Canadian Capitals 6/14/19 (Niagara Falls)
After breakfast at the hotel, we headed out for Niagara Falls. Although only 80 miles away, the trip took about 2 hours due to the traffic. After a quick stop for a bathroom break and a photo op, we made our way to the Hornblower Niagara Cruises. To reach the docks, we took a funicular. Once off, we were handed red ponchos and had a short wait before boarding the boat.
The trip lasted about 25 minutes as the captain took us to the base of the falls. Those on the outer decks were doused with more than just mist. Although we stayed inside, we still had to watch our feet as waves were washing over the outer decks and into the interior. We learned, after our trip, that we were the last boat for the day as the water was getting too rough; this was related to the flood gates further up the river having been opened to reduce the chance of flooding up stream (due to recent rains.)
The area just northwest of Niagara Falls has its' own micro-climate that allows for lucrative argiculture. In addition to the many vineyards, stone fruits (think peaches and nectarines) are important cash crops.
The group reboarded the bus around 11:45 am and we headed for Niagara on the Lake. Here we had a couple of hours on our own for lunch, shopping and exploring the area. We lunched at Epicurean and enjoyed shrimp, a salad and bruschetta. Bonnie enjoyed a glass or two of a locally produced unoaked Chardonnay.
The ride back again took two hours, as traffic seems to be an ongoing problem. Once back at the hotel, we were free to have dinner at our choice of three restaurants in the hotel. We opted for the Library Bar where we shared a local cheese plate, some meatballs and an heirloom tomato salad. Dessert was included and we chose to get it "to go"; it is currently waiting here in our room for consumption once this posting is finished.
The Fairmont Royal York hotel has a garden on its' roof where they grow many of the greens and herbs used in their restaurants. They also have bee hives that produce honey that is used in production of honey beer. It is made by a local brewery and is only available at the hotel. The honey is also served on the cheese plate and was very tasty.
So...The Toronto Raptors won last night and we should have taken the hotel up on their offer of free ear plugs. The celebration was outside right below our room and included fireworks and smoke bombs. The police brought in their mounted unit, but they were never deployed. Other than being loud, the crowd did not seem to cause damage to any property. With a sizable crowd still outside at 2 am, I managed to drift off. When I awoke around 4 am, they were gone and the street cleaners were out. Congrats to the RAPTORS!
Pictures 6/14/19
The trip lasted about 25 minutes as the captain took us to the base of the falls. Those on the outer decks were doused with more than just mist. Although we stayed inside, we still had to watch our feet as waves were washing over the outer decks and into the interior. We learned, after our trip, that we were the last boat for the day as the water was getting too rough; this was related to the flood gates further up the river having been opened to reduce the chance of flooding up stream (due to recent rains.)
The area just northwest of Niagara Falls has its' own micro-climate that allows for lucrative argiculture. In addition to the many vineyards, stone fruits (think peaches and nectarines) are important cash crops.
The group reboarded the bus around 11:45 am and we headed for Niagara on the Lake. Here we had a couple of hours on our own for lunch, shopping and exploring the area. We lunched at Epicurean and enjoyed shrimp, a salad and bruschetta. Bonnie enjoyed a glass or two of a locally produced unoaked Chardonnay.
The ride back again took two hours, as traffic seems to be an ongoing problem. Once back at the hotel, we were free to have dinner at our choice of three restaurants in the hotel. We opted for the Library Bar where we shared a local cheese plate, some meatballs and an heirloom tomato salad. Dessert was included and we chose to get it "to go"; it is currently waiting here in our room for consumption once this posting is finished.
The Fairmont Royal York hotel has a garden on its' roof where they grow many of the greens and herbs used in their restaurants. They also have bee hives that produce honey that is used in production of honey beer. It is made by a local brewery and is only available at the hotel. The honey is also served on the cheese plate and was very tasty.
So...The Toronto Raptors won last night and we should have taken the hotel up on their offer of free ear plugs. The celebration was outside right below our room and included fireworks and smoke bombs. The police brought in their mounted unit, but they were never deployed. Other than being loud, the crowd did not seem to cause damage to any property. With a sizable crowd still outside at 2 am, I managed to drift off. When I awoke around 4 am, they were gone and the street cleaners were out. Congrats to the RAPTORS!
Pictures 6/14/19
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