Category: North America

Golden Gate, San Francisco, California USA

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The Golden Gate is a California suspension bridge spanning the Golden Gate Strait which is the junction between the San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean, linking the city of San Francisco (northern tip of the San Francisco Peninsula) to the city of Sausalito (southern tip of County of Marin). Its construction took four years (1933-1937). Recognized worldwide for its orange color and the architecture of its two towers, is the most famous landmark of San Francisco. It was Joseph Strauss, German-born engineer, the director with a group of specialists. It was inaugurated on May 27th, 1937 with a ‘pedestrian day’ where thousands of people turned out for the occasion. It has 30 meters wide, six lanes open to traffic and two alleys for pedestrians on each side. They are currently working to put the bridge with safety standards in an earthquake because the area is known to be on two quite dangerous faults. The bridge is thus gradually renovated, so much so that the original steel will eventually disappear completely. The real challenge is that no one has to realize this work.

Tips

You can visit the Golden Gate Center open daily from 09:00 to 18:00 except on Christmas and Thanksgiving Action.
It is convenient to reach it by public transportation or by bike because it’s difficult to find parking.
You can cross the bridge on foot or by bicycle, but only during the day, access is completely closed at 18.30.
It is best to get information about how to pay the toll on their website before you go.

Niagara Falls, Canada-United States border

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Niagara Falls is a group of three waterfalls located on the Niagara River that connects Lake Erie with Lake Ontario in eastern North America on the Canada-United States border. They are the Canadian Falls or Horseshoe, the American Falls and the Bridal Veil. They are known for their width but they are not high, they fall from a height of 52 meters. They are shared by the twin cities of Niagara Falls (New York) in the United States and Niagara Falls (Ontario) in Canada which are connected by three bridges (Rainbow Bridge, Whirpool Rapids and Lewinston Queenston Bridge). The largest Canadian falls are about 792 meters long and the American ones are only 323 meters long. The flow of falls during the high season is 5.720 m3 / s. Water has a diversion for hydroelectric production. The most powerful hydroelectric plants on the Niagara are Sir Adam Beck 1 and 2 on the Canadian side and the Robert Moses Niagara Power Plant and the Levingston Pump Generating Plant on the American side. They receive a lot of tourism especially in summer and there are spotlights that illuminate both sides of the falls from dusk to midnight.

Tips

If you visit the falls in summer, you will find several activities to do. On the American side you have hiking trails, an observation tower or the Niagara Scenic Trolley which offers guided tours. On the Canadian side, you have Queen Victoria Park with gardens and terraces that offer views of the American Falls and the Horseshoe; there is also an underground path that leads you into observation rooms that give the illusion of being inside the falls themselves. You also have the observation point of Skylon Tower.

Maid of the Mist cruises will take you into the whirlpools behind the falls and the cable cars will transport you over the whirlpool behind the falls on the Canadian side.

There are also two zip lines.

On the Canadian side, you’ll find lots of shops and a lively nightlife until late as many hotels for every budget.

If you want to have a great meal all you can eat, you can go to the Casino on the Canadian side; it’s worth it.

Bolton East, Memphremagog, Estrie, Quebec, Canada

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East Bolton is a Quebec municipality located in the municipality of Memphremagog in Estrie, 120 km from Montreal and 65 km from Sherbrooke. There is a chain of hills that runs through the municipality diagonally where several rivers and streams originate. It includes Mount Glen, the Missisquoi River Bolton Falls, many lakes, streams, valleys, ponds and wetlands. The first settlers (1808) established in the area that is called Bolton Centre, after there was a dismemberment, when Magog was formed as the West Bolton region, that is why the municipality of East Bolton now occupies just a quarter of the territory of the original territory of the canton, 81 square km. To see: St. Patrick’s Anglican Church (1874), rhe municipality Bolton-Est building (1867), Holy Trinity Anglican Church (1859) among others. It is a very quiet area, ideal for hiking, biking, fishing, camping and skiing. There are also many artists who settled in the region.

Tips

It’s a nice place for a family outing and to enjoy activities such as agritourism, visit the national parks you find in the area, visit the producers and taste local products such as cheese, ice ciders, wines and chocolates.
For a relaxing or romantic outing, enjoy the Bolton Falls Spa.