Bracebridge - Niagara Falls

The night was short because I couldn't sleep. Somehow, I had the feeling that the bedding was scratching. Maybe it was just psychological reasons, but this dive just didn't leave a good impression. Anyway, I was glad to leave at 8:00 am. The owners were nice, but such loveless rooms are simply unacceptable.

The weather is gloomy and I drive on the highway to Toronto. The influence of the big city is noticeable. Two lanes quickly become four, and in the end, there are six. And the traffic is insane. It's a massive traffic jam around Toronto. Yes, the biggest Canadian city is a behemoth. I'm almost glad that I flew to Montreal. Although Toronto is supposed to be beautiful. But there are way too many people for me.

Even as I leave this metropolis, it takes a while for the traffic to subside. It's a little over 100 km to Niagara Falls, and the weather is getting worse. The visibility is simply lousy, and it's raining quite a bit. I already imagine that I won't be able to see these waterfalls, but only vaguely recognize them in the background. But as often happens during my journey, it clears up a bit in the end.

When I arrive in the city, I am amazed. There is absolutely nothing going on. The streets are quite empty and the hotels seem deserted. I find my accommodation really quickly and even get a room at 11:00 am. Julian, the nice owner, says that it's really busy here in the summer. I chose a good time to visit. I also think so. The room is by far the cheapest so far and is in the top 5 of my trip. The competition is really huge and at this time they lower the prices. I get a map of where to go and after a short conversation about my room, I set off.

Past numerous huge parking lots and hotel blocks, I walk the suggested path and after 15 minutes, I hear a rushing sound. After another 5 minutes, I see this natural wonder in front of me. Tears well up in my eyes. It's even more impressive than I ever imagined. And when you hear about it as a little boy and stand in front of it someday, you can hardly believe your eyes. The Canadian side gives you a direct view of the actually 3 waterfalls that plummet down here. From the US side, you can only view them from the side.

On the far left are the already impressive American Falls, which hit a pile of debris and have always been deadly for people who have fallen down from there. Directly to the right are the "small" Bridal Veil Falls, which of course are a little overshadowed by their big siblings.

The most powerful of the three falls are the Horseshoe Falls, which let 90% of the water plunge down 51 meters on the very right. The spray that is created is so huge that you can't even see the middle of the waterfall from here. This sight really takes your breath away. The boat tours that get close to this mighty waterfall look like small toy boats from above. It's noticeable that the American boats are all fully occupied, while the Canadian ones are only filled to about a third. This is probably mainly because you can see everything super well from my side.

That's why I skip the boat ride and don't need to dry off afterwards. Because from what I've read, you get completely soaked. The plastic cover you get doesn't protect you much. I spend 3 hours taking in this view and walk from one end to the other, unable to believe that I'm here. No picture can depict the power that is unleashed here. It's a sight I will never forget.

After the rain starts again a little, I go to Clifton Hill, the amusement district of Niagara Falls. And this place is really terrible. Snack stands line up next to obscure amusement places and souvenir shops. It looks almost a little sad with as few visitors as there are now. I decide to go to a beer bar for the first and also the last time, I think. There, I treat myself to a few craft beers that are brewed here. Most of them were good, but the cranberry wheat tasted like wet socks. Yuck.

At 5 pm, tired but truly happy, I return to my accommodation. The detour here, as far as it was, was incredibly worth it. And even though tomorrow will be a pretty annoying travel day, with a probably unpleasant drive past Toronto to my final accommodation, I will never regret having taken this final round. The Indian summer and the falls were simply a dream. And also a very unplanned one. I am very, very happy. What a privilege to be able to make such a trip.