Day 18, Niagra falls!

A beautiful surprise. I woke up this morning at an overpriced campground (almost $90/night)! For that price I expect someone to clean my motorhome and wash my sheets, but no, after all this is one of Canada's top tourist attractions and the season is short and we are visiting on a long weekend which adds up to very pricy accommodation. I am overwhelmed by the number of tourist gimmicks concentrated into a very small space. Everyone wants a piece of the tourist pie. not having done any prior research I had no idea which "package" that was offered was the best way to experience the falls. In the end being overwhelmed resulted not in just choosing something... Anything! But in choosing nothing at all. A very good choice. We took the shuttle, a meager $6 per adult (added to the $90/night) to the falls where we were greeted, not with a big iron gate demanding yet another overprice admission, but a lovely park like atmosphere with a meandering walkway that led you right beside the spectacular rushing water toward the plumiting horseshoe falls! We strolled and enjoyed a morning double, double from Tim Hortons and watched the boats bring people into the rolling water at the bottom of the falls. Took lots of photos but the sun in the mist made it difficult to see the horseshoe shape until later in the morning. We finally decided on the behind the falls tunnel experience (there is a charge for this) and down we went, 125 feet down, with our fashionable yellow slicker attire. Wow, the wind took my breath away and we were soaked within seconds. The power of the falls is awesome, and I am so glad my kids have listened to our Jonathan park audio stories and knew some of the history of the falls. It was fun to learn that the first person who went over the falls in a barrel was a lady who was a school teacher but also that she took her cat with her! We also read that the only person to ever accidentally go over the falls was a 7 year old boy who was victim of a boating accident and he survived and was rescued by the Maid of the mist who spotted him. We did not take a waterproof camera so photos were a bit of a challenge. Lunch and a few more pictures now that the sun was higher and we went to catch the shuttle back to the campsite. I can't tell you how pleased I am to know that this national treasure has not been put behind bars and toll booths so that the public can enjoy it without charge. Now I can't say the same for Yoho natIonal park, where it cost us $20 just for the pleasure of pulling over to have lunch and stretch our legs, you have to buy a park pass just to stop within the park.

Back at the campsite we swam to cool off, then the kids rigged up some costumes to participate in the organized kids club "holloween" trick or treat event. All the kids in the campground gathered and were led through the campground to collect candy just like a real Halloween. 

Tomorrow auntie paula leaves us even though I have tried hard to convince her to stay till the east coast. We have had a wonderful time with Auntie and Caleb.