You all know about the Erie Canal, right? Clinton's Big Ditch, the greatest improvement to American shipping of its time, blahblahblah? Even I learned about the Erie Canal, even though I got my book larnin' in Hawaii, Alaska, and Arizona. The Erie Canal is a part of American history, and even more, it's a part of New York State history.
It is also still very much the way it was when it was built. The locks that allow the boats through are still there, with all the original equipment and mechanisms, built to last hundreds of years. Visiting the locks is a fond memory for A. His dad used to take him and his brother to fish at the nearest lock with some frequency.
There are a few locks within an hour of our house. When we passed one on the way to the wildlife festival we went to a couple of weeks ago, A. just had to stop and let Cubby have his very first Erie Canal encounter.
I'm afraid he was mostly unimpressed with the historical significance of the site, instead preferring to stand on his head . . .
And play with the stagnant water in this hole . . .
There were some old guys fishing--because there are ALWAYS old guys fishing at the locks--and one of them caught a fish and gave Cubby an up-close look at it. Cubby enjoyed that.
Give him a little more time, and he'll be making his own memories with his dad on the Erie Canal.
OH! This one brought back memories!!! Twice I rode my bike across NYS (with an outdoor adventure company) and we walked our bikes across this same lock! Most of the trip was along the canal and you develop a great appreciation for it, from a historical perspective as well as a wonderful recreational resource. The Canal path (at least the last I am aware) in Western NY runs from Lockport (near Buffalo), through Rochester and over to Lyons, NY. And to think when it was first proposed, people thought it was a totally wasteful undertaking! Folks, if you live near it, get out and enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteHistory in the making....such good pictures.....thanks. Beth
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ready to use for baking, chocolate
A dad and his lad....they'll be out fishing before you know it.
ReplyDeleteSuch a nice way to share a bit of history and to show how it continues through new generations.
ReplyDeleteThose photos of A. and Cubby are just the cutest.
ReplyDeleteLove the headstand. Does he somersault, too?
ReplyDeleteYou may not want to contemplate this for Cubby's future, but my memory of the lock involves fishing with a buddy and a six-pack or two!
ReplyDeleteIf I ever have a mule, its name will definitely have to be Sal...
ReplyDeleteBecky H