Words cannot describe how majestic and beautiful Niagara falls are. You immediately understand why this is one of the 7 Wonders of the World the minute you lay eyes on God's amazing creation. Even the kids were speechless when they saw the 150,000 gallons of water per second fall off the 176 foot cliff, and that's just the American Falls. Horseshoe Falls dumps 600,000 gallons of water off its 167 feet. The mist from the falls looks like a mass of smoke billowing up way over 300 ft in the air. You can see it from many miles away. The sound of the falls thundering and crashing into the rocks below is so profound that if you were blind you would still fully grasp the greatness and power of the falls. The thought of the crazy people throughout history who have dared to challenge this force of nature by riding down her face sends shivers down my spine. We actually saw a movie that talked about some of the people who have survived. One was a boy in the 1960's who went down by mistake when his parents boat engine failed. He was wearing a life jacket and was pulled out of the water by tourists on the Maid of the Mist boat that was below the falls. Another was a lady (in the 1800's) who decided that a barrel ride down the falls would bring her fame and fortune. She was quite bruised, broken and banged up but she too survived. Was it worth it? Do you know her name? The boys and I have decided that nothing would coax us into taking that insane ride.
After we spent quite a while in awe of the falls we headed down the 20 floor elevator to the base of the falls to board the Maid of the Mist boat tour. We put on our plastic rain gear so that we could match the other 100+ people, on board and headed out past the American Falls on our journey to the Horseshoe Falls. 
The rainbows along the base of the American falls were spectacular. They looked like they extended from the top of the falls and then plummeted beneath the Niagara River. You could see why the Native Americans believed that their Gods lived under the falls. 
The red railing was where the Cave of the Winds tour took place. We did this tour a few days later.
When you get under the Horseshoe Falls you are so encompassed by mist that you really cannot see the falls. The kids were having so much fun getting soaked that they didn't really notice.
After a half day at the falls we headed back to our campground. We all have been really sick and outings wear us out a lot quicker then normal. We actually canceled all our plans the next day and stayed in the RV and rested (actually, we got caught up on some home school and then tried to rest. If you have ever tried to rest in a really small space with 5 people, 3 being kids, you know how much rest we actually got). The following day we got a really slow start (it is the pits to be sick) but eventually headed back to Niagara for another look at the falls. This time we took the Cave of the Winds tour. In this tour you not only get to wear another really cool rain coat, you get funky matching sandals. Once you put on your sexy, yellow outfit you head down another elevator to the bottom of Bridal Veil Falls. You walk along the red wood trail until you are standing under a tidal wave. It is actually partially under the falls, but you might as well stand in your shower fully dressed with a rain poncho on. I have to say although you get very soaked it is really cool and quite an experience. If you have a chance to take this tour and you don't mind a lot of water, I highly recommend it!
This is a picture from the top of the falls looking at the Rainbow Bridge which takes you into Canada.
Look carefully at Tanner's shirt. This cracks Dave and I up!
One sick family trying to look heathy in front of the falls.
If you look closely you can see the Maid of the Mist at the bottom of Horseshoe Falls.
This is the first time we have ever seen a black squirrel. They are actually all over Canada.
Later that day we drove over the bridge to Canada. We actually got busted at the border and had to turn around and come back into the States (long story) but we did head back in later that night (and made it in). This is the view of Horseshoe Falls from the Canadian side. Isn't that mist amazing.
That night in Canada we decided to go to Rainforest Cafe for dinner. Although Rainforest Cafe is usually a great choice for families with kids, without getting into it, I do not recommend this one.
All in all, experiences like seeing the falls are why we took this trip. It is something that I believe God created not only to bless us, but to constantly remind us of his amazing beauty and power and how the two of them they can join together in such perfect harmony. 
