Day 28 - Toronto to Niagara - Kurtz Farm, Floral Clock and Helicopter Ride

Sunshine and blue skies what a perfect day to be heading to see one of Canada’s busiest tourist attractions.

Toronto at 6am 

We headed out towards Hamilton on our way to Niagara. I was really looking forward to today despite the 8am take off. Just one day of 8.30am would be great.

Toronto at 7am 

I only had some fruit for Breakfast today since I was feeling a bit nervous about the helicopter ride but I was really excited about it.

Bye bye CN tower 

As we headed out of the Toronto city limits Christina pointed out Toronto’s answer to environmentally advertising with lawn advertising. It was kind of unique and cool. 

Eco Friendly Advertising Toronto Style 

We headed along the shores of Lake Ontario and enjoyed the very pretty bus ride. We even passed the Pirates of Caribbean ship that they used in the movies.

Pirates of Caribbean Ship 

I have to admit I snoozed for a bit this morning because I knew that we were in for a busy day and I would be tired. Even though I actually slept quite well the night before; so I just needed to catch up on the 4 nights previous of bad sleep.

At the Entrance to Kurtz Farm

It was a pretty drive and I woke up again when Christina announced that we were making a stop at a little place called Kurtz Farm which was a really cute little produce and meal pick up stop.

And they think us Aussies are Bad!!! 

It was really quaint but I made the mistake of ordering a custom made sandwich which cost me most of the stop. We have 20 mins here and 18 of that was spent waiting for the sandwich.

Fall colours along the best sunday drive according to
Norman Rockwell

But it gave me time to wander and I picked up some yummy stuff for my dad, twinny and work colleagues (which I kind of regret now – well the work people especially one of them).

the Floral Clock 

While I was waiting Steve was trying to plug me from information because apparently it had been under debate on the bus what my real age was. I just retorted I am younger than you and that is the important thing.  He told me I am not as old as you think…  It turns out he wasn’t …  haha whoopssss… but he says he gets all the time because of the gray hair and it turns out he is a independence day baby. 

The Floral Clock

Because of the delay in getting my food I didn’t get a chance to wander the property and take awesome photos L but I did get one or two.

up and up we go 

We headed out along the drive that Norman Rockwell once called the prettiest Sunday drive ever. It was nice but I preferred the Berkshires it was prettier to me. Still the colours were beautiful. 

Near the Whirlpools 

Our next stop was the Floral clock which was pretty cool but it was a good toilet stop. The only thing about the floral clock is that they need a small viewing platform it is too hard to understand the prettiness of the clock from ground level. Underneath the clock we were about to see the previous years clocks along with the workings of it. Also a chance to find out who was coming on the helicopter flight with me because I was getting really excited. So I worked out that Christina and Allan, Neil and Heather, Me!!!  But still hadn't worked out who the last couple was.

The beautiful Niagara River

But when I got back on the bus after exploring the floral clock I found who it was…  It was the Rif Raf…  I just realised how awesome these ladies were in that moment and later that night I would get to know them better.  But how awesome in your late 70’s to be brave enough to do this.. 

oohhh what is that mist... 

I did a quick download and back up of the photos as we drove towards the helicopter ride and swapped out cards. I wasn’t going to miss any of this. As it turned out some of the photos didn’t copy or I lost some of the files not sure what happened. But luckily I never delete anything from my memory cards haha

the Dam that helps to control the amount of water
that flows out of the area 

As we got there we all got off with me very excited but feeling nervous. Quick brush of the hair (god knows why) and reapplication of the lip gloss and I was good to go.

Ohhh Getting Closer 

I was determined to sit in the front seat since Sarah suggested it because of the experience and I think it was going to help with the fear factor.

I did ask the girls if that was ok if went in the front but forgot to check with Christina not realising that she was coming with us at the last minute.

American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls 

I was trying to calm other Christina because she is actually scared of heights and as I found out that night so was Hilda but they do everything together. I always thought I was scared of heights but I think it depends on the situations especially after going up the mountains on cable cars and CN tower etc.  I was in AWE more than anything else especially on the mountains.

Canadian Horseshoe falls 

But this was very different this was a helicopter and I was putting my life in their hands which was pretty scary especially for the first time. They ended up putting Christina at the front and I asked nicely if I could sit at the front but if I had known that this was her first time I never would have asked because she is like me in a lot of ways and it is a control thing. Being older and wise.. haha I would have happily sat in the back. 

Lake Eerie 

We took off on a slant to the ground which had my tummy turning a fair bit. But once I got used to it is was amazing..  The view was breath taking although he kept on slanting it over which was making me feel blah. When we were flying straight I was ok but on the slant ewww

Canadian Falls 

Then we came up on it … the falls finally our first view. The one thing that strikes you about the falls is the sheer volume of water. Simply mind blowing and we hovered over them which was soooo cool. 

Canadian Falls 

We flew out over the lake and got our commentary as we went but I was too interested in the amazing scenery. It gives you an idea on how awesome Mother Nature really is. Although I did try and get Christina’s attention so she could take a photo of me in the chopper but she couldn’t hear.

Edge of the American Falls 

The quirky fact even though the lake Eerie freezes over it does not freeze the falls due to the sheer volume of water flowing over the 3 falls.

Canadian Falls Sooo Cool 

Yes peoples there are 3 Falls… the American Falls and to the right of the American falls there is a smaller Bridal Veil Falls which if you look at them it can look like it is part of the main American falls.  Then the Horseshoe Canadian falls are the biggest of the 3. 

How awesome is this view 

We headed back which it was getting the point where I was starting to feel ill from all the slanting but still enjoying every second. …

Canadian vs American Soil

We came into land and ushered into the building to buy our photos! Mine was awful but I brought it anyway because it is a good memory. 

Coming into Land 

We waited for the bus to arrive back and waited for the toilet hogs. Other Christina had an enjoyable time as well. Like me thought it was a once in a lifetime experience and glad they did it.