We departed Camp Walmart SuperCentre in Parry Sound on Saturday and headed south towards Toronto and the border at Niagara Falls. At Barrie ON we pumped 255 liters (67 gallons) of diesel. This was our only fuel purchase in Canada. We actually had enough fuel on board to cross the border into Niagara Falls NY, but we would be very low when we arrived. The generator pick-up tube in the fuel tank will not draw if the tank level is below about 1/8 full. We knew we would be dry camping at Niagara Falls, and we would need to run the generator. We didn't want to go searching for fuel after crossing the border.
We were concerned about the traffic and getting through Toronto. The quickest and easiest way was to take a toll road ETR 407 around town, but we estimated that would cost us over $30 in fees. There was a series of limited access highways that went closer to town. Google Maps showed some delays, but they seemed to be short. Since it was a Saturday we took the gamble and avoided the toll road. Heck, we're retired, and we're in no hurry. There were a few delays and slow downs, but we had no problems.
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| Entering Niagara Falls ON |
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| Just before crossing the Rainbow Bridge into the US |
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| The Niagara Falls border crossing. What's that car doing in my RV lane? |
Our border crossing was very quick and easy. Our wait was only about one minute. The officer asked us a few simple questions and waved us through. A piece of cake.
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| The American Falls from Goat Island |
On Saturday afternoon we poked around on the American side. A thunderstorm struck about 5:00 PM, as forecast, and the tourists scattered.
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| Camp Seneca Niagara Casino |
We camped for two nights at the Seneca Niagara Casino in downtown Niagara Falls NY. Two more nights of free camping! Life is good. Our park was within walking distance to the falls. Since the casino was the tallest building in town, we had no problem finding our way back home, no matter where we were along the river.
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| American Falls on left, Horseshoe Falls on right |
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| The brink of the American Falls |
The Niagara River splits around Goat Island above the falls. Since the brink at the American Falls is at a slightly higher elevation, 90% of the river flow goes over Horseshoe Falls. Perhaps due to the higher flow, Horseshoe Falls has retreated a considerable distance further upstream than the American Falls.
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| We looked hard, but couldn't find the pot of gold |
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| The Rainbow Bridge looking towards Canada |
Is it called the Rainbow Bridge because it is shaped like a rainbow? Or is it because you can often see rainbows above the water? Ummmm ....
On Sunday we walked back across the Rainbow Bridge to explore the Canadian side of the Falls. The border crossing was super easy.
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| The American Falls looking from Canada |
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| Horseshoe Falls viewed from Canada |
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| Horseshoe Falls |
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| Horseshoe Falls |
All of the water from 4 of the 5 Great Lakes flows down the Niagara River and over Niagara Falls.
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| Into the mist on the Maid of the Mist |
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| You can't really call it a "selfie". It's more like a "groupie". |
You couldn't walk down the sidewalk without getting whacked in the head with a selfie stick. At least these folks were efficient: 7 for the price of 1.
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| My "Sweetie" |
It was a beautiful afternoon, and it was a Sunday. The hoards were out. At some places if you wanted to see the falls you had to be a little rude and push the guy with the selfie stick out of the way.
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| Just plain tuckered out! |
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| Can you see the bumblebee butt sticking out from the fuchsia? |
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| Many of the cabs in Niagara Falls ON were Toyota Prius hybrids. Go Canada! |
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| Dorcas on the Rainbow Bridge |
It took us much longer to re-enter the US on foot than it did to enter in the motor home the day before. The line in to US Customs was backed out the door, and it was not moving. After about 15 minutes and no motion, things suddenly started moving. There must have been some issue with a party ahead of us. Once we got to an agent, we were out in 15 seconds.
Tomorrow we will pull out and head to Watkins Glen NY for a Country Coach rally.
2 comments:
Great post! Feel like I have seen Niagra Falls now. Boy I'd like to get my bike going around there. Love the casino spot down town.
George,
We can't look at whitewater with visualizing how we would run it in the canoe. In this case we guessed the drop over the falls would not kill us. That's because we would already be dead before negotiating the rapids leading to the falls.
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