Maid of the Mist, Skylon Tower, Niagara-on-the-Lake

"Indian legend tells of Lelawala, a beautiful maid betrothed by her father to a brave she dispised. Rather than marry, Lelawala chose to sacrifice herself to her true love, He-No, the Thunder God, who dwelled in a cave behind the Horseshoe Falls. She paddled the canoe into the swift current of the Niagara River and was swept over the brink. He-No caught her as she plummeted and together their spirits are said to live forever in the Thunder God's sanctuary behind the Falls."- The Magic of Niagara, by George Bailey

The Maid of the Mist boat got her name from this legend. The first Maid of the Mist started navigating the lower Niagara River on May 27, 1846. She was replaced by a second, bigger Maid started on July 14, 1854. It was then sold to a Canadian, who sailed her down the rapids to Queenston, Ontario on June 6, 1861. The 3rd Maid started opperations in June of 1885. The 4th Maid of the Mist was made for the American side in 1892. But, on April 22, Both Maids burned. They were then replaced by steel boats. The First one was Christened The Maid of the Mist I on July 25, 1955. Next was the Maid of the Mist II in June of 1956. This was the boat that picked up Roger Woodward, after his trip over the Falls. (See my lense on Daredevils: www.squidoo.com/NiagaraDaredevils .) She was sold in 1983 and is still used to transport missionaries on the Amazon River. In 1972, the Maid of the Mist III started, and in 1976, the Maid of the Mist IV started. On June 6, 1983, Maid of the Mist V started. Then, in 1990, the largest Maid of the Mist ,VI, opened. The last 4 are still running.

The Skylon Tower oppened on Oct 6, 1965. The tower is 775 ft. tall, but it only takes a 52 second elevator ride to get to the observation level. There are both indoor and outdoor observation decks on the same level. On a very clear day, from the outside observation level, you can see 8,000 square miles. There are probably 2 or 3 days a year that the air quality is so good that you can see the CN tower in downtown Toronto from the Skylon Tower.

The villiage of Niagara-on-the-Lake sits at the point where the Niagara River meets Lake Ontario. The villiage was first settled in 1776. Niagara-on-the-Lake was the first capital of Upper Canada. It was the first place to make slavery illegal in North America. During the war of 1812, many battles were fought in the Niagara Region. Niagara-on the-Lake was burned to the ground. This charming Victorian villiage has been rebuilt. Niagara-on-the-Lake is now home to the Shaw Festival, and it's 10 plays. The clock tower in the main square was also used in the movie It's a Wonderful Life.