GETTYSBURG to NIAGARA FALLS

Friday – Today is a long drive – well, not as long as some we have done but long just the same.  We are making the dash to Niagara Falls – home of honeymooners and daredevils alike – feel like going over in a barrel?  No – OK.

First up though we slowly gather our belongings together and then head across the road for brekky.  We arrived back here late yesterday so did not get a chance to visit General Lee’s Headquarters (pictured above).  It is in the same complex as the main hotel – so once we have fulfilled our early morning hunger we head on over.

General Lee made his headquarters at a stone house on Seminary Ridge along the Chambersburg Pike.  The house was occupied by a 70 year-old widow, Mary Thompson, and despite its close position to the intense fighting, Mrs. Thompson remained in her home throughout the battle.  Today, there is a small museum filled with a lot of interesting artefacts gathered from near and far including the battlefields and of course there is also the customary souvenir shop.

Time for us to move on, so we check out go back over to collect our car and we are on the way.  The day is cold but we have clear weather although there are a lot of clouds hovering.  As long as they continue to hover and not dump rain upon us that is OK.  As we leave Gettysburg you cannot help remember all the fighting and death that went on here.

Soon we are out on the open highway again and the splendour of the Autumn trees now occupies our senses and lifts our spirits.  The colours are magnificent – all shades of reds, browns and golds, consequently today’s post will be mainly scenery from Gettysburg to Niagara Falls.

It is difficult on where to focus the camera – there is magnificent scenery on both sides of the road.  Hard to imagine that in a month or two these trees will be covered with metres of snow!

We pass the Little League International Baseball headquarters in South Williamsport – yet another Kodak moment.  Not a fan of baseball, I am at a loss to say anything about it – so you can look it up on the link provided.

I have heard of Babe Ruth and Monte Stratton but that is about as far as it goes – sorry.

We continue to enjoy the colours of Autumn and it seems to make the drive more enjoyable.  Kylie is driving our tank – and there is not much traffic so that is good.  A most relaxing drive.

We finally cross into New York State and know that we do not have that much further to travel – only about an hour and a bit.  The scenery is still incredible – although the further North we go – the more worrying the clouds become, but to give us hope, every now and again, there is a fabulous burst of colour.

How’s that for a feast for the senses?

The closer to the falls we get – the heavier the clouds become and all of a sudden it is turning dark.

We are now officially worrying about the weather.

We cross over the Niagara River and get our first view of the Falls, well the mist off the Falls to be precise – how exciting.  The skies have lightened up a bit so that also gives our spirits a lift.  We head for our hotel – Howard Johnson Closest to the Falls – isn’t that a mouthful?  One of the cheaper hotels in the area we hope we will get a view of the Falls.

Checking in is painless but we are told that no hotel this side of the river has a view of the Falls, only the hotels on the Canadian side have the views, however we will have a park view.  This is not so bad as the trees have that wonderful colour and we can see the Canadian side with the Skylon Tower.  Unfortunately we will not be able to visit the Tower because we cannot take the car into Canada due to some insurance regulation.  That’s a real bugger as we have already prebooked our tickets.  Oh well, life goes on.

Our room is apparently typical of Howard Johnson, sparse but adequate and clean.  We unpack and then decide to head on over to get some shots of the Falls.  It is around 6.30pm so the light is fading.  Nevermind, we will get some night shots as well.  The Falls are lit when it gets dark so that will be good.

We leave the safety of our hotel and walk towards the Falls – it is only a short walk of about 10 minutes.  The wind has now picked up and is gale force – I kid you not.  Plus it is freezing cold!  Just as well I have my trusty jacket, hat, gloves etc.  These are Niagara Falls – what incredible power and beauty.

We are standing out on the viewing platform which is right at the end of the walkway out over the edge.  OMG it is cold and windy but I manage to stabilize the camera and get some good photos.

This is a photo of the Rainbow Bridge.  An arch bridge across the Niagara River gorge, it is a world-famous tourist site. It connects the cities of Niagara Falls USA and Niagara Falls Canada. I wonder how many people get confused with that one! The bridge is so named for the fact that you can often see a rainbow over the Falls which are just downstream.  Unfortunately there will be no rainbows for us!

We do not have long to go before the lights come on – they look good from our side but if we could have been on the Canada side they would have been even better.   However, we snap away getting more photos than we need and as the wind and cold finally penetrates our bodies we decide to take refuge somewhere and have dinner.

We opt for the Hard Rock Cafe Niagara Falls.  So nice and warm inside but very red.  Still we are directed to our table and of course first up is a warming drink.

Ah – what to eat??  I order a Classic Burger – as you can see in the photo nothing flash just a normal run of the mill burger with chips on the side.

After dinner we head back to the hotel, hoping that the weather tomorrow will be better.

Highlight of the day : those magnificent Autumn trees