The Honeyheads: We Did This

We, sans children, just came back from a beautiful town north of the Canadian border called Niagra-on-the-Lake. The area is picturesque, full of vineyards, old forts and of course, an enormous waterfall or two. (The above photo is one of the cafes on main street and gives you an idea of the look of the town. I enjoyed our first day there by shopping in this area with three other women who came with their husbands.)

Brian and I had been to this area a few years ago when we lived on Long Island. We camped on the Canadian side for July fourth weekend. We noticed during that trip the boat rides you could take that went right up to the base of the falls. We now know this is called "Maid of the Mist."

So we were back there this week for a business conference of Brian's and decided we should do the boat ride. Brian booked it (I think during one of his meetings) and we were set to go out Wednesday afternoon.

Let me say that I had seen the pictures of the boats that went out from this particular dock and I thought I had specifically asked for a COVERED boat. Brian is absolutely positive I requested an UNCOVERED boat.

What is the big difference, right?

The covered boat on the left only requires the guest to wear their normal clothes and a life jacket. The other boat has a weathered shed full of layers of smelly clothing that you must don before you set out on your torture ride. These clothes looked they were purchased from the wardrobes of the guys from "A Perfect Storm." We had a ribbed sweater, a jumpsuit, a hooded raincoat specially designed to drip water down your back when you tried to put the hood on and water shoes that were already dripping wet. Oh, and the life-jacket. These clothes, we were told, were not to keep you dry but to keep you warm. Hmmm.

We went up the Niagra river, through class five rapids, to the whirlpool created by a bend in the river down from the waterfall. Did not go in the whirlpool. Could not see the falls. Came back through the rapids. By the time this ride was finished my forehead was numb from the water that had hit it repeatedly. I wondered if I was going to freeze to death because I was seriously thinking of going to sleep.

The whole point of this uncovered boat ride, we learned, is to get wet. Most of our fellow passengers were 13 and under. And actually, getting wet is not such a bad idea in July, but this is May in Canada. Have you ever been to Canada in May? Our first night there was 39 degrees. The water was cold. And it was being thrown at us like we were in some kind of hurricane experiment. Our guide told us we would be slammed with a fifteen-foot wall of water at several spots in our ride. (You should have seen Brian's face when he realized what he was in for. Priceless.)

I must also make it a point to tell you where we sat in this boat of three engines that went sixty-five miles an hour before and after we were fully drenched. We sat in the front. Can you even see the people in the front row in the picture above? Nope. That was us. Brian and Amy Jordon. Defineitely an experience we will remember. And hopefully not repeat.

The boat ride is one of the most memorable moments of our trip. We also celebrated our anniversary by dining in the nicest restaurant I have ever been to, went out for a late movie just because we could, and enjoyed wine and cheese by the river made by a local winery. (The wine was made there, not the river.)