Niagara Falls

Our campground near Niagara Falls was called Shangri-La Family Campground in St. Catharines, Ontario. It doesn't have wifi or sewer hookups, but does have water and 50 amp service which was very necessary with the humidity and heat during the day. TV reception with just an antenna was great, altho the stations came from Buffalo, not Canada. There is a dump station, but for $8 Canadian you can have the guy come to your site with a tank and empty your rig. They have been having a drought here much like California so the grass was pretty brown. Golf carts are also available for rent for $50/day.

Shangri-La looks a lot different than we pictured it.

We are staying for 3 nights so we have time to see things. The first full day we took the dogs to find a dog park but the directions were inaccurate and we never did find one. We drove around St. Catharines and found a cute farmer's market downtown. We bought a few fruits and veggies and some bread and then headed for Niagara Falls.

The last time I was here was when Ryan was still in high school (early 90s) and his school was in a band competition in Toronto. It was April and freezing cold. This day was beautiful and we were early enough in the day to not see big crowds or have trouble finding parking. Parking is $22/day Canadian ($16.69 US).

American Falls

Looking back from Horseshoe Falls toward the US 

Horseshoe Falls with Canadian boat up close 

Canadian boat going to Horseshoe Falls

Top of the Falls

Niagara River flowing to the falls

On the way back we drove to Niagara-on-the-Lake, a small touristy town on Lake Ontario. The shops all looked pretty pricey and there were huge crowds of people. It's a beautiful town and I wouldn't mind spending more time there.

We drove from there along Lakeshore Road which passes several wineries and vineyards. I did not realize you could grow grapes here...thought it would be too cold in winter. Wine and alcohol are sold in LCBO stores (Liquor Control Board of Ontario). There are also Beer Stores. Nothing in grocery stores.

                            

 

There is a nice little marina in St. Catharines where some people have spaces in an RV park of sorts right along the shore of Lake Ontario. They look pretty permanent, but may only be there for the warmer months. They had electricity and water hookups...not sure about sewer.

St Catharine Marina

Pop ups for picnicking on the Marina

Lake Ontario was so calm and clear

RV 'park' along shore near marina

Calm Lake Ontario...didn't notice the sign before (warning not to swim here)

We decided to go to the American side the next day without the dogs. I bought tickets online for The Maid of the Mist boat which only sails from the American side. We could have used the Canadian boats, but I didn't know about it at the time. Re-entering the US at the border was interesting and not so friendly. We really felt we were being interrogated and driving instructions weren't very clear. The Canadian border patrol was much nicer to us. We went early enough to be on one of the first boats so, again, no lines and no problem finding parking. Parking on this side is $10/day US. As we were leaving crowds were showing up and the weather was getting warmer. Perfect timing in our opinion.

View from the American side bridge

View above the boat dock for Maid of the Mist

Viewing platform 230' above boat dock

American Falls

Bottom of American Falls

Approaching Horseshoe Falls

Horseshoe Falls from the boat

600,000 gallons per second of falling water, 18 stories high

It was a thundering and wet ride but so much fun. 

Found these guys sorting through the "Single-Stream" Recycling bin.

Today, we're headed back into the States to avoid the Civic Day holiday.  EVERY campsite in this part of Canada was full so we had to leave the country or stay in a Wal-Mart parking lot.  Which, we understand, is also a favorite thing for Canadians to do.