Among the natural wonders of the world, the gigantic ?Niagara Falls? is one of the most scenic places I have visited. The beauty of this awesome place has prompted me to share this thrilling experience with the readers of Mangalorean.com.
After 7 hours of traveling, we checked into a hotel and once refreshed, we moved to see the night view of the American Falls. Observers could view this beauty from the observation tower. The beauty of the Falls is dazzling especially with the colorful lights projected on it.
The Niagara River drains four of the five Great Lakes, Superior, Michigan, Huron and Erie, before emptying into Lake Ontario. These five Great Lakes make up almost one-fifth of the world’s fresh water supply. The falls that is associated on the US side are: American Falls and the larger Horseshoe Falls. The incomparable view of the mighty Niagara Falls State Park was really beautiful.
The Niagara Gorge Trail System along the scenic Niagara River Gorge extends from Niagara Falls, New York north to Lewiston, New York. The rim path within Niagara Falls State Park extends from the Horseshoe Falls and connects to the Upper Great Gorge Trail that leads to the Whirlpool Rapids.
The ‘Maid of the Mist‘ is another site of attraction. Wearing raincoats and entering the bow headed boat towards the waterfalls, the mist lightly spraying our faces and the rumbling of water in our ears made us acutely aware of the vast power of these falls.
Some parts of the trail are at the bottom of the gorge, close to the water?s edge and within close view of the different layers of sedimentary rock that make up the gorge walls. The trail system has about 14.5 miles of trails. It is also possible to drive to different scenic viewpoints along the trail, including Whirlpool State Park and Devil?s Hole.
Cave of the Winds
The most fascinating and exciting was the ?Cave of the Winds?. We were given yellow raincoats and were taken 175 ft below to view the falls very closely.
The Niagara River Corridor was designated as an ?Important Bird Area? in 1996, the first internationally-recognized area in the world. The river supports thousands seagull and waterfowl species. I was really amazed seeing the chicks basking and enjoying in the sunlight.
Once we reached closer, the guide instructed us to go in lines to view the ?Hurricane Deck? were the water gushes from the top and splashes with great force, hitting ones face.
Travelling 7 hours to visit the outstanding nature?s wonder ?Niagara Falls?, was really worthwhile.
History
Native Americans living in the Niagara region were most likely the first people to see Niagara Falls. The first European to document the waterfall was a French priest, Father Louis Hennepin.
The development of railroad travel in the 1800s opened Niagara Falls to throngs of visitors and made it a prime destination for travelers from all over the world. In 1804 Napoleon Bonaparte’s younger brother, Jerome, took his American bride there. He is sometimes credited with starting the tradition of a honeymoon visit to Niagara Falls.
Niagara Falls State Park is the oldest state park in the United States of America, established in 1885 as Niagara Reservation State park.
Frederick Law Olmsted, landscape architect of Niagara Falls State Park, also designed Central Park in New York City.
In November, 1896, electrical power was transmitted from a powerhouse in Niagara Falls, New York to Buffalo, New York. This was the first time in the world that alternating current was transmitted over a long distance.
Author: Rosanne DSouza- USA
