Caught in the Act

Ryan Gosling & Eva Mendes Sightsee at Niagara Falls

06/07/2012 at 10:55 AM EDT

Ryan Gosling couldn't bring girlfriend Eva Mendes to his native Canadian province of Ontario without a visit to its most famous attraction – Niagara Falls!

On their trip north of the border this week, the Hollywood couple were spotted doing a little sightseeing, even taking a ride on the Niagara SkyWheel to get a good view of the iconic falls.

For Gosling, 31, who grew up in London, Ontario, it was a special trip in another way, too. On Wednesday, he and Mendes, 38, attended graduation at Brock University to cheer on Gosling's mother Donna as she earned her bachelor's degree in education.

The Toronto Sun reports that Gosling, proud of his mom, jumped to his feet and applauded and snapped pictures as she received her diploma. Otherwise the actor and his girlfriend sat toward the back of the auditorium, the paper reports, whispering to each other during the ceremony.



Afterward, the two repaired to a room with all the graduates.

"He requested privacy for himself and his family," university spokesman Kevin Cavanagh told the Sun. "He told me this was his mom's day and the graduates' day. He didn't want to be a diversion."
– Tim Nudd

RELATED: Demi Moore Laughs the Night Away with Pals over Dinner