Ep. 36 - Niagara Falls, Canada
With roughly 12,000 years of history, this geological masterpiece just so happens to be a tourist trap, but I still think it's worth your time. Explore the history and beauty of the incredible Niagara Falls in our 36th adventure, and then book your adventure!
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Transcription:
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Hey Fivers! You’re listening to episode 36 of The Friday Take Five, which is the best five minute podcast for history and adventure lovers. I’m Mark Moran, the host of the show, and I do my best to help you relive awesome travel memories, or give you the inspiration to book your next adventure. Every episode, we discover a new destination and a new story. Without further ado, let’s jump in… And discover destination 36.
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Today’s adventure takes us to a destination straddling the border of the US and Canada.With a history dating back more than 12,000 years, this spot is just slightly older than either Canada or the US. Of course, I’m talking about a geological masterpiece, and the, in my view anyway, worthwhile tourist trap that is Niagara Falls.
As a result of the end of the Ice Age some 12,000 odd years ago, water flowed East/West over a steep slope from what is now New York through Ontario, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Illinois. The falls, as they have since their beginning, continue to move further and further upstream as freezing and thawing along with the pressure of the water cause the rocks below to erode.
Modern attempts to preserve the falls have helped slow the rate of erosion, but at current rates of about a foot, or ⅓ of a meter per year, we’ll lose the falls completely once they erode all the way back to lake Eerie… In about 50,000 years. So, you still have a bit of time to make it out there.
Thankfully, this wonder will be around awhile, but that doesn’t mean you should put off seeing it, because it is absolutely incredible to behold in person. Roughly 10 years ago, I had the chance to go with my parents. It was a combined road trip to do a college tour in Michigan, a drive up through Canada to Niagara falls, and back into the US all the way up to Acadia National Park in Maine.
Of course, that meant we got to take in the “better” and more beautiful part of the falls on the Canadian side. Thinking back to that specific part of the trip, I remember very little of where exactly we stayed or the other things we did. I do however remember the magnificence of the falls, and how I thought it was so cool the waitresses at our restaurant could read my high school French club shirt that was in both French and English. I’m a total nerd I know, but it was my first time out of the US so give me a break.
Niagara Falls, is both a geological formation, as well as a set of twin cities with Niagara Falls, Ontario, and Niagara Falls New York sitting on either side of the border. The area as a whole, is full of unique history that, paired with the incredible natural beauty, make it a worthwhile destination to get on your bucket list.
Though likely first discovered by Natives prior to the arrival of Europeans, a Frenchman by the name of Samuel de Champlain first documented the magnificence of the Falls in the 1600s during his exploration of Canada. Over the next couple hundred years, other explorers brought the attention of the falls to Europeans. By the 1800s and the advent of mass tourism, the falls started becoming a hot destination, particularly for honeymooners. One of the first sets of famous honeymooners was Napoleon Bonaparte’s brother, Jerome… No, I’m not joking, his name was actually Jerome and I find that hilarious. But both Jerome and his American bride had a lovely time there, I’m sure.
As time has gone on, it has become an increasingly popular tourist destination, which has necessitated increased efforts geared toward preservation. In the mid 1900s, the water from the massive falls was actually diverted completely. After the falls completely dried up, the U.S. Army corps of Engineers went to work reinforcing the river bed to slow the retreat of the river. During their reinforcement process, they also discovered the bodies of two individuals that had jumped into the river, which is surprisingly low given how many more people had likely jumped or fallen in over time and were never recovered.
Anywayyyyyy… After completion of the reinforcement, the temporary dam was blown to bits and the full flow of the falls restored. I’m so thankful for the fact that I got to experience this incredible beauty in person and that my parents were willing to drag an annoying teen along for the ride.
When you make the time to see this incredible gem for yourself, note that although both sides of the falls are great, you’ll want to be sure to make it over to the Canadian side to make sure that you get the best views. I hope if you haven’t already been, you’re getting this incredible place on your bucket list. Get out there and adventure!
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Hey there! Thanks for listening to another episode of The Friday Take Five. If you haven’t already, be sure to give us a 5 star rating on podcasting platforms, and share this episode with a friend. Have your own stories about Niagara Falls, feedback or recommendations on places or stories for us to cover? We’d love to hear it so follow us and DM us on socials @FridayTakeFive or email us at thefridaytakefive@gmail.com. Stay curious, stay adventuring, and have a great weekend!
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