Niagara falls.

I WAS under a waterfall once, at Niagara falls; it was so exciting! We were in Toronto visiting friends and relatives and decided to go to the falls one afternoon. As with most tourist attractions, it was very busy both in the parking lot AND in the queue. But once we got inside we decided to avoid further congestion and headed to the area where one could “walk underneath the falls”. Not many people chose to do this, perhaps it was too wet an idea or maybe those with children worried about them falling in, etc.

However off we went down a corridor and to an area where we donned huge rain coats and hats. They had been worn by others (obviously) and were a bit damp and unpleasant. The walk to the area was through a cavernous sort of cave; similarly damp and somewhat slippery. The walls seeped with moisture and water dripped onto our fortunately hatted heads. The outcome was worth it though, we stepped into an open area where an open, “window ” had been cut into the rock.

There, we could stand and gaze at the cascade of water shooting past our heads going endlessly down, down, down to its final destination (which we couldn’t see)

After we had returned we gratefully removed the coats and hats then went up to the usual viewing area. There, we acted like tourists, snapping lots of pictures and basking in the intense July heat. The Niagara falls are truly awe inspiring and well worth seeing.

Here’s some interesting facts about the Falls;

• The first person to attempt to go over Niagara Falls in a barrel was a 63-year-old woman. Seeking fame and fortune, schoolteacher Annie Taylor loaded herself – and her cat – up in a barrel and descended over the falls in 1901. She survived.
• Niagara Falls received its reputation as the “Honeymoon Capital of the World” when Aaron Burr’s daughter-Theodosia-chose a Niagara Falls honeymoon in 1801. She was followed up by Jerome Bonaparte-Napoleon’s brother-in 1804 and, thus, a tradition was born. Now over 50,000 Niagara honeymoons are arranged each year.
• In 1848, Niagara Falls actually stopped flowing for 30 hours when ice fields from Lake Erie jammed at the source of the river.
• Marilyn Monroe visited the falls to film portions of the thriller Niagara Falls, released in 1953. Other notable visitors have included King George the V in 1939 and Princess Diana with her sons in 1991.