Monday, 25th July 2005
TripTo Niagara Falls
Over the weekend, i took Mom and Dad to Niagara Falls. And they enjoyed it immensely from their reaction. They took the bus from columbus on friday evening and made it to cleveland around 8 PM. I had made plenty of plans for their first visit to cleveland. But them missing their earlier bus, threw a spanner in the works. It was already too late to show them some landmarks since most museums etc close by 5 PM. Luckily there was one museum (Cleveland Museum of Art) that was open till 9 PM. So i took them there and from also managed to spend some time in the lovely Wade Park Oval near University Circle. I later took them downtown to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the lake (Lake Erie)Check out pictures (after i post them). The big issue for me was getting my apartment in livable condition before they arrived. If you havent experienced the habitat of desi students living in the USA, then consider yourself fortunate. One day i'll sit down and write an article on 'How to trash a 5-star apartment ... desi style' because this is exactly what me and my roommates did to the apartment. All our efforts to get the room in shape seemed to have paid off, for not only do we have a clean room (for how long is another story) but i managed to keep my parents from freaking out of their minds when they saw the dustbin i live in. Me filling them with horror stories about the room and preparing them for the worst probably helped and suprised them when they saw the room. Too bad they didnt get to meet all my roommates. Especially they didnt get to meet Subba whom they had heard all the stories and yarns about .. maybe next time. Their next visit should be longer and more fun filled i hope.
Coming to the niagara trip. After a few hours of sleep at night we set off at 6 AM and headed along I-90E. Travelling east wards looking straight into the rising sun wasnt exaclty pleasant and made me take a wrong exit and driving hard initially. The road wasnt at it best either with construction on a many locations. All that changed once we reach PA (Pennsylvania) state. Driving there was a dream. Best of all there are no cops in sight as apposed to (traffic) cop infested Ohio. We made it to Niagara in good time albeit with a little confusion over directions when we neared Niagara.
We first went for the Cave of the winds tour on Goat Island. The Cave of the Winds trip takes you closer to the waters of Niagara. You ride an elevator 175 feet (53 meters) deep into the Niagara Gorge. Then, clad in a bright yellow poncho and wearing the special footwear provided,you follow a tour guide over a series of wooden walkways to the famous "Hurricane Deck". As you stand at the railing, you are a mere 20 feet (6 meters) from the billowing torrents of Bridal Veil Falls. The rushing waters loom above you, dousing you with a generous spray as you face the thundering Falls head-on. Rainbows are usually visible day and night (check out my gallery i have a picture to prove this). A deck has been built 150 feet from the base of the Falls. The guide told us that they rebuild the deck every year. They break it down after Fall season before the winter kicks in and rebuild it in spring when the tourists start pouring in. I loved the 'Cave of the Winds' tour. Other less brave people were intimidated by the force of the falls, but not me. I was enjoying every bit of it. However there is always a sense of feeling miniscule in front of this gigantic falls. Brings a thought back to me. When we were kids we often used words like height of boredom, height of laziness etc. Well the height of comparions was 'Taking a leak next to Niagara Falls'. Haa haa .. now i know.
Next we went for Maid of the Mist boat ride. The Maid of the Mist Boat Ride is the most unbelieveable attraction in Niagara. From the deck of the boat visitors to Niagara can experience a whole new perspective on the mighty cataracts. Clad in a hooded raincoat (it's provided), you'll cruise right to the base of the American and Horseshoe Falls. Hear the thunder of the falls echo against the rocks and feel Niagara's cool mist on your face. The boat ride was an outta this world experience. It is probably the only way to fully realize the grandeur of the Great Falls of Niagara.
Until you have seen Niagara Falls from the deck of the Maid of the Mist, you have little idea of the awesome power of that mighty cataract. As the ship heaves and bucks, approaching closer and closer to the cascading water, all the passengers are completely enveloped in spray. The deafening roar, the spray driving against your face, the hammering of the ship's diesel engines as they force the vessel against the current, make for an unforgettable experience
Most people stop after these two rides. But we had taken 'Passport to the Falls' tickets. Passport to the Falls is your ticket to discounted admissions throughout Niagara Falls State Park and all around the Niagara region. The Passport to the Falls offers a up to a 30% discount on all park attractions, including Maid of the Mist, Cave of the Winds, the Observation Tower, the Festival Theater and the Aquarium of Niagara. The Passport to the Falls also includes unlimited rides on the Niagara Scenic Trolley, which takes you on a three-mile guided tour of Niagara Falls State Park, with stops at all attractions and scenic vistas. So we decided to see all of the attraction, striving hard to fit it in within limited time. Most of the other attractions pale in comparison to the 'Maid of the Mist' and 'Cave of the winds'. However one other attraction that caught out eye was the 'Sea Lions and Seals performing in the Aquarium'.
We left back for columbus around 5 PM and made it back around 10:30 stopping once for fuel and not taking my foot off the pedal even once. And that pretty much concludes my description of an amazing trip to Niagara Falls with Mom and Dad.
Posted by Nikhil on Monday, 25th July 2005 in Life in General | Fun | Events