09/02/17
We stayed the night in the Oasis Motel in Niagara Falls, Ontario. The hotel was pretty dumpy, as it seems was the trend in that area. It probably ranked better than the Ash Fork Inn out West, but not by much. We begrudgingly gave them an extra $10 to stay parked there the next day while we walked down to the river and the falls. The town of Niagara Falls is a year round carnival, reminiscent of Pigeon Forge or whatever the town outside Rushmore was. We walked the Canadian side of the falls first and then crossed the bridge to the US side. While the Canadian side has by far the better viewing of the falls, the US side has a much more extensive park and closer access to the falls. We wandered the park for a few hours before crossing the bridge back to Canada.
After having our fill of the falls, we headed back toward Michigan. I don’t remember the clock, but we were leaving a bit before sunset, so maybe 4:00. It’s a five and a half hour drive straight through back to Grand Rapids, so with stops, etc. (including getting to see the trip’s most obnoxious family in Subway near Flint) we were able to get back to Grand Rapids late that night.
The Oasis Motel - the finest shithole hotel in Niagara
Niagara Falls; American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls (the smaller section to the right) with the Canadian tour boat "Hornblower" where all of their customers wear red. "Maid of the Mist" which is the USA side, wear blue.
Horseshoe Falls
Niagara Falls; American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls (the smaller section to the right)
Niagara Falls...aaaaand a Bear from the Smokies
Niagara Falls with the Maid of the Mist tower
Rainbow Bridge between the US and Canada
Map of the US side park
Maid of the Mist
Niagara Falls full area shot
Horseshoe Falls from the Canadian side
Horseshoe Falls from the US side. As you can see, the Canadian side was getting a bit drenched over there. We had to run through the mist to get to the visitor's center.
