There's more than just Niagara!
One beautiful fall day last October I joined a day outing to Dundas, Ontario with the Toronto Branch of the Bruce Trail Hiking Club. I've been a hiking enthusiast for years and was anticipating a pleasant day outdoors but to my surprise, we spent a good chunk of the day enjoying not one but two waterfalls: Webster's Falls and Tews Falls, along the Niagara Escarpment.
They were absolutely stunning. I regretted not having my camera with me, but take a look at these photographs of Tews and Webster's Falls on Flickr. I made a mental note to do more research on waterfalls but never got around to it. Then just last week a book landed on my desk.
Waterfalls of Ontario (Firefly Books)
Tracking Ontario's waterfalls could be a vacation in itself. In fact, it would take several dozen road trips at least to visit each and every one of them. Few nature-lovers are as fortunate as travel aficionado and water resources expert Mark Harris and photographer George Fischer. In "Waterfalls of Ontario" they have co-produced a book that is inspiring as well as practical. They've included tips on accessibility, quality of hiking trails, activity in the area surrounding each waterfall (whether it's busy with visitors or more conducive to quiet reflection). It's even more inspiring when you read in the introduction that Harris was moved to "produce something beautiful" in the aftermath of September 11, 2001. And that's just what he did.
As the authors write:
We dedicate this book and the waterfalls it contains to those in need of inner strength and tranquility. We promise you it will be found at these magical places."
Look for the book in a store near you or visit Firefly Books for more information.
