Blog: 30andout on LiveVideo.com

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 8, 2008 (11:00 AM)

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Niagara

I’ve talked about this in videos, but it’s been on my mind lately, so it’s showing up here.

I have this thing for the Niagara River and Niagara Falls. Of course, it shows in my videos, from the Bird Island Pier at Lake Erie to the Fort Niagara lighthouse at Lake Ontario.

The gorge below Niagara Falls is beautiful, and it’s easy to spend a whole day walking the trails at the bottom of it. Usually, I’m only able to allow three to four hours, including travel time, so I end up short-changing myself. I’ve even gone down into Devil’s Hole knowing I had to be back at the top in an hour. A fast ten minutes down and a fast (and breathless) ten minutes back up, with a good half hour just soaking up the view. It’s worth allowing even that short period of time for that part of the river.

Devil's Stairs

Then there’s Niagara Falls State Park. I could go there three days in a row (and have) spending three hours each day taking pictures (and video). With three different views of the Falls, and dozens of vantage points, it’s never a disappointment.

And the Upper Rapids are just as exciting. Whether it’s along the main shore of the rapids above the Falls, along the edge of Goat Island or at Three Sisters Islands, the sight of that sheer power is enough to draw you in – as it has done, literally, to those without the will to resist.

	When I have enough time, I cross the Rainbow Bridge into Canada. It’s probably a mile walk across the bridge and back along the gorge to the edge of the Horseshoe Falls for what is probably the most exhilarating view from the top of the gorge. The twenty dollar parking fee is plenty of incentive to make the walk.

Back on the American side, the base of the Observation Tower and the Hurricane Deck of the Cave of the Winds, on each side of the American Falls, take you right to the base of the Falls. Leaving with dry clothing is not an option. Another spectacular view from an even lower level can be had on the deck of the Maid of the Mist. There are four boats that can be boarded at the base of the Observation Tower in New York, or from a dock on the Canadian side of the gorge. They take you so close to the base of the Horseshoe Falls that you’d swear a barrel was going to come down on you!

I should have the time to revisit some of these places by September. In the meantime, I recently found some video from October that I never got around to editing. I almost found the time in June, but got sidetracked by real world issues. I’m working on that now, and should have it up today. It’s footage taken from the deck of the Maid of the Mist. It’s a breathtaking ride, and I hope that shows in the video.

Below the Falls

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Posted Sep 5, 08 by SillyLeslie (

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The place that you choose to spend your time..Niagra is truly beautiful. I'd say you have excellent judgment about where to hang out!

Posted Aug 8, 08 by 30andout
Niagara Falls in the winter is just as beautiful. You won't be disappointed, Syd!

Posted Aug 8, 08 by LVbianSynic (

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I love the Falls. I'm so glad to have been there once but I'd love to come back. When I do, Ken, you can be sure I'll be a-callin'! I would so love to finally meet you! I might just be travelin' back East this winter, so who knows...!

Posted Aug 8, 08 by B4Salk (

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As I've told you before, one side of the falls was shut down when I visited in about 1968, so I love seeing all you have on this.