As I walked along the top of the American Falls, I watched the rapids quickly flow forward, burrowing toward the crest. The water was a gorgeous teal color, with green land accenting its curves perfectly. Walking further up the trail, I began to see the large gorge forming just under the Canadian skyline where the falls would cascade. I rounded the corner of the American Falls and it was revealed to me in its entirety. The bellowing water outburst over the crest, plunging 200-feet down into the earth. In return, gallons of mist float back up into the sky making it seem somehow calm, despite the raging falls. Across the base of the falls, lustrous colors of blue, green, red and orange glisten in the form of a crested rainbow. Tiny birds off in the distance glide through the air in the middle of the gorge. This scene is the single most stunning sight I have ever had the pleasure of observing.
Niagara Falls, the second largest waterfall in the world, is the combination of three enormous waterfalls on the international border of Canada and the United States. It was formed many years ago when large ice sheets that covered the land began to melt and release vast amounts of water into the basins. Ever since, there has been a steady erosion through the bedrock, continually pushing back the gorgeous falls. Eventually, the earth caused it to split into two channels, forming Goat Island that lies between the American Falls and Horseshoe Falls. This island provides for an area where tourists can hike down to the base of the falls and experience its beauty from a closer perspective: The Cave of the Winds.
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Imagine that you are lowered 200-feet down the side of the gorge to the base of the waterfall. As you proceed to the light at the end of the tunnel, you begin to see the outburst of blue spread across your entire view. Thousands of seagulls glide over the water, making homes out of the miles of brush under the falls. To your right, there is a deck followed by a bridge that leads you down and across the basin of the falls. As you look upward, you can see the apparent explosion of water erupting over the edge of the cliff. Gallons of water droplets are being thrust onto you among the mist. You are allowed to walk close enough to the waterfall that you are directly next to the rocks, having water poured onto you as if you were taking a shower. Finally, completely under the falls, you outreach your arms in pure bliss. This is happiness.
There are more than 12-million people who visit Niagara Falls each year from all over the world. In fact, it is the oldest state park in the United States, being created over 12,000 years ago. In addition, 20-percent of the world’s freshwater flows over the falls, a pretty impressive number. Probably the most interesting fact is that the energy from the falls is utilized as hydro-electric power, fueling parts of the US and Canada. I had an absolutely remarkable time visiting the falls, and I recommend the trip to everyone.
