House That Isaiah Built

NO, you are not in Candyland, but would you believe Niagara Falls NY — it's this is not one of the tourist attractions, although neighbors might feel differently.

Its owner, Isaiah Henry Robertson, a native of Jamaica and former home-builder, would buy houses cheap, renovate, then sell them for a profit. (A practice called flipping.) Things changed one day when he claims that God told him that he was in Niagara Falls for a reason, and it's where the world will end in 2014. And, he said that God guided him to become a prophet, guiding Robertson to transform a run down Niagara Falls house into a showplace. Its purpose was to catch people's attention so they could be saved. This home definitely does that.

Robertson complied and the house, which he lives in, is a technicolor attraction which he maintains by continually repainting the multi-denominational religious symbols — doves, trumpets, crescents, multi-pointed stars and LOTS of wheels.

At the back of the driveway is a 25-foot kaleidoscopic cross, loaded with hundreds of multi-colored wooden wheels, which Robertson claims represent God. There's more symbolism — a rock and anchor out by the sidewalk that represent the Empty Tomb of Christ.

Many people drive by the home, snap a fast photo and drive off, ourselves included. We were on our way to the train station and spotted the home. Reportedly, its owner welcomes visitors, whether church-going or not; being short on time, we didn't stop to ring the doorbell.

It's not TOO late, if you want to get information and are in the area sometime before Doomsday 2014 (unsure WHAT date). Just take a drive down Ontario Avenue in Niagara Falls, NY. — You can't this house (trust me).

Still Working at 97

Not a person, but an aerial cable car that crosses the Niagara Whirlpool, daily from early March until early November.

It's called the Spanish or Whirlpool Aero Car and despite its advanced age of 97, it's one of Niagara Falls most popular attractions. Designed by Spanish engineer Leonardo Torres Quevado in 1916, and upgraded several times, the system uses a single car that carries 35 standing passengers. Originally, the car was open, but a roof was added in later designs.

The cable car is suspended from six sturdy cables and offers a view of the Niagara Whirlpool, which is formed at the end of the rapids where the gorge turns abruptly counterclockwise, and the river escapes through the narrowest channel in the gorge and creates the Niagara Whirlpool. 

Once the car reaches the opposite side, passengers switch sides for the return transport; it's done while suspended in mid-air by walking around the car from one side to the other.

The trip originates on the Canadian side of the Falls and crosses over the U.S. side part way into the Whirlpool (about 500 feet) from the starting point and for about 200 feet. You don't need a passport to ride across. A round trip is about 3,600 feet and takes 10 minutes to navigate with a capacity of 35 standees. 

Some folks might be thinking, no way, and Grenville DID have me check it out beforehand, but it was a very smooth ride across and back and perfect weather. Also, as precarious as it might seem, the aero car maintains a perfect safety record, unlike some amusement car rides.

NOW, here's one attraction we did NOT take — a whirlpool jet boat ride — you will absolutely get soaking wet on this ride.

We did take the White Water Walk on a boardwalk alongside the raging rapids and didn't get wet, plus saw some spectacular views.

Cave of the Winds

It's where the expression, soaking up the experience takes on a whole new meaning — a VERY wet meaning.

And, you also put on rubber sandals and a bright yellow souvenir poncho, walk town a series of wooded boardwalks AND have one of the most unbelievable experiences ever — getting WET.

IF you are visiting Niagara Falls (and on land) you are at the Cave of the Winds and start the journey begins an elevator ride 175 feet down into the Niagara Gorge. Then, geared up, you follow a series of wooden walkways along Niagara River to the "Hurricane Deck' where the rushing torrents from the Bridal Veil Falls creates tropical storm-like conditions with winds up to 68 mph. Rainbows are usually visible day and night. 

The Cave of the Winds was an overhanging ledge at the top portion of the gorge where the waters of the Bridal Veil Falls flowed over. Due to this rock overhang, a cavern formed behind the cascading water. The cavern was discovered in 1834 by Joseph W. Ingraham, who had spotted the cave from above the gorge. The first two people to walk behind the Bridal Veil Falls into this cavern (Barry Hill White and George Sims) named it "Aeolus' Cave" after the Greek god of winds. Later, it was renamed Cave of the Winds.

Until a staircase opened in 1829, sole access into the gorge was using a ladder or a rope. By 1879, the Cave of the Winds was so popular that $1 was charged to visit it.The first accident there was in 1857 when a rock fall near the cave sent rocks falling onto tourists at the base of the gorge causing several fractures.The second accident was in 1920 when rock fell from the ceiling of the cavern, killing three people and injuring several others.

In 1925, elevators were installed to provide transportation from above the gorge to the bottom of the cave. Due to water erosion, engineers determined that the cave entrance was too dangerous; the ledge which had blocked the water was at risk of collapsing. In 1955, the cave was destroyed by a controlled dynamite blast.

The elevator takes visitors down to the level of the Niagara River at the base of the American Falls. Visitors then walk over a series of wooden red decks and platforms to the base of the Bridal Veil Falls with water crashing down and flowing beneath the decking. 

The decking is removed each fall due to the potential damage caused by ice buildup at the falls, then re-installed each spring by park officials. And, FYI, the decking is not secured to the rocks below by bolts or other construction materials; the wood beam supports are just wedged into the rock crevices.

Yes, we BOTH got VERY wet too!

Just Keep Swimming

That's what I kept thinking when I saw this exhibit at the Aquarium of Niagara Falls, remembering the 2003 film, Finding Nemo film and Dory's advice.

Did you spot Nemo the clownfish?

This is not a major aquarium by any means. Most likely we would have bypassed it if not included as part of an Adventure Pass in which a single price provides admission to various attractions, including The Maid of the Mist boat, Casa Loma, and the Royal Ontario Museum, all of which we wanted to do and see. The aquarium was sort of a "bonus." 
But on an afternoon when rain was threatened (luckily never happened) it was a good way to be indoors. Also, as we arrived late in the day, there were no bus crowds, which made exploring easier as this is a small space. Photographing aquatic exhibits in dim light is always trickily with available light, but some colorful results . . .

The aquarium opened as a privately owned corporation in summer 1965. It was founded by a small group of chemists and scientists to introduce an artificial seawater. It soon became a model for the operation of inland aquaria. Technology was applied for the first time on a large scale in the preparation, handling and management of synthetic seawater.

The Aquarium was established as an institution for education and recreation in an area with high visitation and historical dependency on the natural resources of the Great Lakes. It served students, scientists and visitors from throughout the region. Community support was strong; the innovative inland aquarium won acceptance. 

Over 1,500 aquatic animals live at the Niagara Falls aquarium, representing ecosystems ranging from the Great Lakes to coral reefs. Highlights include over 40 exhibits starring California sea lions, Peruvian penguins, seahorses, sturgeon and more. Of course, our personal favorites were these penguins. Check out those colorful feet, no need for fancy footwear . . .

In 1977, the principal the aquarium's principal owner established Sea Research Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to education and research. The aquarium became part of this foundation, a leader in marine research, deep-sea exploration and hands-on education.Then, In 1994, it was transferred to a local group, the Niagara Aquarium Foundation which continues the institution’s tradition of education, research, and wildlife conservation. 

Favorites of mine include sea horses and lionfish; everything about the showy lionfish screams Don't Touch from its zebra-like stripes, long, showy pectoral fins, and cantankerous disposition. Its venom from an array of up to 18 needle-like dorsal fins, is purely defensive; it uses camouflage and lightning-fast reflexes to capture prey, mainly fish and shrimp. A lion fish sting is very painful to humans and can cause nausea and breathing difficulties, but is rarely fatal. Seahorses, upright swimming relatives of the pipefish, are unique not just because of their equine shape, but unlike most other fish, they are monogamous and mate for life and they are among the only animal species on Earth in which the male bears the unborn young.

But these were the biggest stars of our aquarium visit, the sea lion demonstration. Children of all ages crowded in to see this show, including Grenville and myself.
But, then we suspect you already knew we were kids at heart.

Then We Took a Boat

That was AFTER the train ride described in the previous post.
And, we had lots of company, several hundred in fact and most of then (including ourselves) got wet — VERY wet on the 30-minute Maid of the Mist tour of Niagara Falls. It's the most famous attraction other than the Falls, of course.

The Maid of the Mist operates from late spring to late October annually. The 80-feet long boats can hold over 500 passengers and have two 350-horsepower engines that carry the vessels against the powerful current. A recyclable souvenir raincoat is provided with the cost of admission as protection against the mist and spray.  But, if you want to experience the full enjoyment of this ride and stand along the outside railing, you will get wet anyway.

The tour boats are named Maid of the Mist, followed by a different Roman numeral (the most recent one is VII). The boat starts off at a calm part of the Niagara River, near the Rainbow Bridge. Its route takes it past the American and Bridal Veil Falls, then into the dense mist of spray inside the basin of the Horseshoe Falls or Canadian Falls. The tour is accessible from either the Canadian or American side of the river.

It's one of North America’s oldest tourist attraction. The first Maid of the Mist was launched in May 1846 as a ferry service between the Canadian and American sides, pre-dating by two years the construction of the first Niagara Falls Suspension Bridge at the site. The ferry service business declined when the bridge opened as people crossed the Niagara River using the bridge instead of the ferry. By 1854, it was a tourist sightseeing attraction.The original coal-fired, wooden boat was replaced by the steel, diesel-powered ships. Hundreds of thousands of people from all over the world take this tour each year.

And now Grenville and I can be included in that count (this was our first trip to Niagara Falls). Grenville was really much more excited than he looks !

Just wondering — have YOU ever visited Niagara Falls ?