Niagara Falls in one afternoon

Last weekend, we had a bit of business that took us to Buffalo, New York. So, we jumped on the opportunity to take a quick day trip to Niagara Falls with R and A.  With my call schedule, and Rob's flying schedule, we couldn't leave for Buffalo until Sunday morning, the day before Labor Day. We were on the first flight out and after a long layover in O'Hare, which we filled with a leisurely breakfast of omelets at Berghoff Cafe, we arrived in Buffalo at 1:30 p.m.

Our business was completed in short order and we made our way over to Niagara Falls State Park on what turned out to be possibly the busiest day EVER!

 We had one destination in mind and agreed in advance that no matter how long the lines were reported to be, we would wait.  We wanted to see Cave of the Winds: the one place where you can get closest to the falls.

We bought our tickets: $54 for the four of us seemed like a reasonable price.  Especially when you consider that the price includes these lovely sandals!

Yes. This photo took some coercion. 

The sandals begin to make much more sense once you reach the falls and find yourself walking on slippery decking in sometimes several inches of water.

The line to Cave of the Winds was indeed LOOOONG.  We waited for 2 hours and 40 minutes.  A little bit of ice-cream happened during that time to make it slightly more bearable!

Here is one of the views along the serpentine queue

Here we are nearing the end of our wait.

And now, for the good pics.  The Falls were....all the usual words and more.  Magnificent. Overwhelming. Awe inspiring.  You should go there.

They provide rain ponchos.  A lovely look overall, don't you think?

As we got closer. We got much more wet.

Eventually, I had to turn off my camera. It was drowning.  Here are some after pics. 

It was getting dark. The lights of the Canadian side beckoned. 

So, we walked across the pedestrian bridge, passports in hand, went through customs and spent about half an hour in Canada. Just enough time for a t-shirt purchase!

It was a short trip, but we made the most of our afternoon and evening!  The kids loved it and were, as always very pleasant traveling companions.  Even on the ten hour drive home the next day.