February 26, 2024

Niagara Falls

“Going Over Niagara Falls in a Barrel”

Please, do not despair at the above image of my family members and I “going over the falls”! We all, actually, navigated Niagara Falls safely, without incident,
and with nary a drop of Niagara mist moistening our brows.
The fun photo, above, was taken at Skylon Tower (you can read more about that below), and our likenesses were creatively superimposed to compose this comical picture.
No danger there, except for the possibly of splitting our sides in laughter. :o)

Big Family Hugs

Okay, as Father Lonergan so aptly put it in one of my favorite movies, The Quiet Man,
“Well, then. Now, I’ll begin at the beginning.”

When my eldest, and his family, asked me to join them for a vacation to northern
New York, and just over the border to Canada, I was in!  It is always a treat spending
time with my four (grown-up) kiddos, and their families!

It was a happy reunion, filled with hugs and smiles, as their flight and mine arrived at the Buffalo (New York) Airport.  Once luggage was secured, we pointed our rental car toward our Niagara Falls destination. Stopping along the way for a hearty breakfast at
Break’n Eggs seemed like a perfect plan. And it was, indeed, and a delicious one!

Enjoying a hearty breakfast at Buffalo’s Break’n Eggs.

Niagara Falls State Park
The American Side

With our appetites sufficiently satisfied, it was on to Niagara Falls State Park.
Our first glimpse (as were those glimpses to follow) of the mighty falls was awe-inspiring!

The Magnificent Falls as seen from Niagara Falls State Park.

Pausing and posing at a popular photo op stop.

Nikola Tesla was here.

A memento from daredevil  Nik Wallenda‘s historic 2012 tightrope walk.

More on Niagara’s Daredevils

Niagara Falls has had a history of daredevils, eager to take on the the mighty waterfalls.
Below are just a few.

Charles Blondin

Charles Blondin was the first to cross Niagara Falls in 1858.

Annie Edson Taylor

Annie Edson Taylor, a 63-year old school teacher, was the first person to successfully go over the falls in a barrel, padded with a mattress.

Robert Woodward

Although, not a daredevil, one of the most miraculous Niagara Falls stories, involves seven-year old, Robert Woodword, who went over the falls by accident in 1960.
He survived, wearing only a life jacket!  To read more about the incident,
go here, and here.

The Canadian Side of the Falls

Our time on the Canadian side of Niagara Falls not only afforded us a new perspective of this world wonder, but offered up some additional fun!

We were awed by the spectacular view of the falls from our room
at the  Marriot Falls View.

 

 

Our meal on the top of the Skylon Tower was a delicious opportunity to celebrate my son’s birthday, and the revolving dining room’s views were magnificent!

A stunning view from the Skylon Tower’s observation deck.

Another scenic and wonderful meal was spent at The Table Rock House Restaurant. with an unsurpassed view, sitting next to the falls.

 

 

 

There were fun things to see and do along the Clifton Hill area.

 

 

Colorful lights illuminate the falls each evening.
We could not get enough of this night view from our hotel room window at
the Marriot Falls View.

 Souvenirs from Niagara Falls
(Actually, I discovered this wonderful black tea at Niagara Falls ,
and ordered via Amazon when I got home. :o))

 

Niagara the Movie

I could not conclude this post without mentioning Marilyn Monroe’s 1953 movie, Niagara.  A suspense film, similar to those of Alfred Hitchcock origin, it is Niagara Falls that is the true star of this film. If you have never seen it, and decide to watch it, I’d love to get your review in the comments.

On a side note, I remember reading somewhere, years ago, that another Niagara star, Jean Peters, (She was once married to Howard Hughes!) almost found herself going over the falls while filming!  I can no longer find any mention of this anywhere, so if you have information pertaining to this incident, pretty please leave a message in the comments.

Thank you for reading I’m Annette!
May your days be blessed, and your taste buds happy!

   

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Family smiles, taken on the American Side of the Falls.