One thing we have learned while living nomadically is that plans are always subject to change.
We had most of our departure route mapped out when some family circumstances meant we needed to leave a little earlier than expected. That changed our timing and opened up a small window in our travel schedule.
And suddenly, Niagara Falls became possible.
Tessa grew up in New York State and had visited the falls many times over the years.
Mike, however, had never been.
For him, Niagara Falls had always been one of those places on the bucket list — somewhere he wanted to see at least once.
So when the opportunity appeared, we took it.
Seeing the Falls Up Close
There are plenty of ways to see Niagara Falls, but we decided that if Mike was finally going to experience it, we might as well get as close as possible.
That meant a ride on the Maid of the Mist.
From above, the boat looks almost tiny compared with the river and the falls surrounding it.
Once you are actually on board, though, everything feels much bigger.
The water churns around you, the roar of the falls gets louder, and before long everyone is dressed in the unmistakable pink ponchos.
There is really no staying dry.
And honestly, that is part of the fun.
Into the Mist
As the boat moved closer to the falls, the mist became heavier and the views became more dramatic.
Standing there, surrounded by the sound of rushing water and clouds of mist, gives you an entirely different appreciation for the scale of Niagara Falls.
Pictures make it look impressive.
Being down there makes it feel enormous.
At times, the mist was so thick that parts of the falls disappeared completely.
Then the wind would shift, the clouds of spray would open up, and suddenly the falls were right there in front of us again.
A Different View of Niagara
The ride also gives you views you simply do not get from the overlooks above.
Looking back toward the city from the river was almost as interesting as looking toward the falls.
You can see the cliffs, the buildings, and the observation tower rising high above the river while the water swirls around the boat below.
It gives you a sense of just how deeply the Niagara River has cut through the landscape.
One More Bucket-List Stop
By the end of the ride, we were wet, a little windblown, and very glad we had decided to make the detour.
For Tessa, it was a return to a place she had known since growing up in New York.
For Mike, it was finally getting to check off a place he had wanted to see for years.
And for both of us, it became another reminder that some of the best travel memories come from the things you did not originally plan.
We had not expected Niagara Falls to be part of this route.
But when life changed the schedule and gave us the opportunity, we took it.
And we are very glad we did.
Sometimes a curveball in the travel plans turns out to be a pretty good detour.
