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