So, I'm here in Syracuse with the day to myself. What to do, what to do? Why not learn about the Erie Canal?
I took off for downtown Syracuse and headed for the Erie Canal Museum. But the ADD part of me (Look! Something shiny!) noticed what a cool part of town I'd landed in and decided to wander around a bit.
Unknowingly, I'd parked right behind City Hall. What an impressive stone building! Nobody's breaking in there - it's a fortress!
Just down the street a few blocks was a beautiful Episcopal church with the most peaceful planted courtyard sitting behind it.
The courtyard of the church looked out onto a plaza featuring a statue of Christopher Columbus, dedicated to all the Italians of the city. The base of the statue was surrounded by a fountain with interesting detail...
On the opposite side of the plaza sat the Courthouse. Another imposing building.
Side streets offered other buildings of interesting architecture, including an old-time diner and a less imposing church.
The public library was still in use...
... but the Masonic Temple looked to have been converted to apartments.
And, as always, doors beckoned to be photographed.
Meanwhile, back at the Erie Canal Museum (remember the reason for my trip?), I discovered a world that was a step or two back in time. I was greeted at the entrance by murals depicting life from another era.
And inside were dioramas showing businesses as they would have looked in the mid-1800's.
Visitors are able to go aboard an old packet boat that was used to transport those looking for a new life via the Erie Canal. I'd hate to have had to sleep in those berths. They weren't even five feet long.
The building housing the museum - the Weighlock Building - was originally on the canal and was used to weigh canal boats as they came through the waterway. You can still see the depression at one end of the building where the canal once flowed.
We saw some beautiful views while listening to a detailed description of the history of the canal, past and present, and its significance to the state of New York, and indeed, the United States as a whole.
We saw one of the oldest churches in the state canal-side, now part of a state park with picnic area and gazebo.
Other boats were on the canal, as well, many of them fishing. Bass are supposed to be plentiful here.
Finally, Lock 18 came into view. Our first sight was of its resident barge boat.
More beautiful views...
... then we turned around and reversed the process. This time, water was allowed in to fill the lock to bring our water level up where it belonged.
All along the canal, there are walking/biking paths lining the waterway, neatly fenced and maintained. We were told these paths extend all the way to North Tonawanda, near Buffalo.
I took off for downtown Syracuse and headed for the Erie Canal Museum. But the ADD part of me (Look! Something shiny!) noticed what a cool part of town I'd landed in and decided to wander around a bit.
Unknowingly, I'd parked right behind City Hall. What an impressive stone building! Nobody's breaking in there - it's a fortress!
Just down the street a few blocks was a beautiful Episcopal church with the most peaceful planted courtyard sitting behind it.
The courtyard of the church looked out onto a plaza featuring a statue of Christopher Columbus, dedicated to all the Italians of the city. The base of the statue was surrounded by a fountain with interesting detail...
On the opposite side of the plaza sat the Courthouse. Another imposing building.
Side streets offered other buildings of interesting architecture, including an old-time diner and a less imposing church.
The public library was still in use...
... but the Masonic Temple looked to have been converted to apartments.
And, as always, doors beckoned to be photographed.
Meanwhile, back at the Erie Canal Museum (remember the reason for my trip?), I discovered a world that was a step or two back in time. I was greeted at the entrance by murals depicting life from another era.
Replicas of canal boats ranged from several feet to life-size.
Visitors are able to go aboard an old packet boat that was used to transport those looking for a new life via the Erie Canal. I'd hate to have had to sleep in those berths. They weren't even five feet long.
The building housing the museum - the Weighlock Building - was originally on the canal and was used to weigh canal boats as they came through the waterway. You can still see the depression at one end of the building where the canal once flowed.
Couldn't resist this cool birdhouse in the museum's courtyard.
After lunch at an Irish pub across the street, I headed down the New York State Thruway to the little town of Herkimer. There's not a lot here, but what there is, is an Erie Canal boat tour.
I boarded the Lil' Diamond II along with 45 or so other passengers. I thought it was funny that this boat was out of Ft. Lauderdale. Here I thought I was in New York!
We saw some beautiful views while listening to a detailed description of the history of the canal, past and present, and its significance to the state of New York, and indeed, the United States as a whole.
Other boats were on the canal, as well, many of them fishing. Bass are supposed to be plentiful here.
We waited for the lock gates to open, as it was filling back up after letting a boat through ahead of us. Note: yellow gates closed...
... and open for us to enter.
Once inside, our boat was locked into place along one wall, huge concrete "gates" enclosed us at the front and the rear, and the water level began to drop. Here, you can see the water line showing the depth of the water when we entered. It dropped 20 feet in all.
Then, the gates opened and we exited.
More beautiful views...
... then we turned around and reversed the process. This time, water was allowed in to fill the lock to bring our water level up where it belonged.
All along the canal, there are walking/biking paths lining the waterway, neatly fenced and maintained. We were told these paths extend all the way to North Tonawanda, near Buffalo.
I couldn't help think how much Larry would have enjoyed this trip. Too bad he wasn't here to accompany me on this, our 31st anniversary!
Our captain ended by relating that Heritage Tours such as this one are forecast to be a real draw in the near future, and that it is hoped that will help secure an appreciation for such things as the Erie Canal. Guess I'm just a trendsetter!
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