A Visit To The Canal

When Sammy visits Grammy, we usually include a visit to the canal. I'm speaking of the Erie Canal, built in 1825 and opening up points west to economic development. The canal cut the cost of transportation by 95% and was a monumental feat of engineering with its locks to move the water through varying elevations. The canal brought goods and services from Albany NY to Buffalo NY, a distance of 363 miles. The barges were pulled by mules which walked along the canal banks pulling their precious cargo. None of this means a hill of beans to Sammy though. To her, it's a wonderful place to visit because there's an ice cream store that sells fresh homemade icecream................plus she gets to feed the ducks who make their home in the canal's waters. Grammy empties her cupboards of every half finished bag of crackers, pretzels, gold fish, stale bread, cereal, etc. and we set out for the canal. We usually run out of our own duck food and end up buying some from the shops along the canal. Sammy runs like a tornado along the banks, bag of "duck food" in hand, shouting to her sister, "c'mon Megan, there's a thousand pieces of duck". (This is the terminology Sammy uses to describe a huge amount of anything)

There are many points of interest along the canal which runs through several small towns in our locality, including our own town. There are restaurants whose tables overlook the canal, icecream shops which have tables and gazebos on the banks so you can lick and gaze at the peaceful waters. In my town, all along the downtown, our town has set up water and electricity connections so that touring water craft can hook up and spend a few days touring our town. Our Philharmonic Orchestra gives concerts there in the Summertime and there's also an annual duck race, but this time it's yellow rubber duckies. I'm at a loss to imagine how anyone gets those duckies to race.......but they do. To me, the Erie Canal remains a charming piece of local history. I love to visit along its banks...............and most especially with my precious girls ♥ ♥ ♥