Old Erie Canal #SkywatchFriday

You may have heard of the Erie Canal in New York State.  This canal was built between 1817-1825, revolutionized transportation, and still exists today.   I've had the pleasure of visiting various spots on the Canal, which is open from May to October for recreational boating.

But did you know that there were several iterations of the canal?  The old ones still exist - sometimes overgrown, almost completely unknown, but some are being restored.

In June, I visited two such spots in the Syracuse, New York area.  One (not the one I am showing today) has been abandoned (I was told by a volunteer) by the State of New York, and depends totally on voluteers.

The other is a gem near Camillus, New York.

Welcome to  Liz and David Beebe Camillus Erie Canal Park.  This park was founded in 1972 by Elizabeth and Dr. David Beebe.  

The museum on site was closed the day we visited, but on Wednesdays and Saturdays you can also, for a small fee, take a short boat ride on the old canal and see a restored aqueduct over Nine Mile Creek.

 

Welcome.

I apologize for the size of this - it really isn't readable but you can see the aqueduct and a canal boat.

Let's look at some sky reflections, shall we?

Enough of the water here looks like this, but there were also some nice reflections.

You can see the edge of the rebuilt aqueduct.

I never did find the "Tow Rope Wear Stone Edge".

This year, for the second year, I am participating in the annual "Erie Canal Challenge".  You can walk or bicycle on the towpaths.  Or, you can kayak or motorboat on the Canal.  You report miles (and take pictures as proof) and get small gifts.  My current challenge is a 15 mile challenge and there is no time limit to complete - good thing, as I live more than an hour away from the old canal, and further from the currently used one.

Here is one of my other Erie Canal posts, this time one of the parts that is still used for boating.

Joining Yogi and other sky watchers each Friday for #SkywatchFriday.