What is your favorite place to go in your city?

I was born on the Atlantic Ocean under the water sign and my ancestors were sailing people; it is no wonder I am drawn to the water and have never been happy in a land locker area.

Just a mile away is Niagara Falls State Park which is centered around the three majestic Falls. While I don’t get down there as much as I would like, it never gets old.

Nor is it ever quite the same…

When Niagara Falls were first formed, they were several miles up the river; but as time has passed – thousands of years – erosion of the land from the constant water flow has steadily pushed further down the river. In a few more thousands of years, they really will be a part of Buffalo.

But since the Falls have been used to harness electricity, the flow of the river has been curtailed and the erosion slowed to just a couple of inches each year.

Niagara Falls are really three separate falls – the American Falls, the Bridal Veil Falls, and the Horseshoe Falls – also called the Canadian Falls. The American Falls separate the mainland of New York state and Luna Island. The Bridal Veil Falls are very narrow and do resemble a bride’s veil. They run between Luna Island and Goat Island. The Horseshoe Falls run between Goat Island – which is a part of New York and the United States – and Niagara Falls in Ontario, Canada.

There is a great deal of debate over who has the best view of the Falls. Standing at Prospect Point or on the Observation Deck, visitors can see all three of the Falls

Walking a ross the pedestrian bridge or taking the shuttle over to Goat Island and then walking along the river or going down the stairs to Luna Island, a visitor can actually stand between the American and Bridal Veil Falls.

Walking up the stairs to Goat Island and along the river is Terrapin Point and the American side of the Horseshoe Falls where visitors can stand right at the water’s edge – separated only by a guard rail.

There are guard rails all along the Falls, the Rapids, and the river. It is illegal to cross over the railing – punishable by a $10,000 fine and jail time.

On the Canadian side of the river, visitors can get a panoramic view of The Falls. It is frequently the view used for ads and the like.

Of course, the ultimate view of the Falls is from the Maid of the Mist boat ride that takes visitors within feet of the Horseshoe Falls – close enough to get wet from the spray without the poncho provided!

Walking in Niagara Falls State Park – the oldest state park in the nation – is always a peaceful and beautiful sight any time of the year. Their are a number of very small islands connected to Goat Island by bridges like the Three Sisters.

So, why is it called Goat Island??? At one time a couple of hundred years ago, a gentleman farmer who keep his livestock on the island to keep them safe from predator animals. One year the winter was very harsh and the farmer could not get across the river to tend his animals and when he finally made it over to the island, all of them had died, save one stubborn old goat!

I do not get to the park and the Falls near as much as ai would like, but it is a great pleasure when I do.