Herkimer & Perkins: Building Backyard Boats in Buffalo, NY

Messing About in Boats, Boots, and Byways:

Archive of Erie Canal Journal entries for 2003: 15 June 03

One of our favorite destinations is the Erie Canal, which originally began in downtown Buffalo, and later when the canal was widened and renamed the Erie Canal Barge Canal, the canal began, and still begins, at North Tonawanda on the Niagara River where Tonawanda Creek empties into the river.

We have biked in five-mile bites from Lockport to Brockport, and we've rowed a time or two, too.

Erie Canal Journal entries for 2003 -- listed by headings with links to files
Erie Canal Journal entries for 2003 -- posted in one file

Erie Canal Journal entries for 2002 -- listed by headings with links to files
Erie Canal Journal entries for 2002 -- posted in one file

GPS says 1.4, 2.5 ... 3.5 wide open

15 May 03: We went up to the Erie Canal at the Middleport launch ramp for our monthly check on the canal. It also was the first time that we took the Harmonica out this year.

The Reverend, using her new GPS wristwatch, reported that the Harmonica topped out at 1.4 mph going against the current, 2.5 going with the current on setting 4 (out of 5), and 3.5 wide open (a practice that would drain the battery in about 45 minutes).

The thing that was different about the canal this time was the presence of cottonwood tree fluff -- so much that the water was two-toned. We also came upon a gaggle of geese, with two drakes and a bunch of juvenile females.

We received the usual shouted compliments from folk on the banks in their backyards; I often wonder if that will ever become tiresome. Somehow I doubt that it will, because it is sharply pleasant to be a blessing.

I neglected to post the pix from our check-in of the canal last month. They are here, finally.

The Reverend checks our speed on the GPS.
Middleport Guard Gate from the Harmonica.
Cottonwood tree fluff flocks the canal surface.
The wildflowers were out. These are some sort of daisy.
We came upon a flock of geese, with two drakes and a gaggle of juvenile females. When they saw us, they formed a single file and moved slowly in the other direction.
More cottonwood fluff.
Big piece of driftwood has what appears to be a shark fin attached.
These were yellow iris, escapes from someone's yard.
These quail-like birds were doing a mating dance on the bank.
On the return leg of the trip, we encountered the geese again. This guy hissed at us.
Lovely ladies head for safety.
The shadows were deepening as we went back under the Guard Gate.
Another fine day on the water.