Me vs. The Falls

Niagara Falls
Originally uploaded by Elizabeth Wentling.

I've always found Niagara Falls to be one of the most majestic places in the world. Sure the commercialization and tourist traps are an eyesore, but once you get past all of that and right up to the falls, you can't help but feeling the power.

Due to the hydroelectric plants (which is probably powering my computer right now), the natural flow of the falls has been reduced to a fraction of what it should be. I can't fathom what Niagara Falls would look like if it were allowed to flow the way it had hundreds of years ago.

I'm clearly not alone in my fondness for The Falls, as it's always been a source of inspiration for daredevils, suicides and lovers.

There comes news of a man that has survived the plunge. Although it's unclear of his intentions (it seems he was attempting suicide), he remains only the 3rd person to survive a trip on The Falls.

Another survivor from an accidental jump in 1960 recounts his experience eloquently:

"It felt like I was floating – not going up and not going down – and when I hit the water there wasn't a big splat or anything."

I can't imagine anything coming close to the feeling of being 'in' The Falls, but I I'd like to experience it. I just don't have the guts.