down the bend.
Even here the water doesn’t look too rough, although just to the right of the small island of bushes is a 176- to 188-foot drop down the Horseshoe Falls to the Maid of the Mist Pool. The height of the falls depends on where the measurement is taken, the season of the year, the weather conditions and the amount of water being diverted for industry and hydroelectric power generation. The average flow of water over the Horseshoe Falls during daylight between May and November is 675,000 gallons per second -- more water is diverted during nighttime and the remaining months to produce more hydroelectric power.
Just seeing that mist, knowing it began 176- to 188-feet below the river level here, is enough to have me in awe of the mighty Niagara River!
This view is simply awe-inspiring -- how the water just seems to disappear. This shot is taken from Terrapin Point on the U.S. side of the Horseshoe Falls. Terrapin Point’s name comes from the terrapin rocks that were once part of the Horseshoe Falls. In 1829, a wooden walkway was built out to the brink of the falls, and from 1833 to 1873 a stone tower stood at the end of the walkway allowing visitors a unique view of the falls and the Niagara Gorge. In the early 1970s, cracks were discovered near the edge of Terrapin Point so it was closed to the public until 1983 when the area was stabilized and once again safe for visitors.
No walkway these days, but this is still a pretty amazing view. 
MacKenzie and Benjamin are enjoying the updrafts from the falls.
A good view of most of the Horseshoe Falls from the U.S. side.
One last family photo before calling it a day. Looks like we finally managed to dry off after our Cave of the Winds experience!
We had to make one last stop before heading back to our hotel: the “Twist o’ the Mist” for ice cream. Yup, we have to sample ice cream everywhere we travel (not just in Europe!).
Benjamin found a nice seat for enjoying his Bubblegum-flavored ice cream.
Zachary enjoyed a “Mint Ting-a-Ling” cone and MacKenzie opted for the “Chocolate Panda Paws” cone (and me too). Ah, what a great, adventure-filled day!Labels: Benjamin, Canada, MacKenzie, Nana and Papa, Stateside visits, Travel, Zachary
