City September 3, 2010 9:20 AM

Time to take a leisurely cruise...

Time to take a leisurely cruise...
There couldn't be a better way to enjoy the last weekend of summer than by taking a leisurely cruise up the Niagara River and through the Black Rock locks at 10:00 a.m. this Sunday, September 5. Join docents of Buffalo Tours and the Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper on the Miss Buffalo on a two-hour tour and learn about the history and environmental issues of this natural wonder, right in our backyard.

Why is it incorrect to call the Niagara a river? How many light houses are there? Can we see any remnants of the original Erie Canal? And how many species of gulls can be found along the Niagara? Find out the answers to these and many other questions.

Reservations are recommended, as space is limited. Meet at the Miss Buffalo Cruise Boats on Marine Drive on the Buffalo waterfront. The cost is $20 or $10 for students ($15/$5 for members). Boarding begins at 9:30 a.m.

For more information, call 716-852-3399 or visit www.BuffaloTours.org. Tickets can be purchased over the phone or online.

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Why it is incorrect to call the Niagara a river? because it is actually a strait between Lake Erie and Ontario.
Can we see any remants of the Erie Canal? There is a small dead end piece at the International Railroad Bridge.
Good to see the interest in the history and environmental issues surrounding the Niagara River.

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I have wondered about the river vs. straight nomenclature, ever since reading it in 'City of Light', but never was able to find a definitive answer.

I've heard that the East River in NYC is technically a straight also. And of course the Hudson, St Lawrence and Thames are all estuaries, not rivers for most of their length. Was really surprised to find out that the Missouri River is technically part of the Mississippi, and the section that begins in Minnesota is actually just a tributary. But in all cases, it's the original names given by European explorers that stuck.

Would love to see the technical reasoning behind the Niagara Straight. Is it because it's not navigable? Because it's fed by a lake instead of tributaries? Or because it doesn't have seasonal depth fluctuations? If I was in town for the cruise, I'd pay just to get the answer! lol.

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There is the Great Lakes Cruising Coalition and a few other organizations offering Great Lakes Cruises. Last time I checked Buffalo was the only Great lakes city that wasnt a member.

Would love to see a Great Lakes Cruise Ship docking at the DL&W like it did historically.

In Great Britain they offer these very long thin CanalBoats which have beds, kitchens, etc. You can rent them for a day or weekend or longer and slowly cruise the Canals from one town to the next. Its an awesome vacation option for those that like slow relaxing options. Imagine people going from the Hudson to Buffalo in a Canal Boat as people hike the Appalachian Trail from Main to Georgia (which is on my list of lifelong adventures)...

Whether culturally, geographically or historically Buffalo offers everything wonderful except jobs.

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