Day 3- Our Day In Two Countries

We spent the day on a very hot bus tour. We were first on at 9:00 AM for what was supposed to be a 6 hour tour. We picked up several more people on the US side and then crossed the border by way of the Rainbow Bridge. This was a relatively painless experience, the Canadian Border Agent came on board the bus, looked at 9 passports and wished us a pleasant visit. After picking up several more guests, we totaled 18 all together, we were off to the Skylon Tower for an exterior elevator ride to the top of this 20 story observation platform for a 360 degree look of both the American and Horseshoe or Canadian falls. There is also a revolving restaurant which we are told is pretty tasty. Other highlights of the tour included some history of the area, views of hydroelectric towers past and present, the view of the falls from Table Rock ( way to much mist) a refreshing voyage on the Maid Of The Mist to the base of the Canadian Falls, a stop at the Whirlpool, Botanical Gardens, Floral Clock and a refreshment break before we crossed the border once more back to the American side of Niagara. This time, the US Border Agent came on board, asked the driver a few questions and then asked all passengers to come inside. Our passports were scanned, several questions asked and once more, we were back on the bus and on our way. We traveled to Three Sisters Island for some interesting photos ( more on this later ) and then we were off to Goat Island for a trip to the Cave Of The Winds. By this time, we’re on our 8th hour of the tour and I’m toasted so I tell the guide I’m not interested in donning one more plastic bag, aka rain poncho, and climbing down and back up about a million very slippery steps to get drenched under Bridal Veil Falls. Okay so it was only about 100 steps and the view must have been amazing, the spray probably would have felt really good but let’s face it, it wouldn’t do anyone any good if I had slipped ( I’m a klutz ) or worse, passed out from heat on the way back. There was a lovely breeze where we sat in the shade and tons of people to watch as they posed for photos with a 15 foot statue of Nicola Tesla. The end of the 9 hour plus tour found us getting gas and making our way back to the very same Wal-Mart of the night before.