Canada Trip, Day 2
August 5, 2008

8:30 AM

The natives are restless, and a new day has dawned. First order of business, we need to check out the pool. After a couple quick pop-tarts, the kids are suited up and ready for a dip. Indoor pool here at the Doubletree, but the kids give it a thumbs up.

10:00 AM

Blogging, packing, calling for a late check out (would you expect anything else with this clan of Neumeier's?), and loading the van. One more stop at the concierge and it is by unanimous decision that we must visit the back side of the falls. Yes, there is such a tour in Niagara, and it is aptly called, Journey Behind the Falls.

Noon

To the van to put on tennis shoes (lesson learned from yesterdays walk), and we were off for the 20 minute or so walk back down to the Horseshoe Falls. We can feel the mist today before we can even see the falls! We find the location, back in area referred to as Table Rock, we get in line for tickets. We are told the next tour is 2PM, which is perfect, as we are ready for lunch!

12:30 PM

A nice lunch spot called Elements overlooks the Horseshoe Falls, and we promptly got seated for a meal. The kids menu boasted a free sundae for each kid that completed the search word puzzle. That kept them occupied while we waited on desert.

Less pricey, great view and better food than the revolving dining room from last night, so note that on your next trip to the falls.

1:45 PM

Off to the line for the 2 PM tour, only to find out that they are a little behind. The line goes quite a bit back, but we can see the door. What we didn't know then, is there was plenty more waiting inside the doors! Not to worry, we moved through the lines on this very popular attraction, and soon had our (yellow) raincoats on and were sent down the elevator into the tunnels. It was here that we learned over 34 million gallons of water passed over the falls every minute. Wow.

3:00 PM


Only 25 feet (er, 9 meters?) from the base of the river below, it felt as if we were in a monsoon! Only 3 of us (Kayla, Zac and I) braved to make it to the railing. I didn't dare pull out the camera here! Quickly back into the tunnel, we wandered down to where the viewing portals were behind the falls.

The thunderous sounds in this portal were just plain incredible! The kids each threw coins and made a wish. There were two such portals, and while you couldn't really see anything but the water and the mist, you could certainly feel the power of this massive wonder!

4:00 PM

We make our way back to the van at the hotel, and plan the run to Toronto. The GPS says only 125 Km, so off we go!

Now, let me pause here and comment on the QEW. The posted limit is 80KPH. I had the cruise set at 100KPH and about got ran over. Never mind the signs that threatend severe penalties for going to fast, or that things were policed by planes... It was keep up or get ran over! So we cruised most of the way at 112KPH. We were making good time, and the Km's were flying by. And then we got the traffic. Bumper to bumper, nearly stopped, peaking at 25KPH, it was well past 6PM before we found our hotel.

6:30 PM

Check in at the Radisson went smooth. Underground parking, pool checked out on the roof of the 5th floor, sleep number beds newly installed.

6:45 PM

Sleep number bed is broken. Call to the desk and maintenance is here in an instant. 30 minutes later, maintenance main and member from housekeeping have the bed torn apart. We decide to go to dinner.

7:00 PM

Everyone agree the Hard Rock Cafe. And since it is raining, we also agreed to the newer HRC across the street at the skydome. There is a Blue Jays game going on, and apparently this HRC overlooks the dome.

7:30 PM

A short walk and we find it! Not crowded (nor is the game against Oakland), we quickly get a seat, and not so quickly got service. Eventually I was sipping Molson, which I finally learned to order correctly (ask for a Canadian).

Dinner wasn't bad, limited menu here, but we ate, took pictures and watched some of the game.

After dinner, we hustled back to the hotel, and decided to turn in early tonight.

9:00 PM

They are watching Big Brother on CBS, and I am blogging. We hope to visit the Hockey Hall of Fame first thing tomorrow. Hope the weather clears!

Good night.