It is said that the Niagara Falls are more beautiful on the American side? A month after visiting the Canadian side, we cross the border to check this legend and make our own opinion!
Saturday, May 21st, 2022
After 2 hours of driving along Lake Ontario, we approach Toronto. An idea then comes to us: why not go downtown? We have no intention of making a stop in this big metropolis, but the idea of getting closer to its immense skyscrapers is tempting. It's decided. Instead of taking the highway that bypasses the city to the north, we head towards downtown.
The bet pays off. After a long and arduous approach through the suburbs, we head towards the center of Toronto. We bypass the city by taking the inner ring road, which takes us higher and closer to Downtown. For a few short minutes, we wind our way through these glass giants, impressed. Rémi is driving, so I'm the one snapping pictures of the landscape, as best as I can, hoping to get some beautiful shots of this iconic Canadian city.
The last two hours of the drive pass by under intermittent showers and a strong thunderstorm. We treat ourselves to a pizza in a small roadside restaurant, before heading to the shore of Lake Erie, where we hop into the car to escape a fine and continuous rain.
Sunday, May 22nd
We discover our spot under a misty morning that struggles to break through a few rays of sunshine. We are facing Lake Erie, one of the five North American Great Lakes.
This morning, a challenge awaits us: crossing, for the first time, the land border of the United States, and returning without any problems to Canada. Why do we have to make a half-day trip to the States? Because we have reached the end of Lake Ontario, and it is here that the most famous waterfalls in the world are located: Niagara Falls!
We went on an excursion to Niagara Falls a month ago, accompanied by my mom. At that time, while renewing our work permits, we couldn't leave Canadian territory, so we settled for the Canadian side of the Falls. Today, after two years of administrative procedures, we received our permanent residence, on the very day of our departure!! 🥳🥳 As Canadian residents, we can now come and go to Canada without a visa. Awesome!
At the US border, we came across a very friendly customs officer who asked us why we were coming to the States and how long we planned to stay. "Only a few hours, we are going to the Falls!" She looked up at the Jeep. "Only a few hours? What’s all this stuff then?" So we explained our situation. She didn't ask any more questions, but warned us that the Falls on the American side are much more beautiful than on the Canadian side. We were going to check that out right away after a fifteen-minute stop at the customs office. We were then granted a nice 3-month visa for the US, which we would renew after Alaska.
We take our first steps in the US, near Buffalo! There's not a major difference compared to the other side of the border, except that we now speak in miles instead of kilometers, and liters become gallons. It's a real headache! After many calculations, we realize that gas is 35 cents cheaper than in Canada! Immediately, we run to the first gas station and fill up 😏.
Arriving at the Falls, it's raining! It's too bad. Armed with our umbrella, we take a walk in the Niagara Falls State Park, a beautiful and very green park that contrasts with all the concrete and Disneyland on the Canadian side! The Falls are much more preserved on this side, there's no denying it. The effect, however, is the same. Just like the first time, we are blown away by their size and flow.
It seems that the Niagara Falls are better preserved in their natural environment on the American side, but we must admit that they are better viewed from the Canadian side! Sorry, Mrs. Customs Officer 😁
After our quick visit to Niagara Falls, we returned to Canada feeling a bit anxious. It was our first time using our permanent residency and we hoped there wouldn't be any issues, especially since my old passport number was still linked to it. At the border checkpoint, the customs officer asked us where we lived while checking our information online. Then she said, "Oh, you are residents!" We ended up passing through without even having to go to the customs office. Having permanent residency is awesome!
And so, we leave the Ontario and Erie lakes behind for good, heading towards the third great North American lake further north: Lake Huron. A 3-hour drive through fields and countryside awaits us!
We found a road at the end of a gravel path near a meadow. There was no one there except for a deer that crossed our path. It was the perfect spot for a wild camping! We took advantage of the opportunity to start our evening routine: cooking, freshening up, having dinner in the sun, all alone in the world. We got into the rhythm of things and we have to say: we love it!
2 commentaires
Preciosas fotos! Siempre es una aventura para pasar la frontera a los EEUU y con vuestro jeep 🤦🏻♀️🙃 y’a me imagino la cara de los agentes de la aduana🤣 pero las cataratas son siempre más bonitas vistas desde allí 🤷🏻♀️🇺🇸
Bonjour les enfants.
Je vois que tout se passe à merveille pour le moment. J’en suis ravie en espérant que vous aurez du meilleur temps dans les prochains jours.
Impressionnants ces immeubles gigantesques !!!! Je ne serai pas rassurée de travailler ou d’habiter si haut.
Gros bisous en attendant de poursuivre le voyage avec vous.
Mamie.