Dairy Barn Campground, Niagara Falls NY

 Dairy Barn Campground-Niagara Falls NY

After spending a day and a half performing repairs to the rig, we are very glad to be back into our routine of touring the area.  Arriving on a Saturday is very different for us.  We try to not travel on weekends because the crowds are much worse, but this leg of the journey required us to do so.  Luckily, we made it here without any issues. We spent Sunday looking at lighthouses between Wilson and Rochester. Lighthouses and waterfalls have been a common stop for us. I guess they are "our thing". Karma loves all these visits near the water. He's a lousy swimmer, but he sure loves it. He is like an excited toddler around the water. He can be a pain in the rump, but he keeps us entertained. We think he has adjusted to our lifestyle much better than we dared to dream. I cannot imagine any 90# dog doing any better than he does. It is funny, but he has even learned to pose for photo ops.  He has learned to read our tells just as well as we have his.

This is the Charlotte-Genesee Lighthouse.  When it was constructed, the area was a bustling shipping port.  The channel remains an important hub, but now it is currently used mostly by recreational boaters.

This beautiful lighthouse is privately owned and behind locked gates.  It was sold by the government to a private owner.  The new buyer restored the home to its original condition.  The original construction drawings of the buildings were maintained on the property, so restoration was fairly easy.  It was sold to a couple in 2016. This new owner operated it as a Bed and Breakfast until the end of 2020. They also used it as a venue for weddings and special events.  Unfortunately, this beautiful lighthouse was a Covid casualty.  The building currently remains in the possession of its last owner, but now it is just their private residence. The lighthouse is still in use and the Coast Guard pay's $1/year for the operation.   

Lisa was walking Karma on the jetty extending out from Point Breezy while Mark toured the inside of the lighthouse. We had to take turns climbing the lighthouse since one of us had to remain outside with the dog.

We were able to climb the inner stairs to the top of Oak Orchard Lighthouse  It is no longer in operation, but it is maintained off of donations by a group within the local community .  People volunteer to sit in the lighthouse and answer visitor's questions about its history.

As we were leaving the lighthouse, we met an older gentleman and his girlfriend sitting on a bench watching the boats.  We noticed he was wearing a Seal Team 2 sweatshirt and hat.  He noticed Mark's submarine/Navy hat and shirt. He asked about Mark's military service as we walked by. We stopped and chatted with this very interesting man for nearly an hour.  He became a UDT (underwater demolition team)/Seal in 1967, only 5 years after they had been established.  This man was obviously a total badass in his time.  He shared many stories with us and we both had plenty of questions about his career as a Navy Seal. Ironically, his father had served on submarines in WWII. Mark would have loved to share experiences and stories with his dad!  We both would have loved to spend even more time hearing stories and chatting with this gentleman, but it was time to move on.  He was one of the most interesting people we have met thus far while on our adventure. One of the benefits of our new lifestyle is our lack of agendas and time restrictions. We can pretty much adapt our days to whatever we want it to be. Unless we have reservations booked for an event, we can make these stops when the opportunity presents itself. We have been fortunate enough to meet some very interesting people along our journey.

Thirty Mile Point Lighthouse was established in 1881. The light was powered by oil and kerosene until 1931. The risk of fire was great, so the fuel was stored in buildings separate from the lighthouse. The purpose of the separate building was to limit any fires in an attempt to preserve the main lighthouse structure.  In 1931, it was decided to convert the lighthouse to electricity. This lighthouse currently is about 15 miles from the nearest town. Imagine it being 1931- bringing electricity to its location was not only a large expense but also not easily done.  There is folklore that the lighthouse building is haunted and the ghost has visited many people who have stayed there overnight. 

Fortunately (or Unfortunately?), we did not have the ghost experience when we visited.

 After returning to the campground, we walked down to Lake Ontario. We were not lucky enough to get a site with a lake view, but our site was not far away.  We had an enjoyable visit with a couple (Danny and Deb) who were sitting there enjoying the peaceful view.  They are weekend campers who camp most weekends weather permitting.  They will actually be in Letchworth the same time as us (that will be our next stop).

A freighter is off in the distance on Lake Ontario en route to locations unknown. Each of the Great Lakes are so amazingly vast and beautiful. The water is so clean and blue with waves that rival the ocean. Many have sandy beaches not unlike those found by the sea.

We were lucky enough to capture this sunset view of Toronto in the distance from our campground.

Another sunset view of Lake Ontario we were blessed to enjoy. The gifts of beauty the Lord has given us are plentiful.  Focusing on the beauty in our nation has allowed us a brief respite from the ugly people have created.

Niagara Mohawk Hydro Dam downstream of Niagara Falls helps to control flooding and generates power for the area. (Has anyone noticed the recurring theme of power generation? You might think one of us had recently retired from the power industry....)

Lisa and Karma stop for a photo op at Devils Hole State Park.  That's the Niagara river behind them with Canada in the far background. It was 411 stair steps to get to the bottom of the bluff and then the same 411 back up the bluff.  Many locals walk these stairs and the trail for exercise.  We actually stopped to chat with several very friendly locals during our hike here. We have been very surprised by all these friendly random people we have met.

 It was posted to call Border Patrol if suspicious behavior was noticed. Thankfully, our northern border is nothing like the chaos of our southern border. Fortunately, we did not encounter any drug smuggling illegal immigrants and their coyotes rushing to climb those 411 steps as we huffed and puffed our way back up them.

Lisa preparing to go over the falls in a barrel! We all know this is a joke because Lisa is terrified of heights. She would only do anything like that if pushed while gagged and tied up!

We enjoyed the view of Niagara River on the East side of Goat Island.  Goat Island splits the Niagara River.  The water on the East Side of the island makes up the American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls.  The water on the west side of the Island creates the Horse Shoe Falls.

Lisa is modeling a very windblown and damp look today overlooking the Falls. 

                    Karma says he has seen enough of Goat Island and he is ready for a treat and a drink.

                          He wants to know where the air conditioning is located and if we can go there.

                   Mom was ready for an ice cream break too, but then again, she is usually ready for one.

Family photo op at the overlook of the American Falls looking towards the Horseshoe Falls.  The

 city in the background is Niagara Falls in Canada. We stayed on the US side of the Falls and did not venture into the Canadian side. 

These views of the American falls are from the west side of Goat Island.  The log precariously perched at the top of the falls intrigued us. We wondered how long it would remain there before finally toppling over the Falls.  Unfortunately, there is minimal staffing on the Island to answer "our" questions. Can you guess which one of us was the one most intrigued by the logistics of the log and its eventual toppling over the falls? Hint- might be the one intrigued enough to take the picture of the log.... Another hint- Mark is the head photographer

This is a side view looking down on Bridal Veil Falls. The photo does not do it justice.

 

This is a statue of Nikola Tesla, located on Goat Island. He was a brilliant Serbian engineer and inventor originally from modern day Croatia. He became interested in physics and electricity at a young age. He travelled and studied in various places around the world before coming to the US. He came to NYC in 1884 to manage Edison Machine Works, founded by Thomas Edison. Their relationship was a bitter and highly competitive one. Tesla only stayed at this job 6 months.  As a consultant of Westinghouse, he won the contract to harness the power of the Niagara River in 1895. He and Westinghouse are credited with building the first hydro-electric power plant. His team designed the tunnel that runs 2 miles long and 160' deep from the Niagara Rapids to the Hydro Station.  This was the first location that ever transmitted AC electricity in a power line. The power lines ran 23 miles from the City of Niagara Falls to Buffalo. Nikola Tesla held 12 patents from this project alone. His work with Westinghouse created new technology of alternating current which started a revolution that would electrify and change the world. Their work proved to be superior to Thomas Edison's project of direct current. His work is at Niagara is touted as the most tremendous event in engineering history. He later died in NYC before being laid to rest in Serbia.

Side note- Elon Musk is not related to Nikola Tesla, but Musk did name his electrical car company in honor of Tesla and his advancements in electricity. Einstein was once asked what it was like to be the smartest man alive. Einstein replied, "I don't know. You will have to ask Nikola Tesla".

The volume of water that flows over Niagara Falls amazed us. The fact they are able to calculate these numbers is pretty impressive also.

Niagara River rapids located on the West Side of Goat Island.

This view is looking from Goat Island towards Horseshoe Falls.

This view is from Three Sisters Island looking towards Niagara Falls  in Canada.  Note the mist that is created from the Horseshoe Falls. You can hear the falls from a significant distance. 

 Mark and Lisa seeing the sights on Three Sisters Island.

An entertainer in the park creating ginormous bubbles for the kids.  The children enjoyed popping the bubbles as they floated away.  We were as enchanted by the process as the kids were, however we did refrain from popping the bubbles..

Lisa and Karma are walking along Lake Ontario at Fort Niagara State Park. Karma isn't sure if he should follow mama or daddy.  Mama is picking up rocks to paint and daddy was just standing there at the moment.  He decided he better go protect mama. Daddy keeps telling him that his job is to protect mama, so he does.

side note- Mama likes to collect rocks to paint, but no one has yet to see any evidence that she actually paints them. So far, she just keeps filling up buckets of unpainted rocks that we haul around. AND..... she does like to buy paints and craft supplies.  Most of her previous crafts tend to look like they were created by a blind 4 year old. The world is anxiously awaiting proof of this rock painting....

  A HUGE piece of concrete with red tiles embedded in the concrete made it's way to the beach some how.   What kind of water power is required to move this around the lake?  It did not come from this location, So where did it come from and how did the water move it here? (again, guess who was most intrigued by the logistics of how this chunk of concrete ended up on this beach? two guesses, excluding Karma.........)

  We found this piece of willow tree washed up on the beach.  A beaver gnawed on both ends and removed the bark on this piece of wood.  No other sign of beaver activity other than this piece of wood was nearby.

Lisa overlooking the Coast Guard station at Fort Niagara State Park.   

The Gate of 5 Nations was named for the 5 Nations of the Iroquois foundation.

Interior of the South Redoubt located at Fort Niagara. Cannon and arms were discharged from the third floor.  The guards lived on the second floor. They provided 24 hour shift/guard detail. When they were not assigned watch, they could sleep on that very comfortable looking wooden platform made for 12-20 soldiers all lined up stinky shoulder to stinky shoulder across the platform. Privacy and comfort were not options they had. The windows remained open despite the frigid temps. I (Lisa) am thinking my military career would have been short lived had I been assigned to this fort.

 

Cannon barrels stored for use in the event there was a cannon failure and they needed a spare.

2 six pound and 2 twelve pound cannons used for protecting the gate.

A view of the earthwork barrier with the North Redoubt on the left.

A re-enactor providing a demonstration of the Kentucky Flintlock while dressed in Voyageur garb.

The Powder Magazine (the room itself) housing the kegs of black powder which survived the Siege of 1759.

Lisa inspecting the replica Iroquois nation birch bark canoe.

The Bakehouse was where the bread was baked. Bread was often the only food provided to the men. The men could grow small gardens and hunt for wild game to supplement their diet. The officers were fed a little better, but their diet was often supplemented by their families. No one ate very well at Fort Niagara.

Fort George is across the river from Fort Niagara.

Plaque honoring La Salle and his contribution to the area.

This is a bunkhouse in the French Castle which would house about 40 men. The building was designed to be where the men worked to guard the fort, slept, ate, entertained themselves, received crude medical care, and stored their supplies. There was even an area dedicated as a chapel. 

The pictures above were various rooms inside the French Castle.  It was called the French Castle rather than a fort because the French convinced the Native Americans in the area they wanted to build a home.  It did not have the appearance of a fort.

The top floor of the castle was where the soldiers defended the fort.  The openings were used to fire cannons in any direction as needed.

They re-created what the trading post would have looked like in the 1700's, 

A stone memorial covering the grave of unknown defenders of Old Fort Niagara. 

Lisa standing outside of the North Redoubt.

Lisa looking out of the North Redoubt. This area was where the soldiers stood to fire their weapons protecting the fort.

Views looking out from the North Redoubt.

The French Castle from the outside. (It was having the roof repaired when we were there)

Tunnel pass through the Scarp walls and Casemates as it leads to outside the fort.

A look at the Scarp and Casemates from the outside shows the window openings where the soldiers could fire their weapons.

The fourth Order Fresnel light that was used at Old Fort Niagara Lighthouse. These Fresnel lights truly intrigue Mark.  He has learned to identify what order they are.

Lisa and Karma standing outside Old Fort Niagara Light house.  It was not open for tours but this may have been the prettiest lighthouse we have seen.

Two memorials in the cemetery to unknown veterans of  the Early Indian wars-the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812.

This is the headstone of last Veteran to be buried at Fort Niagara.

The Maid of the Mist touring boat is completely electric.  This is the boat from the American side and will take us to the Falls. The Canadian tourists wear red ponchos.  Their ports are just across the river from each other.

Lisa is prepared to go to the Falls.  Note the very stylish rain poncho she is modeling..

We are on our way to the falls. The  American Falls are over our left shoulder. Mark was a rebel and waited as long as he could to don his poncho.

Lisa was prepared for the spray from the falls. The mist was already heavy and we had not yet gotten close to the falls.

This was our first view of the American Falls from the boat.

This is the Bridal Veil Falls view from the boat.

The American Falls are on left and the Bridal Veil Falls are on the right.

These are the Horseshoe falls. Their power cannot be presented in pictures.  The intensity of it washing over you allows you to feel its power.  It is a magnificent sight and one that everyone should witness first hand if at all possible. It is simply magnificent.

This was a view of Bridal Veil Falls as we were returning to the dock.

Our last view of  the American and Bridal Veil falls as we return to the Pier.

Rainbow bridge allows traffic to travel from the United States to Canada. We did not attempt to cross the border on this trip.

    

This was some of the water that bypasses the falls. Note the brilliant colors.

There was a set of stairs from the pier that allowed you to walk up about halfway up the falls height. This allowed a much closer look at the falls from a different perspective. 

Lisa overlooking the falls from the Observation tower.

Mark and Lisa on the observation tower with the falls in the background. Mark was actually happier than he appears in the picture.

As night falls, we can see them setting up the lights for the nightly light show across the falls.  When we learned about the light show, we felt it was something we needed to see.   We were right. It was magnificent. 

Two videos of the nightly light show over the falls.

Buffalo Intake Crib Lighthouse is located in the Niagara River.  It is located several hundred yards off shore,  It replaced the Horseshoe Reef Lighthouse that was built in 1856.  It was a wooden structure and was not able to stand up to the test of time.  Horseshoe Reef operated until the Intake structure was built and completed in 1919.  This lighthouse was very different than most of the ones we have seen.

This wrapped up our visit to Niagara Falls. We are very glad we were able to see the splendor and enormity of the Falls. It definitely lives up to the hype. We highly recommend everyone make this trek. Be sure to take the boat tour and stay for the nightly light show. The light show the night we visited was late getting started. We had about given up on seeing it. Just as we were leaving, it started.