It was May of 2018. My parents’ 65th anniversary was coming up and we wanted to celebrate it but not with a party. So, we asked them to take a road trip with us, which seemed a perfect way to celebrate since our love of road trips came from them! I had grown up taking annual trips with my parents, in part, due to my dad’s fear of flying.
We invited them to take a trip to New York to visit several locations with sentimental meaning for the four of us. Before heading east, we searched online for the best route, and I noticed how close we were going to be to Niagara Falls. I decided we would have to add that to our destination list. We made sure to update our passports so we could visit both sides, American and Canadian.
We packed our Toyota Camry with everything we might possibly need. My parents were 86 and 85 so we packed canes and a small wheelchair “just in case.” Thankfully, David is an expert packer. We headed east on I-44 to St. Louis, caught I-70 towards Indianapolis and beyond. We decided to stop for the night in Columbus, Ohio.
Just like on our other road trips, the first order of business was looking for a local brewpub. The only difference with this trip was that David would have a beer drinking partner – my dad! Dad met David before I did, and they bonded over pizza and beer long before I entered into the picture.
David and I scoured the internet and found the oldest brewpub operating in Columbus, Barley’s Brewing Company. You can’t be in business 25+ years and be bad, right? That’s right! It’s located in the North Market District. They pride themselves on brewing Real Ale, which is cask-conditioned, unfiltered, unpasteurized beer. Both David and Dad enjoyed the Barley’s Pilsner, which is brewed with ale yeast and Czech Saaz hops. We all enjoyed their menu which included burgers, pasta and fish and chips. If you are passing through Columbus, please consider giving this brewery a try.
The next morning, we headed out of Columbus north on I-71 towards Cleveland where we hit I-90 to Niagara Falls. I-90 runs along Lake Erie so there are many opportunities for views of the lake.
Fun Fact: Lake Erie is the shallowest and smallest by volume of the five Great Lakes, and it’s the only Great Lake whose deepest point is above sea level.
We arrived at Niagara Falls and were immediately in awe. You cannot help but be moved by the thunderous roar of the cascading water, filling the air with a steady, powerful rumble. Watching millions of gallons of water plunge over the cliff every minute, you can’t help but be struck by nature’s sheer force and beauty. It is both exhilarating and humbling.
If you are so inclined, there are many tour options for the Falls, both on the Canadian side and the American side. Located in Ontario, the Canadian side offers stunning, panoramic views of both the Horseshoe Falls and the American Falls. This side offers beautifully landscaped parks, observation points, and vibrant tourist attractions. The Horseshoe Falls, which is larger and more dramatic, forms a distinctive crescent shape and pours water in a massive curtain over the edge. Visitors on the Canadian side have the advantage of standing at various vantage points that allow them to see the full width of both falls, including Table Rock Welcome Centre, where you can feel the ground tremble under the waterfall's power.
We went on to our next 3 destinations and then headed home. We covered a lot of territory on this trip, but the impression made by Niagara Falls is indelible. It makes me want to capture not only the sight and sound of the Falls but also the scent, a fresh, invigorating blend of water and earth, mingled with the cool mist that fills the air. The combination of the Drive Time® Power Fresh® 12V Exotic Teak and Truck Puck® Watermint scents diffusing in my car helps me keep that memory lively…and inspires me to see those Falls again.
Lori Herr for The Gift of Scent