Exploring Nature: Waterfalls

I do love a waterfall.

There is something about large quantities of water rushing over a steep precipice that is wonderfully awe inspiring.

Sometimes it is a matter of the height involved; Angel Falls in Brazil plunges 3,212 feet, compared to Niagara Falls, which is “only” 167 feet high. I have thoroughly enjoyed several waterfalls, including Victoria Falls in Africa, where I got slightly damp from the spray. Also great sights were Iguazu in Brazil, Gulfoss in Iceland and Multonomah in the United States.

I have never seen Niagara Falls, which is the world’s best in terms of the sheer amount of water. It flows at some 700,000 gallons every second, enough to fill an Olympic-sized swimming pool in half a second.

And there’s something about Niagara that brings out the daredevils, either walking a tightrope across the chasm or riding in a barrel over the precipice.

The first woman to go over Niagara was 63-year-old school teacher Annie Edson Taylor in 1901. She emerged from the barrel, bleeding but alive, and offered these sage words of advice: “No one ought ever do that again.”

These days, it is illegal to even try going over.

Finally, you should know that Niagara Falls rains fish. They come from the Niagara River and I imagine they are quite surprised when they plunge over the thundering cascade. I am told some 90 % survive. Without a barrel yet.

Tourists often visit Niagara Falls as passengers on the Maid of the Mist boat, enjoying the oldest tourist attraction in North America, doing business since 1846.

If you plan to visit Niagara, bear in mind it is slowly eroding away at about a foot a year. It will cease to exist in 50,000 years.

Better hurry.