Turtle Tales: Day 29 - Bucket List - One more check mark please!

We rose early this morning and left for Niagara Falls around 9:30. It was nice not to have to worry about the dogs while we were gone!

Christine, the manager here at the RV campground, told us an easy route to the Falls as well as to where to park when we got there. It was really nice to be able to park and pick up the trolley which cruises through the Niagara State Park (the oldest state park in the United States - founded in 1885) to all the sites. For $2 a person, it was a bargain! That was our total expense while visiting the Falls! Everyone kept telling us to get Discovery Discount Tickets that would enable us to see all the sites in the Park, but we knew we were there to see the Falls, and we really weren't interested in the Aquarium ( we've been to so many), and the Discovery Center was closed. That left the Maid of the Mist boat ride, and the Cave of the Winds. We opted not to do either of those, primarily due to the walking distance, which was difficult for Jim and Joan's fear of caves and rapids. We were there primarily to see the Falls, and we were not disappointed! We began our viewing at Prospect Point which allowed us the view of the American Falls, the Bridal Veil Falls and in the distance the Horseshoe Falls. We also viewed the Rainbow Bridge which crosses over the Niagara River into Canada. From there, we took the trolley to Goat Island and viewed the Horseshoe Falls at a closer vantage at Terrapin Point. We had planned to eat lunch at the Top of the Falls Restaurant, but it was closed for a private function. We did visit the Visitor Center and purchased a few souvenirs. We did not cross into Canada as the walk was too much for Jim and the automobile traffic was heavy.

For over a century, Niagara Falls State Park has played host to visitors who have come from all over the world to watch water and gravity inspire and amaze. Today's experience is by far the most memorable because of enhanced access to the history, geology and beauty of this special place. We were definitely amazed and inspired.

To say that the Falls are spectacular, awesome and riveting is appropriate, and an understatement! To experience them first hand is a once in a lifetime experience that is truly undescribable! It was truly a spiritual and moving experience!

The lighthouse hunt continues.......

We left the Falls around 1 PM, and headed for Grand Island to find the Grand Island Lighthouse.

This lighthouse is located on property that is now the Buffalo Launch Club (Yacht Club). The boats here were amazing! The lighthouse is in great shape and can be seen from the highway for a great distance.

The second -fifth lighthouses we saw today were viewed from the Coast Guard Station in Buffalo, N.Y. The first lighthouse is called the "Buffalo Main Lighthouse" and was erected in 1825 and is reputed to be the oldest lighthouse on the Great Lakes. BTW - we are now viewing lighhouses on Lake Erie - the third Great Lake we have visited. From this same vantage point, we viewed the "Buffalo Intake Crib" light. It is located directly opposite Buffalo Main Lighthouse, but about 1/4 mile off shore. We also viewed the "Buffalo Harbor Light" located on the breakwater at the Buffalo River entrance. As viewed from the Coast Guard Station, it was off to the left about 1/2 mile. The final lighthouse viewed from this vantage point was the "Buffalo North Breakwater Light" which originally was located on the north breakwater but has been moved on shore next to Buffalo Main. This particular light is called a "bottle light".

The final lighthouse we viewed today was the "Buffalo South Entrance - South Side Lighthouse". It can be seen from Gallagher Pier.

We stopped for lunch at a place called Dugs Dive and had a delicious meal. History tells us that Dug's Dive originally was a eating establishment owned by William Douglas, a freed slave. The establishment was noted for it's rowdy and bawdy clientele which consisted of sailors, highway men, and prostitutes. A dive is a tavern that is downstairs (like in the cellar), dank, noisy, smokey and boisterous. Today's version is nothing like that, and we enjoyed the ambiance and the food!

Today was a fun-filled day and we are thrilled to have had the opportunity to share this experience with you! If you don't do anything else in your life, plan a trip to Niagara Falls! Add it to your Bucket List - You will not be disappointed!

Enjoy the pictures of the day!

To date, on Part II of the Journey, we have seen 19 lighthouses and traveled 2,604 miles (Not counting side trips to hunt down lighthouses and to visit attractions/historical sites) When we add the miles for side trips, the total mileage is 5,519 miles!

Tomorrow we plan a cruise through the Erie Canal and locks 34 & 35. History awaits!

Our early morning greeters!