There's no better way to understand a canal lock than to ride a boat through one! Following a "school" morning, we had a two-hour ride up and back down locks 34 and 35 on the Erie Canal in Lockport. The two locks lower vessels an amazing 50 feet from the Lake Erie side to the Albany side. Construction on this engineering marvel began in 1817. It took years to cut through layers of limestone, flint and shale, and the drill marks are visible in many spots. We learned that both the star drill bit and the wheel barrow were invented during the construction of the Erie Canal.
Perhaps the high point of the trip for the girls was not at the top level of the locks, but when we were nearing the end of the trip and "Captain Bob" invited each of them to steer the boat. He's a grandpa who loves kids...a very obvious trait.
We attempted to visit the Eastman Mansion (home of Kodak founder George Eastman) in Rochester, but it was closed for a private gathering. We toured the beautiful gardens and then wandered our way south to the camper and a delicious dinner outdoors. We'll enjoy a campfire tonight, and any faces that become covered in roasted marshmallow will be washed clean tomorrow in the spray of Niagara Falls.
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| The original locks are on the right...a rise of five that are now used as spillways. The two locks on the left replaced them for the 50-foot rise. |
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| Gates closing behind us in the first lock. Notice the dark line on the walls...the level to which the water rises. The second lock is nearly identical. Each takes about 10 minutes. |
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| Going up! |
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| Kelsey in the power seat, Captain Bob beside her. |
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| The Eastman House and some of its many gardens |
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