So you might ask; “Where in the heck have I been?” Well the truth is that in the last couple of months (and in a three week period) I have had to take two separate week long trips to upstate New York. It wasn’t bad enough that I had to take one trip there, but with just one week at home, I had to turn right around and do it again. While I was flying over Buffalo, NY., I could not help but think of the (then recent) plane crash just outside of Buffalo. But at the same time I saw Niagara Falls from the air. The cold and whiteness of the ground outside reminded me of a trip that Mrs. LZ and I took several years ago to view the falls in the wintertime from the Canadian side. Even though I am sure than many of you may have seen the falls in the summertime, but I doubt if many of you have ever seen the falls in the wintertime. But those of you who have, I am sure that you will agree with me, that it a totally different than it is in the summertime?
I did a blog post about the falls many months ago, but it really dealt with the normal history and experiences around the falls. But the summer falls bare little similarity to what the falls look like in the dead of winter. The only thing that seemed the same to me about the falls was the noise that was generated by the falling water of the falls over their precipice which still had that almost deafening sound that the falls generated.
They even have what is called the “Winter Festival of Lights” there at this time of year. Of coarse we didn’t stick around on our day trip there to see the falls lit up at night, but the pictures that we saw of it seemed that they were just beautiful. In fact, you can experience the illuminating beauty of the lights located along the Niagara Parks Winter Wonderland lighting route and throughout the City of Niagara Falls! Their event’s fireworks illuminate the winter sky above the falls every Friday night! The mighty falls glows with color nightly during this Winter Festival of Lights.
Also as part of the festival, you can enjoy fantastic stage productions throughout the Festival. In fact, past performances have included Disney's® Beauty and the Beast and Seussical the Musical! You can also have a barrel of laughs at the Niagara Falls Comedy Fest with top comedians from around the world. Past performers at these events have included John Pinette, Brent Butt, Nikki Payne & Jeremy Hotz! If so inclined, you can get your cheer on at the Annual Festival of Lights Cheerleading Competition!
During the Winter Festival of Lights, the 3 plus mile lighting route along the Niagara Parkway is known as the Niagara Parks Winter Wonderland. Within the Niagara Parks Winter Wonderland, you will notice the Life in Niagara lighting displays, which feature the award-winning Niagara grape and wine industry, an historic 1812 battle, and Fort Erie Racing. A wide variety of winter activities like skating, skiing, ice hockey and carriage rides are also displayed throughout the Niagara Parks Winter Wonderland.
And while we didn’t do any of these, it was still nice to know that they were available to us for a price. While I can’t recommend the falls location weather temperatures in the winter, I can still honestly recommend the view!
“No steam or gas ever drives anything until it is confined. No Niagara is ever turned into light and power until it is tunneled. No life ever grows until it is focused, dedicated, disciplined.” ~ Joan Rivers
