Geographile

I made this word up for my last post:

geographile, noun. A person interested in geography.

Worldmapper

Geographiles in the readership may want to check out Worldmapper, "a collection of world maps, where territories are re-sized on each map according to the subject of interest," such as income, natural resources, or toy imports. Click on "Map Categories" to see what kind of maps are available. On each map's page, you can open a PDF file with additional information. I find the site both interesting and educatonal.

South Africa Saves the Day

Well, would you look at that! Just a few days after I complained that the blog had never been visited from Africa, we got our first hit from that continent. Now if we can only get Antarctica to join in the fun...

Photos: Niagara Falls: American Side

Here are some photos taken from the American side of Niagara Falls. By the way, I should have mentioned before that the falls are about 55 meters (180 feet) tall, and the Canadian (Horseshoe) falls are about a mile across.

Photos: Niagara Falls: Canadian Side

Here, for your entertainment, I present a few photos of our trip to Niagara Falls. These were taken from the Canadian side of the river and from the Maid of the Mist. Perhaps I'll put up some more, later.

Africa!

I can't help but feel that the entire continent of Africa is snubbing us.

Slowly I Turned, Step by Step, Inch by Inch

While we were in the Buffalo area for Brian and Kristan's wedding, Alison and I visited Niagara Falls. Here's a little of what we learned:

1. The Niagara River flows north from Lake Erie to Lake Ontario. Thus, in the Buffalo area, Canada, specifically Ontario, is to the west, which seems to confuse some people.
   
2. The Canadian (or Horseshoe) Falls are larger and more impressive than the American Falls or the Bridal Veil Falls*.
   
3. All three falls can be seen best from the Canadian side of the border. For this reason, in many films and television series, scenes are shot on the Canadian side, even if they allegedly take place in the States**.
4. You can get much closer to the falls from the American side.
5. The Maid of the Mist boat tour of the falls, available from either side of the river/border, is way cool. I suggest taking swim goggles.
6. We didn't get a chance to do the Journey Behind the Falls, available from the Canadian side, or the Cave of The Winds trip, available from the American side. (These journeys take you right up to the rushing water.) They seem worthwhile, though.
   
7. Because of Points 3 and 4, to really maximize your tourist experience, one should see the falls from both sides.
8. There's an extended tourist trap lining both sides of a street just west of the river, about a km downstream of the falls. It contains all manner of wax museums, haunted houses, "adventure" centers, and so on, and it should be avoided at all costs.
   

* The Bridal Veil Falls are on the US side of the border and are separated from the so-called American falls by a tiny island.
** See, for example, one of my favorite series of the many that were canceled prematurely by Fox, Wonderfalls.

Turks and What Now?

I recently learned that Todd is getting married on a Caribbean island. Why didn't we think of that?

Cranking it Up to Eleven

Brian---Biostats Brian, that is---brought back a souvenir from his trip to Rick's Coast. He relates the story with surprising humor here.

D

Check it out: According to our ClustrMaps map, Industrial-Strength Science has passed 500 visits (D visits to you Romans) since March 7. Granted, half of those are by the two of us, and half of the remainder are are probably mistakes, but still...

Now if you'll excuse me, I need to use my Razr to post some photos to Flickr. Maybe then I'll watch some Wondrfalls and Doctr Who.