Niagara Falls

I searched the Travel sub forum and not one Taco here at TW has made a trip to Niagara Falls on vacation.

Next week we're going to pack the Taco with 3 adults and two eleven year olds and make our way to Niagara Falls. Then we will head down to the CBA national bowshoot in Pike New York. We are super excited!!

The bed and the Yakima Rocket box for the roof rack on the shell should be pretty full and we'll see if I was glad to have the TSB springs on.

We are going to ride the Maid of the Mist and enjoy the lights after dark.

 

Wife and I went to Niagara last year and then to Kitchener to visit some family... was a good trip... didn't take the Tacoma though... wifey wanted the smooth ride of her Santa Fe...

 

I just can't keep up with you D, I see it's an FJ now.(p.s......laughing at me, not the FJ)

hey, did you guys ride the Maid of the mist?

 

lol... ya, just got her last week... nice to be back in a Yota...

Yup, did the maid of the mist - was a lot of fun to see the power of the falls... make sure you go to the Canadian side as the view is much better. Everything is expensive as hell out there (typical tourist trap) so be prepared for that.

We had a lot of fun (and actually that's where she got pregnant)... your kiddos will love it there

 

yeah, we got all the passport goodies and are staying in a hotel on the canadian side.

hopefully no preggo for us at Niagara.......

 

I've been to the falls many times when I was younger (Canadian side). Last year, took my husband there for the first time (American side) on a whim. We had traveled up to northern PA, stayed overnight and woke up and decided to go to the falls and drove 7 hours home in the same day. Tacoma didn't go...his MDX did.

We had a blast and he was literally amazed.

You gotta go down the steps on the American Falls. They'll give you some really sweet rain gear and sandals to wear. A view from the steps....


And I love this shot....that's me at the edge.

This is funny...but trying to take a picture while on the Maid of the Myst while in the 'wet zone' (keeping camera dry).


You'll have a blast!! It's awesome!


You should read some history on the internet about people who have tried to ride the falls. You gotta see this link:
http://www.niagarafallslive.com/daredevils_of_niagara_falls.htm

This picture tells it all. YIKES!!

 

The falls are beautiful, I've been when I was younger. You should have a great time

I'll also be in NY state next weekend, if by some chance we happen to cross paths honk to say hi! There shouldn't be too many with Ontario plates down there, hehe

 

Funny story that I'll bet is not in that history is a few years ago a team of some of the best kayaks in the world snuck into the gorge and ran the monster rapids below. It is illegal to be down there in a boat with out a permit and they don't just hand those out so after running it they sat hiding in a cave for hours until they could escape in the dark while helicopters and park rangers were turning over every rock above looking for them.

Short video clip:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSU7qQSa-RI

 

Have a great time Ben! Have not been there since I was 20 and did not do any of the tourist events. Maybe someday. Post up some pics when you get a chance and have fun at the bow shoot!

 

Yeah, I live about an hour from there. Canadian side is best, but you need a passport now.

 

I went w/ the GF last April/May. The falls were still half frozen, which was really cool. Kept the spray down significantly, and tourism hadn't kicked in yet so the hotel rates were great.

There's some good bars and wine tasting if you go north of the falls about 10 miles on the Canada side. Just ask around the hotel front desk.

Of course... like you said in the OP, my taco didn't make it. I think we took my GF's car, or my (now sold) Explorer.

 

That's crazy!! I've seen some kayakers do some crazy stuff on that FOCUS show. Pretty intense. Sorry, not trying to change the subject.

 

Jan----thanks alot for the awesome pics and advice!!! That really gets me pumped!
I searched Direct TV and found a few Niagara shows for the kids to watch. They want to get a barrell and ride over now..........crazy little kids.
We will have to go down those steps. One of thew shows we watched said they rebuild the steps every year due to the power of the water and the damage the wood takes.
I love that pic of you with your arms out. My kids have saved up and are going to buy their first camera today, maybe I can talk them into doing all the photography.

We will be on the New York side briefly but will be staying in a hotel on your side........you can't miss us, Radiant Red tinted windows with camper shell and a Yakima Rocket box on the top.......HONK HONK!!!

those guys are a couple sandwiches shy of a picnic basket.........plum crazy even.......

Will do, thanks Judy, we'll get some pics in here when we get back for sure. Hopefully a few TW live too.

We have passports in hand. Funny story, I was born in Germany(military baby) and my passport arrived a few days after my wife and kids. They said they were going without me........I told them they had my last name and without me they weren't going either because I was going to call the authorities on them for being illegal aliens........stressing the alien part....

I figure I may never go again, but if I did, it would be to see the falls mostly frozen, I bet that would be beautiful!

Actually we are taking the Tacoma, Delmarva and Janster said above they didn't take the Taco's on their trips.

no apoligies Jan, jump in wherever about whatever, it's all good.....but yeah, those dudes are drenalin junkies for sure!!

 

Yeah it takes a certain kind of nut-job to be a boater lol. Those guys are actually an awesome bunch!

If the kids are getting amped up about stuffing themselves into barrels definately take them rafting during the trip! The youghiogheny river is a good detour, very scenic and tame enough for the entire family. Also you are pretty close to the Grand Canyon of the East- Letchworth Gorge, which is a really tame quick rafting trip, but the scenery is amazing.

 

^^is that you in your avatar going over the falls?....thanks for the info. Only going to be there for a day so we didn't want to have too much 'planned'. Thought about the boat ride down the river to the whirlpool....not sure though.

 

Yup, small but fun waterfall.

The jet boats that go up the rapids look awesome, I'd look into those!

 

Tacoma is loaded and we're heading out....catch ya'll on the flip side and maybe on TW live.........

 

What a great time!!! I'll try to make time this weekend to get pics loaded up, but for now here is a few from the phone..............

just arrived at goat island and got 20mpg on the first leg of the trip fully loaded with 3 adults and 2 eleven year olds. I was impressed. TSB springs required all the way folks!!!

lookey Jan, I thought of your pic when I got up there and took the same poser pic!!

from the Maid Of The Mist.............


hope to get better pics up this weekend.

 

and the twin ankle biters...........

 

That's Awesome!!! Great PIcts!! Glad you had a great time!!

That's a really great shot of the ankle biters! hehehee....

One of these days, we'll get up there again but visit the Canadian side.
All that water - is making me want to go swimming in this hot weather!!