Wow, it’s not even funny anymore. We can pretty much expect rain anytime we go near the airplane. We woke this morning to chilly air and light rain at Deerhurst. We got everything packed up and set near the door of our rooms and then headed over to the main building for breakfast. After eating, I went out to the lobby to use the wi-fi and check the weather. Just how bad was this rain?
Not too bad, actually –just some patchy light rain in our area. There was some more serious weather closer to our destination in Niagara Falls, but I saw a path around it to the West, so we decided to go ahead as planned. Nick was there again and was as helpful as ever. While we were eating, he got all our bags loaded up in the shuttle and came with us to the airstrip to help load the plane.
Once we got in, I took my time and checked everything twice. The winds were light, so I elected to use runway 23 which slopes downhill to give us a running start. We had plenty of runway (3,000 feet), but the trees at the end looked especially unforgiving, so I didn’t want to make any foolish errors. We back-taxied to the very start of the runway, turned around and lined up for takeoff. I held the brakes as I advanced the power to the takeoff setting. Once last glance at the gauges showed everything normal, so I released the brakes and we went speeding down the narrow strip and launched into the rainy, gray clouds.
We popped out of the clouds and into sunshine at 8,000 feet and had a very pleasant flight. As we approached our destination, I was happy to see that I still had a clear path around the weather about 35 miles West of our route and we were able to get in with no problems. After securing the airplane and taking out a couple bags for the overnight stay, we went into the terminal building just as it started to rain again. Perfect timing! I had reserved a couple small rental cars and we had to wait about 10 – 15 minutes until they were delivered and we were on our way.
I had reserved a private tour starting at 1pm, so we had just enough time to get to the hotel and have lunch before it was time to check in at the tour desk. We had a stretch limo waiting out front to transport us around for the afternoon. The kids loved it!
We started off with a short driving tour around the upper falls and ended up at “Niagara’s Fury”, a 20 minute movie about the geological history of the falls and how they came to be. Then, we stepped into an adjacent theater for a (4-D ?) fly-by of the falls complete with wind, snow, mist, and splashing water. Good thing they gave us ponchos!
Next, we took the elevator down to the tunnels under the foot of the falls. We were able to peek out at several openings behind the falls and then visit an observation area outside just near the base. It was really impressive and, again, the poncho’s were essential because of all the spray and mist.
Next, we got back in the limo and drove downriver a short distance to the famous “Maid of the Mist” boat tour. There were a ton of people there, but they really run a good operation –3 boats running, always one loading & unloading) and we didn’t have to wait very long. The boys & I staked out a spot on the top level near the rail for maximum spray from the falls, while Michele & her parents kept Megan on the lower level. The boat left the dock and started up stream toward the falls, getting closer and closer. Finally, it seemed that the captain was going to put the bow right into the falls –it was awesome and we got SOAKED! I tried snapping pictures, but the spray would put water droplets on the lens quicker than I could wipe them off. I’m glad I didn’t bring the big SLR camera on this tour!
We still had about 90 minutes left with the limo, so the driver suggested we tour the area and offered to drive us to nearby Niagara on the lake. We stopped off at a winery on the way and Michele, Sandy, & I went in for a quick tasting. As I was standing there sipping wine in my wet, smelly clothes, I decided that I really had enough for one day and I’d like to go to the hotel and get a shower.
So, we did just that. We got cleaned up and then met back downstairs @ 6:30pm for the short ride to Skylon tower revolving restaurant. The food was good and the view was outstanding. The kids really enjoyed that, as well. After dinner, Michele & her parents strolled Megan a few blocks to the Hard Rock Café to get some T-shirts and I took the boys back to the room to check on the weather for our flight tomorrow. There is a lot of nasty weather in Michigan right now, but it appears to be south of our route and forecast to stay that way.
Michele & co. got back to the room just in time for the 10pm fireworks display over the falls. We have a corner suite with an awesome view, so everybody gathered there to watch the show. What a fun & busy day! Tomorrow, (if the weather is OK), we’ll make the 2 hour flight to Grand Rapids and return to the good ol’ US of A.
Not too bad, actually –just some patchy light rain in our area. There was some more serious weather closer to our destination in Niagara Falls, but I saw a path around it to the West, so we decided to go ahead as planned. Nick was there again and was as helpful as ever. While we were eating, he got all our bags loaded up in the shuttle and came with us to the airstrip to help load the plane.
Once we got in, I took my time and checked everything twice. The winds were light, so I elected to use runway 23 which slopes downhill to give us a running start. We had plenty of runway (3,000 feet), but the trees at the end looked especially unforgiving, so I didn’t want to make any foolish errors. We back-taxied to the very start of the runway, turned around and lined up for takeoff. I held the brakes as I advanced the power to the takeoff setting. Once last glance at the gauges showed everything normal, so I released the brakes and we went speeding down the narrow strip and launched into the rainy, gray clouds.
We popped out of the clouds and into sunshine at 8,000 feet and had a very pleasant flight. As we approached our destination, I was happy to see that I still had a clear path around the weather about 35 miles West of our route and we were able to get in with no problems. After securing the airplane and taking out a couple bags for the overnight stay, we went into the terminal building just as it started to rain again. Perfect timing! I had reserved a couple small rental cars and we had to wait about 10 – 15 minutes until they were delivered and we were on our way.
I had reserved a private tour starting at 1pm, so we had just enough time to get to the hotel and have lunch before it was time to check in at the tour desk. We had a stretch limo waiting out front to transport us around for the afternoon. The kids loved it!
We started off with a short driving tour around the upper falls and ended up at “Niagara’s Fury”, a 20 minute movie about the geological history of the falls and how they came to be. Then, we stepped into an adjacent theater for a (4-D ?) fly-by of the falls complete with wind, snow, mist, and splashing water. Good thing they gave us ponchos!
Next, we took the elevator down to the tunnels under the foot of the falls. We were able to peek out at several openings behind the falls and then visit an observation area outside just near the base. It was really impressive and, again, the poncho’s were essential because of all the spray and mist.
Next, we got back in the limo and drove downriver a short distance to the famous “Maid of the Mist” boat tour. There were a ton of people there, but they really run a good operation –3 boats running, always one loading & unloading) and we didn’t have to wait very long. The boys & I staked out a spot on the top level near the rail for maximum spray from the falls, while Michele & her parents kept Megan on the lower level. The boat left the dock and started up stream toward the falls, getting closer and closer. Finally, it seemed that the captain was going to put the bow right into the falls –it was awesome and we got SOAKED! I tried snapping pictures, but the spray would put water droplets on the lens quicker than I could wipe them off. I’m glad I didn’t bring the big SLR camera on this tour!
We still had about 90 minutes left with the limo, so the driver suggested we tour the area and offered to drive us to nearby Niagara on the lake. We stopped off at a winery on the way and Michele, Sandy, & I went in for a quick tasting. As I was standing there sipping wine in my wet, smelly clothes, I decided that I really had enough for one day and I’d like to go to the hotel and get a shower.
So, we did just that. We got cleaned up and then met back downstairs @ 6:30pm for the short ride to Skylon tower revolving restaurant. The food was good and the view was outstanding. The kids really enjoyed that, as well. After dinner, Michele & her parents strolled Megan a few blocks to the Hard Rock Café to get some T-shirts and I took the boys back to the room to check on the weather for our flight tomorrow. There is a lot of nasty weather in Michigan right now, but it appears to be south of our route and forecast to stay that way.
Michele & co. got back to the room just in time for the 10pm fireworks display over the falls. We have a corner suite with an awesome view, so everybody gathered there to watch the show. What a fun & busy day! Tomorrow, (if the weather is OK), we’ll make the 2 hour flight to Grand Rapids and return to the good ol’ US of A.
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