Day Off in Niagara Falls

Whirlpool. Botanical gardens. Hydroelectric plant tour. People mover. “Journey Behind the Falls.” Rainbows at the falls. Indian food. Clifton Hill at night.

The Niagara is very complex. I’m not sure how to explain it. The myths of Native Americans, the history of dare devil stunts, the accidents, the engineering of the hydroelectric plants and the amount of energy produced, the geology and erosion, the tourism and the amusements, tourists from all over the world.

Journey Behind the Falls was a tour that takes you to the base of the falls and through a tunnel so you can see behind the falls. It was an amazing experience. I felt like the falls should be an experience of natural beauty, but it wasn’t for me. For whatever reason, my definition of nature means there’s not many other people around. Even the falls couldn’t drown out the noise of the crowds of people.

 

It also seems ironic to me that the falls are controlled by humans. The international dam controls how much water goes over the falls, and how much water is diverted to the hydroelectric plants. Just enough water is allowed over the falls so that it’s still impressive to tourists, but erosion and spray is minimized and power is produced. But humans don’t have complete control. Eventually the falls will erode away. Water is powerful.