Day 10 - To Niagara Falls

Up at 5.30 to get ready for the trip to Niagara Falls. Caught the bus at China Town in Downtown NYC and out through the Holland Tunnel which goes under the Hudson River into New Jersey. I think we saw the worst of Jersey City, it really acts as a satellite suburb of NYC so I’m sure it has beautiful areas. We drove along the motorway through a very industrial area, all railways, steel plants, concrete depots; everything looked dilapidated and covered in coal or concrete dust. It didn’t help that all the leaves are off the trees and all the grass is brown so there is not an ounce of greenery anywhere. Makes it all look barren and depressing.

Back into New York State (all the way to Niagara Falls) and sort of followed the Hudson River north, lots of heavily timbered country with not much farming activity, looked mostly like National Park.

Turned west at Albany this is where wheat, sorghum and other cereal crops seem to be quite dominant although at this time of year most paddocks are blanketed in snow. A few cattle and sheep spotted but not many, must be too cold for them? Drove to East Cobbleskill and had a stop at Howes Cave, a system of limestone caves accessible down 120 steps then a walk along a very narrow, low roofed walkway which was dripping water and had water running along the floor for the length of it to an underground water fall formed by a natural spring. Some in the party weren’t keen to descend into the hole in the ground and once at the end were unnaturally keen to get back to the sunshine.

The highlight of the stop though was undoubtedly the frozen lake beside the caves. There had been a hole knocked into the ice near the edge and it would appear the ice was between 1 and 2 inches deep, there was also an inch of snow covering the whole lake, was a beautiful spot. No ‘Keep off’ signs so we all walked out cautiously. Everyone threw at least one snowball at someone, the kids had an absolute ball, it was like being at the beach, just a little colder!!!

Left there for our 4.5hr drive to Niagara Falls, lots of snoozing happening.

Arrived at about 7.30, booked into the hotel and had tea. It's a 5 minute walk to the American Falls, we then walked across Goat Island to the Horseshoe Falls, the main lookout was closed due to icy conditions, pleasant walk though!! Amazing water falls, we can hear the thunder of the water from out motel and the amount of water going over them in mind boggling!!

Late night again, early start tomorrow.

The last person how got lost in the caves

Down we go

Even further

Are we ever going to get out???

Got to the end - lets turn around and not get lost on the way back?

Wishing well near the frozen lake

Not much danger today?

What is Elliott doing??

I see - snow angels

Another crazy angel

Two snow angels

Luke on ice

Athletic William reaching for the sky

A few family snaps

On the road to Niagara Falls

Golf may be out of bounds today?

Statue of Tesla at the falls

And here we are!!!!

You do the maths......lots of water from these falls, 

and these