Comments on The Distracted Wanderer: "Soaring the Gorge" on Niagara's Whirlpool Aero Car

It would be a shame to travel all the distance and...

2014-11-07T18:06:06.071-05:00

It would be a shame to travel all the distance and not take in the gorgeous Niagara Glen and Dufferin Islands. The Dufferin Islands are absolutely stunning, with level gravel trails that wind through eleven islands that host many migrating and rare birds, plants and animals. These are located above the falls, and the parking is free! The Niagara Glen is below the falls towards Niagara on the Lake, and is just off of the Niagara Parkway. There is free parking and an upper park as well as the lower area, the Glen, which is accessed by stairs. If you are elderly and not good with stairs, stick with the upper park.
On the US side, for no charge, you can get up and personal with the raging Niagara River at Devils Hole Park when the water is low (fall) and the rocks are exposed. It is breathtaking! If you go down the entire trail, it is over rocks and climbing and scrambling is required, lots of stairs, but a great workout. You HAVE to see both sides to get a true taste of the rush and power of this gorgeous river.

I have to take a little issue with the comment tha...

2013-06-07T07:40:55.092-04:00

I have to take a little issue with the comment that the Canadian side is "the" better side...

Canada has all the touristy things, ferris wheels, observation towers, wax museums... but the American side has the true Niagara experience if you know where to go! You can dangle your feet in the river from Goat Island (not advisable, but you can!), climb the rocks at the base of the falls at Cave of the Winds, stand directly above the falls on Luna Island, and even hike down the gorge from Devil's Hole Park (and get a look at the Aero Car from the river's edge)

I'll probably get some grief for giving away secrets that even some of the locals don't know about. Canada is good for the 'post-card' view of the falls, but New York is where you get the REAL rush of Niagara's natural beauty and power! Some of it takes more cojones than getting onto a tourist trap cable car, and some of it is as peaceful and serene as the day God created it.

No,no,no, can't get me to go in that! lol Some...

2011-08-24T18:35:08.336-04:00

No,no,no, can't get me to go in that! lol Sometimes I think I should at least give it a try but I go weak at the knees just driving by that place, so can just imagine how I'd react just trying to get on it!! Even knowing how safe it is doesn't do it for me. lol You got some wonderful shots, though, and although I had read the history behind the aero car before, it was still interesting to read it:-) xoxo

You were very brave! I agree with Lois, a glass of...

2011-08-19T14:36:53.942-04:00

You were very brave! I agree with Lois, a glass of wine might help, I am also afraid of heights, but my Sweet Husband has a nack for talking me into things....
Kat

I'm chicken. I'd have to suck down a coupl...

2011-08-19T08:00:59.882-04:00

I'm chicken. I'd have to suck down a couple glasses of wine or a few xanax to get on that thing.

Me no likey heights. It stems from my brother shaking the cable sky thingies at Cedar Point as a child.

I hate heights, as you know, but having been to so...

2011-08-18T19:08:49.298-04:00

I hate heights, as you know, but having been to some really askeery and very high places in Colorado I can say with a fair amount of confidence that I would probably do that! You only live once and I try not to let my fears dictate the living of my life. Mostly. Some days are better than others. :)

No, Lisa, didn't get to those two locations bu...

2011-08-18T14:11:01.462-04:00

No, Lisa, didn't get to those two locations but I did get to a lot of very interesting places that I'll be sharing here soon. Besides, not having seen anywhere near everything, it gives me lots of good reasons to go back up to Niagara Falls another time!

Wow! You did it! We saw it but I couldn't be c...

2011-08-18T13:56:42.973-04:00

Wow! You did it! We saw it but I couldn't be convinced to do it. At the time I was quite pregnant and an emotional over-fearful wreck! So beautiful, and I am so glad you did it. Now... did you visit the Butterfly Conservatory just up the street? Or the Totem Pole "farm" nearby?