Saturday, October 9th

Considering how much sightseeing we packed into yesterday, no one could have blamed us if we opted to take it easy this morning. But this was going to be our last day in Canada and our checkout time was at noon, so after a quick breakfast we ventured out for one more close encounter with the falls. Behind our hotel, we found an incline railcar offering trips to Table Rock, an observation area where you can stand just two feet from the edge of Horseshoe Falls.

The Table Rock Complex includes the typical tourist snack bars and souvenir shops, but it's also the entry point for the Journey Behind the Falls. Now that the weekend had arrived the crowds had increased and there was a line to endure. Interesting trivia about Niagara (did you know the first person to go over the falls in a barrel was a woman?) helped pass the time until we reached the elevator, which traveled 125 feet down through solid rock. Once again, plastic rain suits were issued (a snappy yellow this time) before we went out onto the observation deck.

Located at the base of Horseshoe Falls, the observation deck is probably the only Niagara attraction where you actually get wetter than Maid of the Mist. As the thundering water plunges into Niagara gorge, billows of white mist sweep across the deck, drenching everyone with sheets of water. There is also a series of tunnels snaking through the rock, which lead to openings behind the curtain of water going over the falls. The whole experience is about the closest you can get to feeling Niagara's fury without a barrel. You can't help but be impressed.

Horseshoe Falls, as seen from the Table Rock observation area. You just can't get much closer...

...unless you venture down to the bottom of the falls...

...or go behind the falls. Yes, that white area behind us is the back of Horseshoe Falls.

Returning to the surface, there was one last round of souvenir shopping, then we took the incline railcar back up to our hotel. Earlier in the morning, we had joked about the high fare for what amounted to just a minor hill. Now, looking up from the bottom and wearing wet, heavy clothes, the fare to ride back up seemed much more reasonable.

Linda, Frances, Sherri & Richard pose for one last picture before leaving Niagara.

After changing into dry clothes and packing up our belongings, we checked out of the Embassy Suites with minutes to spare. Our flight wasn't scheduled to leave Buffalo until 7:00pm, so we decided to return to Niagara-on-the-Lake, keeping an eye open for any other sights we might have missed along the way yesterday. We visited another winery and stopped by a botanical garden which featured a huge clock made entirely out of flowers (what will those wacky Canadians think of next?). Richard consulted the map and located a winery he wanted to visit in a nearby town. So, after another leisurely drive through Niagara-on-the-Lake, we headed north in search of Cave Spring Cellars.

   
We went to Cave Spring for the wine but adored the adjoining restaurant, On the Twenty.
The food was wonderful; so was the dining room view with large windows overlooking Twenty Mile Creek.

Cave Spring turned out to be a hidden gem. Located on the edge of the Niagara Escarpment in a town called Jordan, the vineyards were planted in the mid 70's. As the company prospered, their line grew to include Chardonnays, Merlots, Rieslings and, of course, IceWine. Eventually the owners purchased several adjoining buildings and decided to open The Inn on the Twenty, a 26 room hotel which also includes one of of the Niagara areas best dining spots, On the Twenty. The lunch we enjoyed there was easily the finest meal of our trip. The food was spectacular, the service friendly, and the meal was followed by a visit to our table from chef Roberto Fracchioni. Trust us, if you're ever in this part of Canada, it's worth a drive to Jordan just to dine at On the Twenty.

On the shores of Lake Ontario, Richard and Linda enjoy a moment of peaceful reflection.
Then they got into a fight and pushed each other into the lake. No, no ... just kidding.

It was getting late in the afternoon, so we reluctantly headed south. Driving along the shores of Lake Ontario we soon reached Queen Elizabeth Way and, fearing a long delay at the border, we decided to forego scenic routes and take the highway. As is the norm when Gary's driving, a missed exit resulted in our taking the long way around and crossing the border just outside of Buffalo. Still, we made excellent time, passed through the security checkpoint in a flash, found the airport, turned in our van and reached our departing gate... with over an hour to spare.

Once we finally took off, the return flight to Atlanta was ahead of schedule and landed early. We had requested a wheelchair for Frances, but were surprised when a spiffy electric van pulled up instead. The speedy vehicle took us off the beaten path, venturing through parts of the airport that were very Area 51ish. Crossing tarmacs, venturing underground, bypassing luggage conveyors and darting through maintenance halls soon brought us to a welcome destination; our luggage carousel! If only we could get this kind of treatment every time we went to the airport.

Well, that brings us to the end of our little excursion. It was a whirlwind three days, crammed full of activities and adventure. In a very short time we had seen Niagara Falls from pretty much every angle. Below, beside, above and very, very far above. But perhaps more importantly, we had done it as a family. Sharing such natural wonder with those you love tends to enhance the experience, something we've already learned with our trips to Colorado. This was a trip none of us will ever forget, and proof positive that families can travel together and have a good time. Even if there is just one bathroom.

Happy Birthday, Frances
with love from
Richard, Sherri, Linda & Gary