Voyage South of the Falls
September 8, 2014
My most recent scenic tour of my new home region comes south of Niagara Falls. For this particular outing, I eschewed Google’s recommendations and took Taylor Road past the outlet mall and up the escarpment to Mountain Road.
The climb up the escarpment was in two manageable stages and there were paved shoulders on both roads. In addition, the roads seemed well-maintained and were not littered with potholes, unlike what I’m accustomed to from my years in the SPRM.
Passing Walker Industries. Disclaimer: I have no connection to this organization.
Turning east at Mountain Road towards the QEW.
From atop the escarpment, you can see all the way across the lake. In the distance is the C.U. skyline.
I proceeded south on Dorchester Road, east on McLeod Road, then south on Portage Road past Marineland.
Everyone loves Marineland.
I then headed through the village of Chippawa. As the sign says, Chippawa is the home town of James Cameron, a famed Hollywood director who worked on many films including The Terminator, a true classic.
While taking some shots at the bridge over the Welland River, an older couple sitting on a nearby bench kindly pointed out the weasel. I talked to them briefly and they asked me if I moved to St. Catharines for school. Those of you who know me may pause for a moment to laugh hysterically.
After passing through Chippawa, I found the Niagara Parkway Trail and headed south. The sign said Fort Erie was 24 km away and that journey will have to wait for another day. Nonetheless, I did make it past Navy Island, cycling through scenery that reminded me of scenes from Gone with the Wind. I kept expecting to find Rhett Butler on his horse coming around the next bend.
Pictures don’t do the area justice.
I imagine this would be a popular golf course for those who are so inclined.
I turned around here and headed back to the Falls, stopping for more pictures along the way.
This humble abode was for sale. $3.2 million or best offer takes it.
The Willoughby Historical Museum. Curiously, the sign on the door said it was closed for the season. Since when is early September out of season in one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations?
More homes along the route.
The historical marker for Navy Island at the south end of the island.
Clear water. It’s still a novelty to see, coming from the murky shores of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers.
Farther north on the trail, I stopped at the Chippawa Battlefield Park, site of another famous battle during the War of 1812, or more appropriately, the War of 1812-1815.
The northern shore of Navy Island. Interestingly, Navy Island was once mentioned as a prospective site for the United Nations headquarters following World War II.
The northern bridge connecting Grand Island to the mainland in New York State.
Robert Moses Parkway. This is why the Canadian side of Niagara Falls remains much more popular than its American counterpart as my neighbor, a native of Niagara Falls, NY, can attest.
Near Main Street in Chippawa, the trail cuts across the water towards the Falls.
The Niagara Falls skyline. That’s mist coming from the falls, not the aftermath of an arsonist, one of the ten most popular occupations in my former home city.
The dam as part of the hydroelectric generating station.
Another couple of skyline shots.
The mighty Niagara River.
At Dufferin Islands, or “Daufferin,” as my late grandfather would say.
I stopped by the Floral Showhouse, but I’ll save a trip inside for a future visit. The price of admission was a reasonable $5.65, but I was outraged to see that they want $5/hour for parking. There’s a difference between charging a fair price and gouging. This falls into the latter category.
The incline railway and adjacent Welcome Center.
Before heading inside to the Welcome Center, I had to hunt high and low before finding a rack to lock up my bike. Given the number of cyclists who traverse the Niagara Parkway, the lack of facilities for guests arriving on two wheels is a rather significant oversight that I hope is addressed in the near future.
Once again, I knew I was not alone. You may understand. You may not.
I know one and perhaps only one reader will appreciate this.
Elements on the Falls. Any connection to a former pair of colleagues from my distant past is strictly unavoidable. Most readers, even my close friends, will not understand.
Tourists line the railing to get a good view of the falls.
Still others want a more up close and personal look.
Before leaving, I took a ride down Fallsview Boulevard and noticed a traffic jam in front of the Embassy Suites Hotel. I presume this is for the valet parking.
The Fallsview Casino, an ATM for the government.
I couldn’t help but stop to get a shot of this billboard. The farmer did not make my eggs today, a chicken did.
A reminder of a piece of my past. I wonder if it’s a fighting moose or just a regular moose. One reader will understand more than most.
Political incorrectness in its most egregious form.
It was an interesting outing and yet another positive experience. Once again, I only wish I had come here sooner.
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