By Gerry Barker
Photos/Video by Gerry Barker
For anyone who has seen or visited Niagara Falls, you know adjectives don’t do it justice. Early explorers described them as “spectacular,” “awe-inspiring” and even “frightful.”
One of the most powerful waterfalls in the world, every second some six million cubic feet of water cascade down during daytime tourist hours (water flow is restricted at night for electric power generation). Straddling the U.S.-Canadian border, the water flow originates from Lake Erie, down the Niagara River, into Lake Superior and the St. Lawrence Seaway before eventually ending its journey in the Atlantic Ocean.
On the recent inaugural sailing of Victory I, one of two ships deployed by Victory Cruise Lines to take guests on a tour of the Great Lakes, Pam and I had the opportunity to view the Falls from the Canadian side for the first time when we docked at Port Colborne for a shore excursion. Trees were in full blossom around the Falls on a gloriously sunny Spring day, adding to the majesty of our visit.
Just a short walk from the bus took us to Table Rock, the ideal location to view Horseshoe Falls. As we took in the Falls’ power and beauty, we got a bonus: A beautiful rainbow that had formed in the mist.
Adjacent to the Falls is the Niagara Falls Power Station. Constructed between 1901-1905, it provided power to the region for over a century before being decommissioned and reopened as a tourist attraction. Currently (no pun intended), they are exhibiting “Tesla: A Spark of Genius,” through Oct. 13. Nikola Tesla’s AC (alternating current) technology powered the station that provided electricity for an entire region.
The station features a number of interesting, interactive exhibits, but due to time constraints, we opted to focus on one of their newer attractions: The Tunnel.
The Tunnel is just that — a 2,200-foot opening, blasted and hammered out of solid rock when the station was built that leads to the edge of the Niagara River and a sweeping view of Horseshoe Falls. Its original purpose was to channel water used to drive the turbines back into the Niagara River.
You reach the Tunnel, located 180 feet below the surface, via a glass-walled elevator ride, giving visitors a close-up view of the plant’s mechanical inards. Be mindful the temperature in the Tunnel is a year-round 60 degrees, and wet in places, so you might want to pack a light jacket or parka. When you get to the river itself, they furnish panchos for the mist that comes off the Falls.
Also, wear comfortable shoes: The walk is almost a half-a-mile. The Tunnel you’re walking through is 26 feet high and 20 feet wide, built mostly using manual labor to construct four layers of bricks and 18 inches of concrete. Along the way you’ll learn more about its construction and the history of the Falls.
Geologically speaking, the Falls themselves aren’t that old. Formed as glaciers retreated 12,000 years ago, they’ve been slowly eroding away ever since. At the current rate, it’s estimated they will cease to exist in 50,000 years. So if you haven’t been there, you’ve got time.
As well as serving as a magnet for tourists, they have long history of attracting daredevils who have tempted fate in barrels, containers and even tightrope walkers, resulting in a number of deaths. Such activity has been illegal for some time.
They are also quite famous as a honeymoon destination, the “Honeymoon Capital of the World.” According to historical accounts, the first couple to choose Niagara Falls for their honeymoon was Theodosia Burr Alston (daughter of Vice President Aaron Burr) and her husband, Joseph Alston, in 1801. Three years later, Napoleon Bonaparte’s brother, Jerome, honeymooned there with his American bride, Elizabeth Patterson.
It didn’t take long for entrepreneurs to realize the commercial value. It was further boosted by the 1953 film, “Niagara,” starring Marilyn Monroe and Joseph Cotten. Today, tourism accounts for nearly $3.1 billion yearly from some 13 million visitors.
It is said when he was in elementary school, Tesla saw a picture of Niagara Falls “and dreamed of using water to generate power.” While he certainly saw his dream come to pass, Niagara Falls has another kind of power as well — the power to inspire and evoke awe, a display of Nature’s grandeur at its finest.
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