A Trip of Wonder
In June of 2023, my wife and I set off for Niagara Falls, Canada, joining about fifty fellow travelers on a bus trip organized by our favorite local travel agent. Like many, I’d seen endless photos of the Falls over the years, but I never felt particularly moved by them- at least, not until this journey.
Our adventure began with an overnight stop at a Pennsylvania motel. We piled back onto the bus for the final stretch the next morning. As we drew closer, the Falls came into view: the American side, rugged with massive boulders at its base, and the Canadian side, a sheer, unbroken water curtain. The sight was far more impressive in person than any picture could capture.
Crossing into Canada was a breeze, and after a quick rest at our motel, we headed straight to the Falls. The roar of the water grew louder as we approached, building anticipation with every step. A fence kept us from the river’s edge, but soon, I found myself just feet away from the thundering cascade. The mist rose in great clouds, and the sound was deafening-like a Walkman with the volume cranked all the way up. Standing there, enveloped by the spray and the sheer force of nature, I was awestruck. It was a moment of pure wonder, a reminder of the world’s wild beauty.
With hesitation, we boarded the bus when our guide instructed us to prepare for departure back to the motel. The next day, after a bit of shopping in a nearby town (with advice to save major purchases for the U.S. side to dodge import fees), we returned to the Falls. The magic hadn’t faded. Joking with my fellow travelers, I said I was on the lookout for a two-seater barrel, one with windows, plush seats, and a stereo so my wife and I could go over the Falls in style, maybe wave at the onlookers as we prepared for the ride of our lives.
On the way home, I wistfully gazed out the window as they faded in the distance, grateful to have witnessed one of Earth’s true wonders. I know I may never return; at my age, these trips are likely once-in-a-lifetime. The Grand Canyon left me with a similar sense of awe, and I doubt I’ll see it again, either. Sometimes, I wish I’d visited these places earlier when repeat trips were still possible. But life doesn’t offer a rewind button. Maybe, just maybe, a magnificent waterfall or canyon is waiting in the next world.
…Tommy
