Rural Roams: Niagara Falls

Last weekend, we switched things up at the old farmhouse, I sort of insisted actually,

and all of the housework was finished on Friday night. 

Weekends are too short to spend half of it cleaning, while your other half

spends the day outside on pond duty.

Pond duty by the way involves chatting it up with the neighbour, offering him a beer and 

keeping him company by having one yourself. Just so we're clear on that.

With a whole day on our hands, we decided to go on a road trip. I pretty much agree to any suggestion of a road trip because first, the Artist always drives and after commuting all week, I'm ready to hand over the reins. And secondly, as surely you must know, I can take pictures.We're all the same, aren't we?

So join us as we take our first Rural Roams day trip. I hope to make this a regular feature; we all have a bit of history, grandeur and legend right in our own backyards, and by sharing with you, what's in my neck of the woods, perhaps it will inspire you to do the same. Some future roams include the homestead of Adelaide Hunter-Hoodless, founder of the Women's Institute and The Bell Homestead, home to Alexander Graham Bell.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Rural Roams: Niagara Falls in Winter

To all of you who dared to guess, you were all correct. Niagara Falls was our destination. Your prize, should you ever decide to visit the real Rural Revival, live and in person...is a trip to Niagara Falls, with me.

For a couple of reasons, I thought it a brilliant idea when the Artist suggested we take a drive to the Falls. While I've been there more times than I count, I haven't visited very often in winter, and the twins, of course, need to visit this natural wonder of the world more often. They weren't really hyped up on the idea of going, but they didn't know how different the experience could be on the coldest weekend of the year.

For one, it's cold. Very cold. There were foot long icicles attached to every building. 

But that's okay, because it's also very quiet, except for the actual roar of the falls. You can stand at the railing and gaze out at the water without being accidentally jostled by the person next to you, or asked to take someones family portrait, or get captured for life in someone else's family portrait as you inadvertently walk in front of them. Trust me when I say, this lack of crowd is the number one reason to visit in January. 

Even when it's really cold.

Especially.

But wait, there's more. Imagine you and thousands of other people all wanting to get a closer look as the water tumbles down with a swiftness that makes all those waterfall nightmares come back to memory and then realizing there are only three scopes. For all of you. How wonderful then to have your pick of any scope you want, and being able to use it for free because it's frozen open. This my friends, only happens when it's really cold. 

Just remember to dress warmly, long underwear is essential, bring gloves for photo taking and mitts to warm your fingers up and always wear a toque. Yes, we call them toques. You can call it a hockey hat, but there's the possibility you might get a funny look, eh?

Maybe it's best if you wait til you're on the other side of the bridge and then call it a hockey hat or whatever you call it. What do you call it? 

By the way, I'll just mention this is the first time I've been near the border since I started blogging. Twelve hours from this spot to Tennessee. It was odd to be so close, yet still so far away. I waved, I did! 

Heading east away from the Falls, a lovely drive awaits you along the Niagara Parkway with many beautiful old homes, beautiful woodland and a plethora of farm gate sales.  It also leads you to the tourist mecca Niagara on the Lake. It was beautiful, it still is in some ways but it's more of a Disneyland beautiful. It's nice to see but leave your credit cards at home. There are more wineries than you can shake a stick at however, and they offer tours and tastings. Don't come all this way and miss this drive. In fact, bring a driver!

And if you really would like to get a feel for the area, the way it was at the turn of the last century.

I highly recommend you read 'The Day the Falls Stood Still' by Cathy Marie Buchanan. 

 

The story of a young girl coming of age in a city on the cusp of its own change, the hydroelectric age. It's a wonderful narrative of life in Niagara Falls as it was before the Falls were diminished by harnessing it's power for electricity and the controversy that surrounded it.

I hope you've enjoyed this little Rural Roam. 

I really do, 'cause then I didn't freeze my patootie off for nothing. 

 ~Keep on roaming!~