Niagara Falls on the American Side

The next day we walked to the United States. That sounds funny but you just walk across the Rainbow Bridge. You show your passport and answer a few questions about what you are doing and keep walking. The weather was not as nice as yesterday - kind of gray and cold.

Settlement of the area began after the American Revolution but the falls were not a tourist attraction. In 1795 the Canadian government refused to spend $30 to clear a trail to the falls because "nobody wanted to see them but small boys".

Things slowed down due to the 1812 war, which pitted settler across the borders against each other. The bloodiest battle occurred at Lundy's Lane on the Canadian side in Niagara Falls. Shortly after the battle, the war ended in 1814 in a draw - reinstating the border, creating sister cities on each side of the river. A Canadian woman at the Tourist Center stated that Canada must have won or Canada would have become American.

The railroad brought the first influx of tourists around 1840 and Niagara Falls turned into a carnival. In 1885 the Ontario Legislature established a commission to preserve the integrity of the land on the Canadian side. It was responsible for the well-manicured park lands along the river which preserved the most beautiful views for the public.

There were lots of private businesses in this area. Mills and plants blocked public access. By 1860 most of the land around the falls were privately owned. The land was bought by the New York State and in 1885 the falls were preserved as the oldest state park in New York.

The Niagara Falls are divided into three "cataracts" separated by three islands. The Canadian Horseshoe fall is the widest, Bridalveil the middle and smallest between Goat and Luna islands, and the American is the highest between Luna and the mainland.

So Jalil and I walked in this nice state park and we crossed the bridge to the Goat Island. The wooded island was green and had nice paths to walk on. We quickly reached Luna island and were very close to the American Falls. The water is sooo powerful. And this is only 50% of the water, as the rest is diverted for the generation of electricity on both sides! At night, 75% is used for electricity.

Further on Goat Island, we were able to walk very close to the Horseshoe Fall. We then followed the island to the small Three Sisters Islands which were connected with bridges. The water was pretty shallow here and there were so many birds sitting on logs and branches in the water. In some areas the water was briskly flowing towards the falls and in others it was pretty calm. When done there, a Niagara Scenic Trolley arrived and we hopped on. For $2 you could ride this one all day and get off whenever you wanted. "The best $2 we spent!" per Jalil. We got off at the Niagara Gorge Discovery Center, which we both agreed was a waste of time. Next, Niagara Adventure Theater where we saw Niagara Legends of Adventure - a 45 minute movie on IMAX screen. Jalil had to buy a copy so you can watch it with us some day.

By now we were tired and walked back over the Rainbow Bridge, had dinner at a large restaurant where we were the only guests - it really is low season! - pork chops (tough) and chicken caesar salad - mediocre, and returned to our motel.