A Georgia Girl in Germany

Every summer when we visit Nana and Papa, we try to fit in at least one other trip-within-a-trip. This summer, we went to Niagara Falls. Zachary and MacKenzie had been wanting to go for a while, so it made sense for us to make the trek this year. We drove up on a Sunday, and went across to the Canadian side after supper that evening. I think they were all amazed at the size and power of the falls.

Although, before too long, Benjamin pulled out his pouty face and refused to smile for photos.

This is the Horseshoe Falls at Terrapin Point -- looking at the American side. The volume of water flowing along the Niagara River is controlled for industry and hydroelectric power generation, which slows erosion of the falls to only one foot every ten years. Before the 20th century engineering intervened, the brink of the falls moved up to 10 feet every year. During summer daylight hours, 34 million gallons of water flows over the falls every minute -- enough to fill one million bathtubs! I sure wouldn’t want to get caught up in that current!



We couldn’t have planned the moon’s appearance to be any more spectacular than it was. It was a clear night, with the full moon slowly climbing over the falls. Wow!



Benjamin was still being a bit ornery, so Papa spent one-on-one time with him looking at the falls. He’s pointing at the American Falls here...

...but quickly hid his face when he realized I’d snapped his photo.

Then stuck out his tongue at me! Yup, that’s my boy.

Here’s a shot of the entire Horseshoe Falls before the moon made its appearance.

A full moon over Horseshoe Falls, with the added bonus of the colored gel lights illuminating the falls.

And the gels illuminated American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls as well.

The bridge to the left of the falls is the Rainbow Bridge -- connecting the U.S. and Canada.

Labels: Benjamin, Canada, MacKenzie, Nana and Papa, Stateside visits, Travel, Zachary