Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1895-08-29
A TRIP TO NIAGARA FALLS.
How to See the Great Falls and Other
Points of Interest I'm One Day.

From my earliest recollections,
, have always dreamed of the day wher
should see Niagara Falls. How
many times have read of Niagara and
wished (like many other boys perhaps
that | might be able to go and see the
falls. My boyhood dream has at last
been realized.
On the morning of August 18th,
with several other Belding people
started on the big excursion given by
the Grand Trunk railway company via
Detroit to Niagara Falls. This being
so cheap trip, put it within the reach
of many to avail themselves of the
opportunity. SO cheap rate for the
round trip almost discouraged me from
going, for | have often realized the fact
that cheap rates brought many discom-
forts to the traveller. My fears were
needless for all the comforts of any
ordinary railroad trip were enjoyed
Although our section had on board
nearly five hundred people, we were
not crowded for room, every person
having seat, and schedule time was
made. No accident or incident occur
red TO mar our pleasant daylight trip,
arriving at Niagara about 8 p. m, u
little too late to see the Falls from
Suspension bridge, but not too late TO
hear its mighty rush and roar, which
thousands of years hence will still be
heard the same, unless the works of
man should interfere too much with the
works of nature.
Although tired and hungry on our
arrival, sleep did not visit my eyes
until had seen the American side of
the great Falls. Then / sought my bed
to sleep my first night within the sound
of the rushing waters, that like the
soughing of the wind through the pine
forests, soon lulled me to rest.
Luck sometimes favors us when we
least expect it. We met at the hotel
where we stopped, gentleman who
had seen Niagara on several different
occasions. An old tourist has the fac
ulty of distinguishing a green arrival
on sight. In our case it proved boon
to us that we were so easily distinguish
ed. We gained from this gentleman a
perfect knowledge Of how, to sec Mag |
ara in the shortest possible time and
for the least expense. For the benefit |
of my friends who may some day take |
this trip will attempt in my poor way
to describe the route and the many |
points of interest to ne seen. If you |
are an American, you will undoubtedly
stop on the American side.
After thoroughly resting up, the
morning after our arrival we started
on foot for the Falls on the American
side. This is only short walk from
the main part of the town, through
shady groves to the waters edge In
fact some very fine resort hotels are
within sight of the Falls. We follow
ed the graveled walks leading through
a beautiful natural park down to
where the ledge of rock hangs out al
most over the Falls What a sight,
never to be forgotten) met our view.
Looking up the river the water comes
dashing over the rocky rapids around
Goat Island as far as the eye can see
with a rush and roar that no human
power could resist. 1t leaps over the
Falls to the rocks 100 feet below, and
is dashed into foam and spray like the
waves of the ocean i'm storm. No pen
can describe thesublimity and grandeur
of the scene, nor can tongue give eX-
preston to the awe inspiring sensations
produced by this wonderful work of
nature. 1t must be seen to be compre-
hended.
After viewing the Falls we wended
our way down to the new foot and car
riage suspension bridge. This bridge
was first built of wood in 1869, rebuilt
in 1889 entirely of steel. 1t has span
Of twelve hundred and siXty-eight feet
from center TO center of towers.
Heighth from rail to water, over two
hundred and fifty feet. Here we pur
chased ticket for ten cents to cross
the bridge. About the middle of the
bridge you first gain fine view Of the
Horseshoe Falls and also the American
Falls.
After crossing the bridge we pur-
chased tickets for round trip on the
Niagara Falls River II. Il. cars. This
road is thirteen and one-half miles
.ong and skirts the edge Of the Canad- {
AN side of the river from Chippewa TO
Queenstown. This road affords at the
present time the best and quickest as
we'll as the cheapest access to almost
every point of view along the river at a
cost of only 75 cents for the round trip
with privilege to stop at any point you
wish without extra charge. After
the cars, remembering the I
advice given us, we followed it and
,ook the up car to Chippewa. This