Niagara Falls

Absolutely exhausted after driving 6 hours in light drizzle to medium rain, the last 2 in pitch dark on twisty, narrow back lanes. At least I think they were. Who could see in the dark? However, we arrived safely to the Williams Inn in Williamstown, MA in time for a bowl of tomato soup, beef ribs, mashed potatoes with mushrooms in a red wine sauce. My nerves were somewhat restored. Plus a glass of the bottle wine that was waiting in our room helped.

We had flown into Buffalo 3 days before, then Lyfted to Niagara, NY to an Anchor Bar. Lunch was 2 house IPAs and 20 medium wings. We watched UM snatch defeat from SMU in overtime.

A walk across the Rainbow Bridge, brief visit in Canadian Customs, and we popped out at the Fallsview Hotel on the Canadian side of Niagara Falls. I had requested a room on the riverside, which we sorta got: 21st floor, SW corner, semi facing the falls. No matter, we were here. We ditched our suitcases and strolled along the river. 

We were overwhelmed, as I assume all visitors are. So much water, so much power. Best of all, so few people. The temps were in the 50’s, trees still were covered in fall colors. Happy, happy.

After much debate and tiredness, we opted for dinner at swanky Massimo’s in the hotel. With no reservations, we were tucked at a non-window table. Still could see the falls, now with colored lights projected on them. We shared a burrata and a 4-mushroom risotto, plus a bottle of local wine. The idea of visiting the winery tomorrow flitted through our heads.

Daylight savings ceased Sunday morning, so I woke up at my usual o’dark hundred, but now it was even an hour earlier by the clock. I persuaded Grant to get up and walk with me. We had the falls to ourselves. By the time we headed back to the hotel a few joggers had run by. What luxury.

I had pre-purchased vouchers for the breakfast buffet, and when it opened at 8:00 (9:00 my tummy time), we were there. A spinach and mushroom omelette for me, Grant’s with everything but spinach, lots of fruit, a 1/4 waffle with maple syrup but no sprinkles or chocolate chips (I think I insulted the server when I questioned what kind of syrup it was. We are in Canada after all.), Grant having sausage and potatoes, my going back for a slice of coffee cake. Yes, we were calorie loading. I palmed a blueberry and a bran muffin for later. Grant made a sandwich with bread and a couple of fried chicken pieces. I assume that is why the server brought us large paper napkins without being asked.

Back across the Rainbow Bridge ($1 payment and a stop at US Customs), this time to the Maid of the Mist boat tour, its last day of the season. Again I was thrilled there were few visitors. We only waited for 1 boat before embarking. I thought it would be good to skip trying to get a railing space topside, so we opted to go the front on the lower deck. May have been a bad choice, because when we were in all the mist, think water, at the Horseshoe Falls, and the boat rocked, all the mist (water) that had dropped on the upper deck came pouring down.

I got absolutely drenched. I guess my poncho saved me somewhat, however my hood, lower pants, and gloves were completely soggy. Somehow, even seeing all that power from above and then coming up on the falls didn’t translate in my brain into really forceful winds that would swirl around, whipping flimsy plastic as it wished. 

Others put their ponchos in the recycling bins provided. I opted to keep mine until I warmed up. I tried drying my gloves with the air driers in the bathroom, but they blew cold air. Grant gave me his which were only damp. For the rest of the day, we rode the tram around Niagara State Park, oldest in the nation, hopping off so we could see the tops of both falls. A little scary seeing how fast the water flows. No chance of being saved. 

Back across the bridge (finally without my poncho which I folded up for later if needed), going through customs, and deciding to use our hotel coupons at the Niagara Brewing Company. We took the elevator to the upper lobby, walked out the door and were in a huge game arcade. Connected was a Rainforest Cafe, then we were on a street perpendicular to the river. Clifton Hills, home of every chain of fast foods, hotels, tacky amusement place. We were shocked by the colors and neon. So different from the stone walls and garden plots along the river. Our flight of beer at the NBC helped me choose their IPA and Grant their red ale.

What to do about dinner? Grant suggested Massimo’s again. No recycling for me, so I countered with Table Rock on the far end of the falls. Another perk of being here in November: window table without reservations. Another burrata (we liked the warmth of the cheese and the accouterments at Massimo’s better, but still delicious) and chicken with rice and carrots. We’re getting pretty good at sharing. I had a glass of Inniskillin Pinot Grigio, from a local winery as were all the wines on the menu.

This time, walking back to the hotel, we could really see all the colors the falls turn. Evidently, one can apply for a 15 minute segment for a special occasion. I’m not clear how that might be different that what was already rolling though with blues to greens to yellows, etc. then some red, white and blue and some red and white for the 2 countries. 

We returned to the hotel, now full of high schoolers attending a leadership conference. Tutus, capes, matching T-shirts, pj bottoms to identify the different schools. But quiet. This morning, we got to the Starbucks at 7:00 for coffee and breakfast before our Lyft to the Flixbus pickup spot. A good thing we were early. All those teens needed their lattes and Frappuccinos before starting their workshops. The lines became long.

We arrive 30 minutes to wait for the bus all by ourselves in a huge parking lot. Only comfort was the big green sign assuring us we were at the right spot. It is not an uptown convenience, however the bus was cheap at $20 for both of us to get back to the Buffalo airport and pick up our Ram truck, most inexpensive rental car available, to drive to the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge. We’d stopped at the Batavia Walmart for lunch supplies. 

Along the wildlife drive, I recognized mallards and Canada geese, but not the other small ducks. TBD*. We  drove on to Williamstown.

*Google Lens IDed them as northern pintails, just moving into breeding plumage, so no long pintails yet.