Buffalo/Niagara Falls, NY

I crossed the New York state line shortly after leaving Cleveland. When I got to Buffalo it was already dark out and there wasn't much to see. I didn't bother taking any pictures. There was nothing to take a picture of. It didn't look like much of a vibrant city. Everything was closed, and the city was dark. It seemed desolate.

Little did I know that Niagara Falls was only 20 minutes from Buffalo, so I planned on checking it out the next day. I drove twenty more miles to the Niagara Falls area, and looked for a place to camp. When I got to the Kampgrounds of America site, it seemed pretty full with RVs and tents. The rate was around $50.00 for tents with no electricity, and $60.00 if you wanted electricity. The free internet service was the old dial-up, and I desperately needed access to make some contacts in Syracuse and Boston, (ensuring that I have a place to stay when I get there). Plus, for the price, I was better off paying for a hotel room and have a comfy bed, so I drove a little closer to the Falls area and checked into another hotel.

The poor hotel service theme from Ohio, seemed to continue in Niagara Falls. This time I stayed at a Quality Inn, which really lacked the quality part. Internet access was limited, and I spent most of the night running my computer around the lobby and the hallways just to find a signal. I didn't even feel like complaining about it because it's been quite evident that hotel and lodging in less populated areas lack stellar customer service, so it wouldn't be worth the effort. Plus, I'd have to pay a lot more just to get a little better service. I dealt with what I got, although, I wasn't very happy.

I drove to the Falls the next morning. After traveling now for a month and a half, going to these tourist sites are getting less and less interesting. The costs are adding up. and I'm convinced that their only existence is to make a buck. Parking was $10.00, but the actual looking at the water fall was free--what a relief!




Other than looking at the falls there really wasn't anything else there that I found interesting. There were tours on a boat which takes you near the Falls, and they also offer tours down a cliff side which also takes you near the bottom of the Falls, but I didn't feel like getting wet or paying the money. So I took my pictures and left to Syracuse.



I did get to see a group of Amish people for the first time in my life. That was interesting!