1000 Islands/Association Island KOA

Our last stop before going to Montreal is at 1000 Islands/Association Island KOA near Henderson, New York on the shores of Lake Ontario.  A 1,300 ft two-lane causeway connects the island to the mainland.

In the early 1900's General Electric bought the island and used it for retreats.  In 1959 GE donated the island to the YMCA which used it as a boys' summer camp. In 1999 it became a KOA campground.

After walking so much in Niagara Falls, we decided to make this a resting stop.  For the most part we stayed on the island except when we drove to Henderson for grocery shopping.

On the causeway to the island

Campground in the distance at the end of the causeway

Ready to set up camp right by the water

The island has a sunrise side and a sunset side.  Thank goodness we are on the sunset side.  I know I'd never be up to get sunrise pictures! 

We've had good weather for our stay, only had a little rain one night.  There is a constant cool breeze coming off the lake but one night the wind was so strong the waves on the lake looked like the ocean.

The area had a lot of rain in the spring causing the water level in Lake Ontario to rise.  They could not release water from the lake because it would flood Montreal.  As a result many waterfront homes and stores have docks and decks underwater.  We also saw one house tilted in the water.

The campground has some camping sites that are no longer accessible.  All you can see is submerged fire pits and picnic tables.

We took a short drive in the area and found a lighthouse--Ray's Bay Lighthouse.  Unfortunately, it's privately owned and we could not go in.

The day after we arrived we noticed a LOT of tiny flying insects.  We think they are non-biting midges. They like to sit on the truck, the back of the RV, and the bikes.  They're not too much of a bother unless you disturb them.

We went for a bike ride across the causeway.  Just my luck there were 2 good sized hills we had to ride up.  Halfway up the hills I got off my bike and walked. Whew!

We biked by some waterfront properties that had steep driveways.  I bet they get slippery with ice and snow during the winter!  Don't slide into the water!

Note the houses right on the water

These are their driveways...

We've had a nice relaxing stay on the island (except for the bike riding!).  On Tuesday, July 18 we head for Montreal for a 1 month stay.  Wish us luck because we don't speak French and we don't know how much English is spoken there!

Our Lady of Fatima Shrine in Lewiston, New York

Twenty minutes away from Niagara Fall is the National Shrine Basilica of Our Lady of Fatima.  In 1917 in Fatima, a small town north of Lisbon, Portugal, Our Lady appeared to three little shepherds: Lucia and her two cousins, Jacinta and Francisco. Our Lady asked for prayers and sacrifice, specifically praying the rosary every day, so that "Our Lord may save humanity from all calamities and bring peace in the world."  2017 is the 100th anniversary of the miraculous apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima.  The grounds are quiet and peaceful.  Here are some of the photos we took.

The Bell Tower is 48 feet tall and was built during the shrine's 25th anniversary in 1981.  It is a statutory grouping of Our Lady of Fatima and the three children.

The Avenue of Saints has over 135 life-size marble statues which represent saints from every race and walk of life. 

Stations of the Cross are located along the sidewalks on either side of the Avenue of Saints.

Some of the Saints...

Some other statues on the grounds...

The Angel of Fatima group represents the appearance of the Angel to the three children prior to the apparition of Our Lady.

Sacred Heart of Jesus

The Holy Family

Also on the grounds is a replica of the first chapel built at Fatima where Our Lady appeared to the children.

After walking down the Avenue of Saints before reaching the Basilica is a giant Rosary, believed to be one of the largest outdoor rosaries in the world.  It consists of 59 lights ending with a beautiful marble Jesus nailed to a cross.  The rosary outlines a heart shaped pool which symbolizes Mary's Immaculate Heart.

View of the Rosary pool from the top of the Basilica...

Directly in front of the Basilica sits a beautiful bronze statue of the three children. 

The church measures 100 feet in diameter and is 55 feet high.  The dome is covered with two layers of glass and Plexiglas and has the outline of the Northern Hemisphere.  Our Lady sits on the top of the dome.  In October 1975 his Holiness Pope Paul VI conferred the title of Basilica upon this church.  A Basilica is a church associated with the Holy See.  One of the privileges accorded to a Basilica is the Plenary Indulgence to all those who gather there for prayer.

We climbed the stairs to the top of the Dome to see Our Lady up close.

The Church is currently under renovation and some places were hard to see.  The Church has a Peace Mural and two chapels, the Immaculate Heart Chapel and the Blessed Sacrament Chapel.

Peace Mural

Immaculate Heart Chapel

The Blessed Sacrament Chapel

Visiting the Basilica was one of the highlights of our trip to Niagara Falls.  We enjoyed the time we spent in the Church and strolling on the grounds

Niagara Falls, New York

Our drive from Watkins Glen to Niagara Falls was pleasant.  We traveled on smaller highways and saw many old houses, barns, and farms.  We stayed at the KOA on Grand Island, which is the name of the town and the island with a population of about 20,000.

We decided to first ride the Maid of the Mist to see the waterfalls.  There are 4 tour boats, 2 on the US side and 2 on the Canadian side.  Each holds 600 passengers.  A boat leaves each dock every 15 minutes.  That's a lot of tourists!

Some of the crowd heading down to the dock

Everyone is given a blue pancho to keep dry

All loaded up and heading to the falls

The boat starts off at a calm part of the Niagara River, near Rainbow Bridge on which where you can walk across to Canada.  It goes past the American and Bridal Veil Falls before going into the heavy mist of spray inside the curve of the Horseshoe Falls, also known as the Canadian Falls.  Approximately 90% of the Niagara River flows over Horseshoe Falls.  The remaining 10% flows over American Falls and Bridal Veil falls. 

Rainbow Bridge

Smaller falls on the left

American Falls on the left; Bridal Veil is the small falls to the right

Here's a GoPro video:

We thought the first two falls were impressive but then Horseshoe Falls came into view.  The beauty and power are indescribable!  Absolutely gorgeous!  It is 167 feet high and 2,700 feet wide. The roar from the falls was almost deafening.  At the bottom of the falls it was windy.

Getting closer! Look how high the mist sprays!

Into the mist we go!

After the boat tour we decided to walk across Rainbow Bridge to have lunch and see the falls from the Canadian side.  It took about 30 minutes to go through customs. The Canadian side was very pretty and was as crowded as the American side. 

View from the bridge

View from the Canadian side

We found Elvis!

The following day we toured Cave of the Winds.  There was a cave behind Bridal Veil Falls that people could tour from 1841 until 1954 when it was obliterated in a rockfall.  Today an elevator takes people down to the base of the American Falls.  A series of redwood decks and platforms allow sightseers to walk right up to the base of the Bridal Veil Falls with water crashing down right on them and flowing beneath the decking.

The decking is removed each fall due to the potential damage caused by ice buildup at the falls and re-installed each spring.  The decking is not secured to the rocks below by bolts or other construction materials; the wood beam supports are simply wedged into the rock crevices.  Glad I didn't know that before taking the tour!

This tour was so fun and exciting.  As we walked up several flights of stairs it became louder and windier.  We finally reached Hurricane Deck, so named because wind from the falls reaches 68 mph and water is spraying everywhere.  It's like being in a hurricane! Everyone got yellow panchos to try to keep dry and non-skid sandals so we wouldn't slip or get our shoes wet. 

Ready to begin!

Up the stairs to Hurricane Deck...

After the tour we walked above where the river meets the falls. 

Niagara River rushing over Bridal Veil Falls

The Cave of the Winds tour

Perfect way to end the day--2 rainbows!

We really enjoyed our visit to Niagara Falls.  Next post is on our visit to Our Lady of Fatima Shrine in nearby Lewiston, New York.