17 Days on the Erie Canal

Scene on the Erie Canal:

Bridges at intersection of Erie Canal and Genesee River -- and a dredger clearing the crossing

A provisioning trip in Brewerton, NY

We saw lots of old ads on buildings -- this one was in really good shape

A little too close for comfort

Our "crew" resting between locks

We saw lots of these rental canal boats -- looks like a fun way to spend a week

Murals along the Canal

We finally found Sal in Fairpoirt

A view from the top of the Lockport Stair Step lock

The last bridge on the Canal -- thank goodness!

Today, July 2, 2014 at 1:42 PM we tied FREEDOM to the wall in Tonawanda New York and completed our 341 mile, 35 lock and who knows how many bridges journey across the Erie Canal.  We never imagined the sense of accomplishment we would feel. It was more adventuresome, more physically demanding and more fun than we might have predicted.

Certain memories stand out:

• the wonderful people we have met from Loopers to LockMasters to Locals in the many towns we visited.
• the Locks and the Lines and the Lifts and the Falls. From the 40' lift near Little Falls to the stair step locks of Lockport we hung on and never ceased to be amazed
• the volunteers, the overflowing flowerpots and the American flags that welcomed us in most towns and cities
• the ever changing landscape from the wide Mohawk River valley to our peaceful early morning trip across Oneida Lake to the tree lined "Clinton's Ditch" as the final third of the Canal is known
• fisher-people everywhere and the friendly waves from children and adults who lined the banks of the canal to watch us pass

Now it is time to celebrate the Fourth with family in Buffalo, re-attach the radar arch, re-provision and get ready for the Great Lakes!