Journey to Niagara Falls

Part of my job as a dorm administrator is to accompany the students on their cultural excursions, whether it is a movie on Friday night or a war on the paintball field.  So on Saturday morning, the six summer students (say that five times fast!) and I traveled to Niagara Falls, NY.

The two/ two and a half hour drive to the Falls left all the students in a fantasy dream world as one by one they dozed off.  I guess it’s still tough for teenagers to fully wake up in the morning hours!  Though I secretly wished for someone to talk to on the drive, I was thankful for the blue skies and light traffic.

As soon as I found a parking spot (not the easiest thing to do on a sunny Saturday morning) we piled out of the van and our adventure began.  Our itinerary was simple: the Maid of the Mist, sight seeing and eat.  “What do you guys want to do first?” I asked.

They discussed the matter for a moment and replied, “Let’s eat!”  Their answer did not surprise me.  What else do teenage boys want to do after a long car ride? 

After a short walk and climb up a flight of stairs, we reached the Top of the Falls restaurant that overlooked a fraction of the Horseshoe Falls.  The students and I gazed in wonder at the grandeur of the Falls from this view.  Our cell phones and cameras were out and we took pictures.  But this was only a glimpse of the majestic views that we would later see.

View from the Top of the Falls restaurant

A curious quote from Abraham Lincoln, our 16th President, was penned across the top of our menu:  “The thing that struck me most forcibly when I saw the Falls was, where in the world did all that water come from?”  When one considers that 150,000 gallons of water pour over the American Falls per second and 600,000 gallons over the Horseshoe Falls, President Lincoln’s insight is something to ponder (for source click here).

After our scrumptious meal of somewhat expensive wraps, hamburgers and pasta dishes, we explored a closer and more majestic view of the Horseshoe Falls. 

Rising mist from the basin of Horseshoe Falls

A Maid of the Mist boat approaching Horseshoe Falls

Beauty on the Edge

The six summer students

Afterwards, we traveled along the path...

"Hurry up guys!"

And viewed the Bridal Veil Falls and the American Falls. 

View of American Falls and Luna Island

Rainbow by the Falls

"What do you think it is down there?"

But the Maid of the Mist voyaged climaxed our trip.  We bought our tickets, walked across the observation deck with dizzying heights, descended in an elevator and then stood in line for about fifteen minutes.  When we neared the harbor, they gave us thin, blue ponchos to wear before we boarded the Maid of the Mist VI.

The boys in blue

Once aboard we climbed to the top deck and found a place to stand near the starboard railing.  As soon as enough people crowded aboard, the ship began her voyage.  As some quiet, recorded voice spoke about the Falls, the swirling water below us and the sheer fact that we glided across the water on a boat enticed us more.  We rode past the American and Bridal Veil Falls.  What a magnificent view!

American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls from Maid of the Mist

One of the students and I heard lots of commotion on the port side of the boat and went to investigate it.  As we rounded the captain’s bridge, a rush of wind and heavy mist splashed against us—cold, startling but very refreshing on a hot summer’s day.  As the Maid of the Mist continued her journey into the center of Horseshoe Falls the wind increased, and the heavy mist and spray enveloped us.  Needless to say, we all got a little wet.

The Beginning of Horseshoe Falls

More of Horseshoe Falls

"Look out more water!"

And, yes, even I got wet and had a wet hat kind of a day afterwards!

Then all at once, our voyage was over and it was time to leave the majestic place.  How did the students like it?  "It was beautiful!" One said.  "It shocked my heart!" Another said.  And others used words like magnificent and grandeur and wonderful. 

I again quote President Lincoln: “Niagara Falls!  By what mysterious power is it that millions and millions, are drawn from all parts of the world to gaze upon Niagara Falls?” (click for source here).  Ironically, he answered his question by saying, “There is no mystery about the thing itself.”  Ah…no mystery, perhaps.  The water runs down the river, over bumpy rapids and then plunges off the cliffs by gravity.  No mystery? Not really.  However, Niagara Falls doesn't need to hide any mystery.  Her bold face, thunderous roar and graceful mist and rainbows capture our eyes and hearts.  She was never meant to be a mystery but a declaration of God's majestic, grandeur and beautiful handiwork.


When at last we arrived in the mini van and began our journey home, once again the six summer students drifted off into a peaceful slumber (I think anyway) and left me to ponder the majestic waterfalls.  Back at the dorms the sunset reminded me again of God's artistic beauty...but that is a topic for another day.

Sunset over Erie