First, let me say right off the bat, that Niagara Falls is one of the biggest tourist traps I've ever encountered... from the Information Center that smells like rancid grease to ripping off every nickel from each tourist at every turn, this is tackiness at its best (or worst depending on your definition of tacky). However, the Falls themselves and the surrounding grounds are spectacular. I won't belabor the point; the included pictures speak for themselves.
What was more impressive than the Falls though were Lake Erie and Ontario... I first got a glimpse of Lake Erie from the highway into Erie, PA. There were huge container ships in the distance steaming westward. Moving into Buffalo, there were significant waves lapping up against the docks due to the lake winds. Oh, speaking of lake winds - check out the picture of Buffalo's attempt at renewable energy. A wind farm with five or six turbines sitting right on the shore line! This was so incongruous to the downtown Buffalo skyline, I burst out laughing and had to pull over to take this picture (click on the picture to see it in a larger image).
Unfortunately, the rest of Buffalo was much sadder. Factory after factory along the waterfront was shuttered down including the Ford and GM powertrain plants. If there is a recovery underway, it sure hasn't made it to Buffalo's industrial sector. In fact, throughout my tour so far, it's very obvious that the Upper Midwest is still suffering deeply from the recession. Empty storefronts, closed car dealerships and many, many homes for sale with foreclosure signs on the door. Given that this region of the country has traditionally been dependent on the industrial sector for jobs and a thriving local economy; it's hard to conceive that there will be a return to good times in the near future.
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