Day 18 – September 22

Day 18 - September 22 

I never thought I would quote Charles Dickens, but it works for me because yesterday was the best of times, it was the worst of times—at Niagara Falls.

Why?

We boarded the James V. Glynn around 9:50 a.m. It is one of two all-electric, zero-emission sightseeing vessels operated by Maid of the Mist at Niagara Falls. It is named after the company’s longtime chairman and CEO, who purchased the business in 1971 and passed away in 2025.

The captain pulled the James V. Glynn away from the boarding dock and took us past the American Falls, where we got our first exposure to the heavy mist on our way to Horseshoe Falls.

A couple of minutes later, the captain positioned the James V. Glynn less than 100 yards from the 167-foot curtain of falling water. We were at the closest point accessible by boat, sailing directly into the basin at the base of Horseshoe Falls.

We were surrounded on three sides by falling water and enveloped in a massive wall of mist. The captain kept us there for several minutes.

It was exciting!

We were so close that the intense roar of the water drowned out conversation, and we were drenched by the heavy mist from the falls. Fortunately, our ponchos kept us “mostly” dry.

The water in the basin was turbulent, causing the boat to rock back and forth. The roar of the falls, the heavy mist, and the turbulent white water, in my opinion, made it better than any ride at Disney—sorry, Disney fans.

Why?

Because it was exciting, drenching, and real!

It was the best of times—at Niagara Falls!

Then we crossed over to the Canadian side to view the falls from above, but Mother Nature created an almost impossible situation when we tried to get close to where the water goes over the edge of Horseshoe Falls.

Why?

It was a cool, windy day. Add that to the wind and mist created by the falls, and the area where we wanted to be was like standing in a tropical storm—strong winds and horizontal rain produced by the mist from the falls.

We were drenched!

Our ponchos did very little to keep us dry. Because of that, we decided to retreat to our Bronco Sport.

After only thirty minutes of fighting the elements—we got wetter there than we did on the Maid of the Mist—I paid the $40 parking fee. Yes, $40!

For basically nothing.

It was the worst of times—at Niagara Falls.

But in hindsight, it was actually fun battling the tropical-storm-like conditions at the top of Horseshoe Falls. I love severe weather, and the experience of battling those elements at the edge of one of the most powerful waterfalls in the world is something I will never forget.

We have experienced so many great sights on this trip—including Niagara Falls. But the Maid of the Mist ride, combined with battling the intense conditions at the top of Horseshoe Falls, made this stop the most fun we’ve had.

The best of times. The worst of times.

And one heck of a time!

Until next time…we’re dry and traveling on.

More photos