The Niagara Peninsula - Birthplace of the Canadian Identity

October 18 - 25, 2008

The war of 1812 pitted the fledgling nation of Canada of 700,000 scattered inhabitants against the might of the United States (7.7 million). The cause of the conflict was a maritime dispute but the American objective was clear – to drive the British out of Canada and add it to the rapidly expanding USA .

Battles occurred on several fronts but some of the most ferocious took place in a see-saw struggle along the Niagara Frontier. President Jefferson said that “taking Canada is only a matter of marching.”   We will see how wrong he was.

Our hikes in the Niagara Peninsula will take us to many of the battle scenes up and down the Niagara Escarpment.

We will climb to the Brock Monument and walk the route taken by General Sheaffe to capture more than 1000 invaders on Queenston Heights – October 13, 1812.

We will retrace the path of Laura Secord from her home in Queenston to DeCew House on the Escarpment to warn the British of a planned American attack. Laura stepped forever into the history and folklore of Niagara and her bravery led to a decisive British victory at Beaver Dams – June 22, 1813.

We will visit Fort George which was captured by American General Dearborn in May of 1813, and recaptured following the battle of Stoney Creek.

The battle of Lundy's lane, July 25, 1814 was the hardest fought engagement of the war with more than 800 casualties on each side. Both combatants claimed victory but the battle marked the end of American attempts to drive the British from Canada and they returned to American soil in November, 1814.

In the words of one historian “the war of 1812 fostered a Canadian Identity and the realization that Canada, although inhabited by similar people with parallel cultural and ethnic backgrounds, distinctly differed from the United States.”

The Niagara Region also offers, Escarpment Geology, Carolinian Flora, The Famous Waterfall and (of course) Award Winning Wines. And we see (and taste) them all,

•  explore the Niagara Gorge and study the Geology of the Niagara Escarpment.

•  hike the Cataract Trail at Balls Falls and visit the pioneer buildings.

•  hike Short Hills Provincial Park and identify trees of the Carolinian Region.

•  see Niagara Falls close up from the deck of the Maid of the Mist.

•  no trip to the Niagara would be complete without a visit (and tasting) at one of the local wineries.

This is a trip that has something for everyone - moderate hikes to interesting and historic destinations, Niagara Falls close up, dramatic autumn colours, all in Canada's principal wine producing region.

ITINERARY:

Saturday, Oct. 20 We meet at a designated hotel near Pearson International Airport in Toronto.

Sunday, Oct. 21 Drive directly to Queenston and hike up the Sheaffe Trail to Queenston Heights (5 kilometers). We can climb the 235 stairs to the top of the recently restored Brock Monument and enjoy the spectacular view. The Brock Monument has an interesting history - having been destroyed mysteriously in 1840 and rebuilt in its present form in1856.

Monday, Oct. 22 Laura Secord Day – visit her homestead in Queenston then hike over the Welland Canal and up to Decew House and the delightful Morningstar Mill and Museum.
(12 kilometers).

Tuesday, Oct. 23 Niagara Falls Day - visit Niagara Falls and see it up close from the famous Maid of the Mist. Hike into the Niagara Glen and examine the Geology of the Escarpment
(5 kilometers).

Wednesday Oct. 24 Short Hills Provincial Park. Great hiking with no bugs and fall colours (15 kilometers).

Thursday, Oct. 25 Hike the Sassafrass trail in Saint Johns Conservation Area to find old growth trees from the Carolinian Region (6 kilometers). Later we can visit Balls Falls with its pioneer buildings and hike the Cataract Trail (5 kilometers).

Friday, Oct. 26 Tour Fort George and picturesque Niagara-on-the-Lake with a Winery Tour (and tasting) in the afternoon.

Saturday, Oct. 27 Return to Toronto Pearson Airport arriving before noon.

Land cost for this trip is $898 plus 6 % GST from Toronto. This covers van transport throughout, park fees, Maid of the Mist trip, wine tasting, the fully guided program, accommodation in comfortable B&B's (double or triple occupancy with bath), all breakfasts.

Although every effort will be made to adhere to the above program changes may be necessary due to unforeseen circumstances.

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