Fuel for Thought

Niagra Falls!

By Dale
Posted Nov 7th 2009 4:36PM

          Today I got to take another 'Daycation', one of the benefits of driving a van, and doing this job!  I delivered this morning in Alliston, Ontario, Canada, and my number one layover option was Buffalo, NY.  I had a very nice, uneventful run, and tho I was glad for the money those Canada runs pay, I was very glad to see that border, and be back in my own Country!

Having never been to Niagra Falls, I decided, (being 10 miles or so away) to head over that way and do the tourist thing. So, I mentioned to the Customs Agent at the border I was thinking about going over, and he quickly gave me the best route to get directly to the actual falls.  From Buffalo, I just took 190 North, and watched for the signs directing me in.  I parked at a building called One Niagra, and here's where I messed up!

 

        Having never been to the falls before, I didnt' realize how close the actual falls were, and like a total 'dumb tourist', I fell for the hype being pushed by the dude at the desk telling everyone about this great '2 hour tour' that was 'boarding now, if you hurry'...'ONLY $39.95 ya know the deal, little known facts, up close and personal with the falls, etc.  Our 2 hr tour consisted of 5 minute mad dashes that would have done an NYC cabbie proud, while our 'guide' rattled off the same info that was in the brochures, and on signs in front of the falls.  We then would get dropped for for 20 minutes as he disappeared, and we looked at each area. I suddenly realized,  we were still able to see "One Niagra".. having never gotten more than about 2 blocks away! LOL.. dummy. Oh well, after getting rid of him, I wondered around the falls area by myself, taking my time, and enjoying the view.  The easiest place to get to was Prospect Point, where you could see the 'American Falls'... apparently the largest, most well known "Horseshoe Falls" are best seen from the Canadian side. Ah well, next time!  They were very beautiful tho, and I was surprised how close you could get.  Of course there were guard rails, etc... but I was getting wet from the blowing mist as I snapped pics.

           As I left, I came upon a scene that, as an old country boy, just tickled me!  An old guy was in a stand of trees, feeding peanuts to some very fat lil squirrels! These things were brave, and obviously used to being fed, as they litterally ran right up to my feet, and sat up to see if I had any peanuts for them!  I thought of how many farm boys sat countless mornings, waiting for squirrels to peak out so we could pop 'em LOL.. and here these guys were runnin right to me!