"Fumaroles" - Niagara Falls & Surroundings August 2019

Folks and books suggested that we spend time on the NY side of Niagara Falls because it was in a more natural state than Niagara Falls, Canada side. So we arranged for two nights in Buffalo, not realizing what a wonderful city it was.

We both wanted to visit Niagara Falls. Naomi had been there with her dad in 1964. I, born and raised in NY had never been there. Niagara Falls is a wonder of the world right up there with our seeing lava from the Kīlauea volcano flow into the Pacific Ocean. That created fumaroles as well.

Fumaroles.  I never had heard that word before.  Coincidentally, I was reading “The Wild Muir - 22 of John Muir’s Greatest Adventures” at this time, for my Old Spokes book club.  Muir used the term repeatedly when describing the waterfalls he encountered in Yosemite. Some might say the term should be reserved for volcanos: “Fumarole, vent in the Earth’s surface from which steam and volcanic gases are emitted.” I’ll go with John Muir because it’s such a great word.

There were many surprises & treats in store for us as we embarked on this portion of our recent adventure.

We never had Buffalo chicken wings before.

A Tift row house circa 1864, in the Allentown Historic District of Buffalo. Several sources said this was the place to go for buffalo wings. Correct, & we walked from The Mansion.

We had read on line about parking here (free) with easy walking access to the Maid of the Mist.

We had planned on the Maid of the Mist ride for the next day. But, we were there, it was a long drive from Buffalo & the boats on the NY side were not as packed as those on the Canadian side..

We had the boat almost to ourselves.

And, 1964!

Fumeroles arising from the waterfalls.

The Maid of the Mist fare included entrance to Niagara Falls USA Prospect Point Observation Tower. It afforded unobstructed views of the Niagara Falls & the river below..

We were on the observation platform when we noticed this spectacle appearing. It was the British RAF Red Arrows 2019 North American Tour.

We learned that the tenth aircraft was photographing the event.

Two nights later we were to spend the night at that last hotel, the Fallsview (apropos) Marriott in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada.

Of course we shared a Niagara Delight cone.

The Elmwood District of Buffalo.

Another Buffalo edible treat. The one on the right is beef on weck.

August but in Buffalo I guess you always have to be prepared.

We stayed at the 19th century Mansion on Delaware Ave.

Gins from local distillaries. They both made for excellent in G & T's. Who could resist "Complimentary Evening Cocktails" before we went out for cocktails & dinner?

The front desk manager, Jevon, enjoyed filling us in on the history of the Mansion & facts about Buffalo. After the break, I got off a few bank shots on that pool table.

The stables & living quarters for stable hands behind the mansions on Delaware St.

The circa 1931 Art Deco Buffalo City Hall, with a 28th floor observation deck, "Windows on Buffalo."

Grover was a busy man. He was the Erie County sheriff before all that.

He had a tag on a lanyard & asked if we had questions. We assumed he was a guide but was a city actuary, on a break, who loved his city & knew a lot.

He pointed out the fumerole from Niagara Falls (blue line). We would never have known.

In the photo below, the brown elevators to the right of the bridge, have a nighttime light show projected on them.

The white grain elevators are General Mills. When Cheerios are made, Buffalo smells like them. In front of them is the terminus of the Erie Canal.

A happy, multi-term, city councilman we met in the basement.

Common Council Chambers.

We got to the Fallsview Marriott early & our room was ready! We knew the view would be there when we returned. Off we went to Niagara-On-The Lake, Ontario. It was a beautiful short drive away.

Festive tops.

The NY Times Travel Section had just published "36 Hours in Niagara-On-The-Lake, Ontario." Who knew? It was a delightful spot.

19th-century Fort George was built by the British to defend against American attacks. And attack they did, capturing it in May 1813 during the War of 1812.

Our room was about there.

With that view, we had room service for dinner & breakfast. We anticipated the light show but the fireworks were a pleasant surprise.

The circa 1925 Peace Bridge between Canada & the U.S.A. It's the busiest northern border crossing for automobiles.

Heading SE towards the Scenic Byway Seaway Trail along Lake Erie & to Original American Kazoo Co. in Eden, NY, & on to Hammondsport.