Water is Wet

 Unlike other trips, neither Eddie nor I did much advance historical research…Eddie, being Eddie, selected the various restaurants we should eat at, I was in Charge of what we should do when we weren’t eating-our usually division of labor.  On Tuesday we determined we wanted to take in the waters of the Falls…That means get on one of the boats that take you to both the American Falls and the Canadian Falls.  With that much water, you can be assured that you are going to get wet.  If you board the boats on the US side, you are on the Maid of the Mist and given royal blue rain ponchos.  If you board on the Canadian side you are in the Hornblower and given red rain ponchos.  I guess Canada and the Brit connection can claim the red ponchos. Everyone on both vessels (all electric and carbon neutral since 2022) had their ponchos on, it is quite the sight to see 200 people fluttering in  the elements, getting soaking wet…and paying for it.    There are a couple other players in the get your passengers wet business, but they are not the original one…and you know us we are all about authentic experiences.  There are 6 or 7 different sights on the Combo US Canadian tour, along with a history lesson or two.  Did you Google Tesla (person, not the car)  and Westinghouse?  

After Monday’s airport work out, Tuesday’s tour had my Apple Watch asking me if I was Karen or had my watch been stolen.  When I lapped the 15,000 steps and multiple flights of steps for the second day, I am surprised my watch did not contact 911…kinda like the folks on Roller Coaster where the descent is such that they think you have fallen.  I keep getting “Good Job” and “Keep it up” or asking if I wanted to change my fitness goals.  No, you can go back to your stand when we go back home…and you can tell me to stand up when I have been sitting too long, again.  Thanks, Apple….I like my earthworm status.  

Back to our tour, and of course, the Eddie story…cause that is what you read my blog for anyway.  When we booked our tour with Over the Falls, they actually call you and tell you that you are going to get wet-and what that means for shoe wear, unnecessary items, and clothing.They send you an email with same information, text you with same information.  They will not be accused of not letting you know about the water being wet.  Trip Advisor 5 stars rating are at stake… With a 6-7 hour trip, wet heavy pants, soggy feet were something that we decided we would prepare for.  Eddie had some water resistant hiking shoes, water resistant pants, his water resistant jacket with hood.  He decided that he would not need the additional poncho that is provided,  He was the only person without a Blue disposable rain poncho on when we pulled away from the Mist’s dock on the US side.  As our guide had asked us to retain our poncho as a later stop would required a poncho and the yellow one that the Cave in the Wind provided was inferior to the blue one that we would be given on the Maid.  Eddie blames the lack of hearing aides (he left them at the hotel, fearing they would get wet and die, we are after all rule followers) on not hearing the get and retain the blue poncho instruction.  Eddie’s keep dry method was fine for the “feeling the power and misting water” of the Falls.  By the time we arrived at the Cave of the Winds, close to the site of the first hydroelectric power plant in North America-hello Tesla and Westinghouse, it had gotten warm.  Especially when you are walking and climbing steps.  Eddie had started peeling like an orange, and was no longer protected from the elements with his trusty rain jacket with hood and baseball cap combo.  We descend the stairs to the elevator to go to the Cave in the Wind.  Everyone else dawned their retained blue poncho.  Poor Eddie was stuck with the really flimsy yellow one that they issue you.  Think Hefty, Hefty, Hefty (Blue Poncho) versus Wimpy, Wimpy, Wimpy and small (Yellow Poncho) Did I mention that while not high season, these places run on a schedule and there are people lined up to board the elevators to go down to the lower part of the American Falls…that is the “Cave” part.  Our tour was a “skip the line” affair, so we were hustled past the long lines, so no time to put on the yellow cleaning bag with a hoodie.  I had my blue retained poncho on, Eddie struggled to get the yellow one over his head in the crowded elevator.  I will pause for a moment so you can get a mental picture…classic Three Stooges slap stick…on message for Niagara Falls.  By the time we reach the wooden walkway and stairs, and the powerful mist and water, I turned to find Eddie stuffed into the yellow poncho, with hoodie portion firmly in the front.  No do overs here.  Onward!  To the thundering Falls and wet water.  

I now know why they print a warning on plastic bags…small children and old people should not be allowed to play with plastic bags.  Eddie got a little damp during this part of the tour,…and yes, I have pictures to use in the Christmas card.  While the Falls are impressive up close  

and personal, Eddie wet with his yellow poncho backwards..was priceless.  

We ended Tuesday with a nap and warm shower before dinner-we are not use to this much activity…my Apple Watch says so…oh yeah, laughter is truly the best medicine.