Arctic Niagara Falls (New York, Feb 17, 2015)
Feb 18, 2015 10:05:48 GMT -5
Post by GaliWalker on Feb 18, 2015 10:05:48 GMT -5
If you like a world of snow and ice, Niagara Falls in winter is the place for you. Just be prepared for frigid temperatures.
I left Pittsburgh around 2:50am. The temperature was around 10°F, but this eventually fell to -13°F as I drove northwards. Thankfully, it had warmed up to -3°F, when I got out of the car at Niagara Falls (New York), a little after sunrise. Tolerable...or so I thought.
As I walked over to the falls a stiff wind had me scrambling to put on my balaclava. Peering through a thin slit for my eyes, I resumed my walk to the waterfall. My first sight of Niagara Falls was as thrilling as always. Dawn had the snow surrounding the falls glowing a pretty pink. I had timed my date with Niagara Falls for just this moment of romance, but I was soon to find my love unrequited. As I set up for photography, a fine mist, from all the spray, settled on my camera gear and froze instantly. A wind chill of -18°F will do that to water. I hurriedly snapped a solitary photo and then retreated back to the car to first unfreeze and then wipe my camera dry of the ice. Hmm, this will need some rethinking.
Dawn's blush
I decided to wander over to Goat Island, perched between the American Falls and the main Horseshoe Falls. The spray was just a bit less but practically as problematic.
The rest of the day was spent wandering around Niagara Falls, in a cycle of brave-the-cold-and-take-pictures/find-shelter-to-warm-up-and-dry-out-my-equipment. At one point I realized that most of the spray was falling as rain, so I dug out my umbrella. I was able to take a few shots, but my happiness was short lived after the fierce wind whipped my supposedly storm-proof umbrella inside out.
I eventually gave up on battling the elements around 4:00pm and called it a day. I reached Pittsburgh at 8:40pm, concluding another successful winter pilgrimage to Niagara Falls.
I left Pittsburgh around 2:50am. The temperature was around 10°F, but this eventually fell to -13°F as I drove northwards. Thankfully, it had warmed up to -3°F, when I got out of the car at Niagara Falls (New York), a little after sunrise. Tolerable...or so I thought.
As I walked over to the falls a stiff wind had me scrambling to put on my balaclava. Peering through a thin slit for my eyes, I resumed my walk to the waterfall. My first sight of Niagara Falls was as thrilling as always. Dawn had the snow surrounding the falls glowing a pretty pink. I had timed my date with Niagara Falls for just this moment of romance, but I was soon to find my love unrequited. As I set up for photography, a fine mist, from all the spray, settled on my camera gear and froze instantly. A wind chill of -18°F will do that to water. I hurriedly snapped a solitary photo and then retreated back to the car to first unfreeze and then wipe my camera dry of the ice. Hmm, this will need some rethinking.
Dawn's blush
I decided to wander over to Goat Island, perched between the American Falls and the main Horseshoe Falls. The spray was just a bit less but practically as problematic.
The rest of the day was spent wandering around Niagara Falls, in a cycle of brave-the-cold-and-take-pictures/find-shelter-to-warm-up-and-dry-out-my-equipment. At one point I realized that most of the spray was falling as rain, so I dug out my umbrella. I was able to take a few shots, but my happiness was short lived after the fierce wind whipped my supposedly storm-proof umbrella inside out.
I eventually gave up on battling the elements around 4:00pm and called it a day. I reached Pittsburgh at 8:40pm, concluding another successful winter pilgrimage to Niagara Falls.
