Last Day of Niagara wine tastings

Went to 3 local wineries in and around our campsite. Exquisite wines, trying not to buy any, we bought another case.

From the Niagara escarpment, in the distance you can see Toronto

"In Search of" Locks, Canals, Wineries

Today we spent our time touring around in search of the old canals and locks. We cross referenced the maps received at the St Cathereins Museum and google maps. Found a small park called Mountain Locks Park. This was nothing to speak of because they really haven't done anything with it. We did find a small monument and an outline of Lock #24 which was made out of wood. The plaque says it all.

Up the hill in the same park, as seen from google maps was a straight waterway and a short walk, we heard water running. As we walked around the fenced off area, through the brush we saw remnants of locks built out of fieldstone. We followed the path up the hill and crossed locks in 4 area. This section was from the 2nd canal system. 

Apparently these have been fenced off for safety sake do to the fact that a sewage treatment plant dumps processed water into them. At the lower end an aqueduct was placed and some of the canal was filled in.

After this we headed our bike for Welland as the canal was straightened to go around the town instead of through the middle of downtown. The old canal is still used for locals to a waterway. Then we drove up the Welland River which comes from the Niagara River upstream of the falls. Apparently this river is used as an extra water supply for the current canal system and was used as a detour route when the upgrade around Welland was being dug.

For more information about the history of the Welland Canals click here

After all that touring we were thirsty and needed wine so we drove down the Niagara Parkway AGAIN and to Inniskillan Winery. Had been there yesterday but it was totally busy.

Then to Vineland Winery near our campsite. It was recommended to us and we weren't disappointed. Turned out that the owner sold off Sumac Ridge winery in the 80s when people were removing grapes and moved out to the Niagara region and bought this winery.  Bought 6 bottles, 1 special for our Aunt Judy and Uncle Gary who we will be visiting in PEI.

Buildings from 1847

Niagara Parkway

Went down to Lake Erie and crossed the entrance to the Welland Canal, Port Colborne. Had lunch in the park. Beautiful little town. Something you could retire in, like the many that have because there are many retirement homes and assisted living accommodations. Many with a view of the town or Lake.

Canal entrance, Port Colborne looking south onto Lake Erie

Looking North

At the park looking south 

Yours truly

These are the first locks, built in 1833

You can actually see where the lock gates sat in the recesses

Continued down the road to the start of the Niagara River at Fort Erie. As we headed down river, on the parkway, stopped at a park under the bridge that goes over to Buffalo, NY and saw a guy dipping for minows to use for bait, as he fishes the river all the time. Even at this point, the river is very fast.

Then went for a wine tasting.

Welland Canal

Drove to the Welland Canal and parkway. Visited Thorold Museum of the little town on the canal in the municipality of St Catherines and on lock #7 Then down to St Catherines Lock 3 Museum about the locks and a bunch of other stuff, including a tribute to Lacross Hall of Fame. FREE. Well worth the money and worth seeing.

Lock #7

Lock #7, Yes, we did kiss

Lock #3, North view

Lock #3,  South view

Welland Canal History

Click here

Then a couple of wineries, Southbrook Vineyards. Organic wine, overpriced. They were okay, but...

Diamond Estates, The Winery. This is where you buy Dan Ackroyd Wines. The winery acquires vineyards, but continues the brand of these small vineyards. Many labels under 1 roof. Tasted some good wine here and a merlot was on sale for $7.95. Bought 6, great value.

Niagara Falls

Found a parking spot for the bike, cost $10 for the day. (Cars are $18) Took a tour package of the 4 most common tours -White Water Walk, - Hornblower Niagara Cruise, -Journey behind the Falls, and  -Niagara's Fury. and not to forget a 2 day pass on the local "WEGO" bus that you can hop on and off as required. And of course walking along the cliff with everyone else. Ticket agent said it wasn't very busy today, so line-ups will be short. She was right but still, there was a lot of people.

Emergency shut off gates for the Alan Beck Power plant 

above the falls

Horseshoe Falls on the Canadian side

American Falls

Yours truly

White water Walk

Class 6 Rapids

Most dangerous in the world

Hornblower Niagara Cruise

In the cue. Boats hold unto 700 people

Julie and I with our ponchos

On the way up the river without a paddle

Original Electric power plant decommissioned in 1999

Getting Close

Pretty fricking close

US Falls and the elevator to "Maid in the Mist"

Journey Behind the Falls

The tunnels are man made. They cut 2 openings under and behind the falls 1 100 meters and 1 200 meter or 1/3 the way out behind the falls. The noise of the water overhead was the most impressive.

Niagara's Fury

2 movies, one animated, sort of corny, about how Niagara Falls was formed.  The other was a 4D 360 degree movie. Yes we had to wear our plastic ponchos again. This time the poncho colour was blue. You need to be there to experience it. Picture and Video taping was not allowed.

When we got out of the movies, came outside and fabulous rainbows had formed over the falls. Too Cool!

Above the falls, the inlet for the power plant 

that was decommissioned in 1999

Note the rusted barge wreck near the top right.

Day off

I got nothin!