June 16, 2012 Members of the Wallenda family practice on a 90-foot high wire at the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey's winter headquarters in Sarasota, Fla., March 19, 1944. (AP Photo Nic Walenda daringly, and I do mean daringly, walked across the slippery, misty, foggy Niagara Falls on a tightrope 1800 feet above the falls today. It was a first! Now he is setting his sights on the Grand Canyon. He is fearless and fascinating but better him than me. Walenda said the view from above the falls was amazing. He credits prayer and concentration for his success. He described the winds coming from every direction and a powerful mist. His special shoes were made by his mother.