Buffalo

Trip Start Aug 24, 2007
1
31
47
Trip End Oct 08, 2007


Loading Map
Map your own trip!
Map Options
Show trip route
Hide lines
shadow

Flag of United States  , New York,
Saturday, September 22, 2007

We had decided to get a plane from Buffalo (USA) to New York, so had to get to Buffalo by 2pm.  We decided to hire a taxi to take us first to Welland Canal, then to Niagara on the Lake and then to Buffalo airport.  It was an excellent morning starting with just arriving at the viewing area on Lock 3 of the Welland Canal when a ship was going through.  The Welland Canal was build in the early 1900's following creeks and rivers to allow ships to go to and from Lake Ontario and Lake Erie to avoid Niagara Falls.  The lock system allows ships to go down/up the 100metre difference in levels between the two lakes over 7/8 locks.  It was very interesting to watch the huge ship move into the lock, the gates close behind it, water fill the lock to the next water level from beneath, the front gates open and the ship move on - all in 20 minutes.  The ship we watched was empty and was coming from the St Lawrence Seaway and Lake Ontario through to Lake Erie and on to Detroit. With the chairman of Mackay Port very happy, we went to Niagara on the Lake which is a very picturesque town on the conjunction of the Niagara River with Lake Ontario.  It is a rural area with a lot of wineries - a little boutique type town like Montville.  It was here at Fort George that the Indians sided with the English and Canadians to fight the Americans for land.  Niagara on the Lake was once capital of Ontario.  There is also a theatre and festival to commemorate George Bernard Shaw.  This would be a good place to stay -  lots of beautiful B & B's and pretty areas to explore.  We then headed off to Port Erie ( at the other end of the Niagara River (37miles long)and joining Lake Erie) - over the Peace Bridge, through customs and into USA.  The driver told us that Buffalo is a notorious place for robberies, murders etc.  The houses on the way to the airport were certainly unkempt.  There were buffalos on the highway on the way in - like Rockhampton.  The flight into JFK was delayed due to low cloud .
Print this entry Buffalo hotels