Walk the Canal Villages

WOW! Where has the year gone?  I guess we all feel that way around this time of year as we reflect on the past year and look forward to the next.  So here I go.

 2010 was a great year for Western Erie Canal Alliance and Walk the Canal Villages. The City of Lockport welcomed the Walk the Canal Villages AKA Canal Steps as a huge success.  Visitors & residents alike picked up a backpack and headed off for an “Urban Hike” along the canal banks and downtown Lockport.

 This fall the NYS Canal Corporation completed and opened a portion of the Canalway Trail that had be closed due to rock fall.  That darn Niagara Escarpment! 

 

Let’s not forget the World Canal Conference in September.  That was spectacular.  Visitors from all over the world came to see the Grand Erie Canal.  The organizers of this event did the Erie Canal justice with events ranging from a regatta along the Genesee River to the Erie Canal, world class educational programs, a formal dinner in, of all places, the original aqueduct and visits to villages and sites along the Western Erie Canal Heritage Corridor. – Great Job!

I noticed an increase in bikers using the Canalway Trail this year.  These folks stop and visit our museums, shops and enjoy a meal in the wonderful restaurants.  Be sure to say hello when you see these bikers in your village.

These are just a few of the highlights of 2010 for me. For 2011 I am going to be asking you to send me your best experiences and Canal Steps along the Western Erie Canal Heritage Corridor.

 Have a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

I’ve been so busy taking “Canal Steps” along the canal villages I haven’t had time to write about it.  It has been a fun and active summer along the Erie Canal. Then the World Canal Conference came to Rochester.  What a great time that was.  Canal enthusiasts from all over the world visited us to see the Erie Canal.  How cool is that?  The Lois McClure, a replica canal schooner, stopped at many villages on her way to Rochester and the conference.  They even had dinner in the aqueduct over the Genesee River.

 The Walk the Canal Villages project in Lockport was very successful.  Approximately 100 backpacks were sold to families visiting Lockport. Late this summer we added “Geocaching” to the program.  WOW! I had no idea what a popular hobby this is becoming.  Do you know what “Geocaching” is?  It is a treasure hunt with GPS technology.  Now being of the “black & white TV with the rabbit ears” era, these hand held GPS thingy are a challenge.  But if you are 12 to 50ish you can figure it out very quickly.  There are several “caches” already located in Lockport so there is plenty to find.  If you do not have a GPS thingy you can borrow one at the Erie Canal Discovery Center. I suggest that you check their website for hours. 

 During the off season I will be working with a couple more Erie Canal Villages developing more communities to offer the “Walk the Canal Villages” program.  You can look forward to new historical points of interest, restaurants to try, maybe a water fall to sit by and of course some great new shops to explore.  And if you are a photographer you will have amazing shots.

It doesn’t matter if you are boating, biking or walking the Erie Canal-or if you have traveled from far away or life in town there is always some Canal Steps to enjoy.    

Enjoy the Fall Colors of the Erie

What a great opportunity I had on the 4th of July to spend the day on the Erie Canal.  Peter Wiles, of Mid-Lakes Navigation hosted Marci Diehl, who worked on the Walk the Canal Villages project & set up this blog site, and Andy Hayes, a travel blogger from Ireland, for a few days on one of Mid-Lakes hire boats. They invited me to join them and a few other friends for a cruise.

I live & work the Erie Canal but don’t always get a chance to experience it as a visitor would.  Well, I had that chance on Saturday.  It was great!  I think I would like my office on the canal.  We departed from Fairport, NY and traveled west.  Whoever ordered the weather did a superb job.  I little “hot” on land but speeding along at 10 mph – at times- the breeze keep it very pleasant.

The scenery was mixed from backyards with docks and beautiful gardens on one side and bikers & hikers – runners along the towpath on the opposite side.  At times there was just nature- ducks swimming – sometimes just to get out of the way – watched for a turtle sunning it’s self but it must of been to hot – A heron stood guard at Lock 32.

We saw all size boats from kayaks & canoes to a beautiful boat with an herb garden on board.  The “Sam Patch”, a tour boat located in Pittsford, locked though with us at Lock 32 (Clover Road).  We traveled along the Irondequoit embankment.  Peter explained the need for the guard gates and how the canal sprang a “leak” and flooded the Bushnell Basin in the 1970′s.

The Mid-Lakes Navigation Company has a marina in Macedon where you can pick up your boat for a couple days or a week or more.  You receive an orientation and a driving lesson.  And then you head off for a wonderful experience on this historical voyage. 

Now you have to understand that the Erie Canal is 536 miles but I represent the Western Erie Canal Heritage Corridor – the five western counties- Wayne-Monroe-Orleans – Niagara & Erie.  So I think the western end has the best to experience.  From Clyde to Tonawanda & Buffalo.  Many of the villages have outstanding docking facilities with comfort areas including restrooms/showers – wifi-safe areas & everything you need.  You find friendly people waiting to tell you the canal tales and history of their village. You will find museums bring the wonder of the Erie Canal alive.  There are shops, amazing farm markets & wineries and always an event or two. Restaurants that specialize in local produce giving you a true culinary treat.  And all along this wonderful historical waterway trail.

I hope that you have the opportunity to experience the Grand Erie Canal.  There are so many opportunities to enjoy the canal from boating to walking & biking.  Don’t forget there is some great fishing too.

There is nothing better than seeing the Erie Canal from the “inside out”!

“Canal Steps”

The “Walk the Canal Villages” program officially opened on May 21, 2010 at the Erie Canal Discovery Center.  We had a great group of people join in to see this unique and fun canal experience come to fruition. 

 The Lockport community is very excited about their section of the Erie Canal and you can feel that in the support at the kick-off event.  When I first arrived I thought they had thrown a surprise party with a circus in the Discovery Center parking lot but that was not really the case.  Still it was fun to see all the activity.

 David Kinyon, Town of Lockport IDA and Lockport Mayor Michael Tucker, both Western Erie Canal Alliance Board of Directors members welcomed everyone to Lockport. A few of the guests were, Senator George Maziarz, who assisted in securing funding for “Walk the Canal Villages”, along with canal supporter, Assemblywoman Jane Corwin.  Tom Callahan from the Lockport Caves and photographer Dennis Stierer, both supporters along with John Percy, Niagara Tourism Conference Corporation helped launch “Walk the Canal Villages”.

 This project, developed by Bristol Creek Tourism Consulting, combines fitness, an opportunity to learn about the history of the Erie Canal & City Lockport and to meet & feel this community.  The program is family friendly and encourages both visitors and the community to take a look at this historic area from maybe a different view. Looking ahead the geocaching component will be next on the “to do list”.

 Purchase a colorful backpack that is filled with a self guided tour book, activity book with crayons, a pedometer to measure you Canal Steps, Lockport city map, merchant coupons and more. Cost is $8.50 for the complete backpack.  Items are available priced separately. 

If you are looking for a fun day or better yet a couple of days, take a “mini-vacation” in Lockport. Tour the Erie Canal Discovery Center- pick up your backpack and get acquainted with Lockport.  The next day take a cruise at Lockport Cruises – and a must visit- the Lockport Caves.  You will find that there are great restaurants for all tastes and a nice shopping area.

WOW!  Time is getting close for the inaugural launch of Walk the Canal Villages is May 21st.  Our first press release was sent out on 5/11/10 – to view it please click on Photos & News page and scroll down to Media. 

This  family fun and fitness experience has a backpack filled with goodies such as a self guided tour book, activity book w/crayons, Lockport City map, business coupons, and pedometer and more.  The backpacks can be purchased at the Erie Canal Discovery Center for $8.50.  The tour starts  at the Discovery Center www.niagarahistory.org and takes you along to the Flight of Five and Canal Museum.  

For this first year we have a detour to our walk.  “Must be what makes life interesting. ”  What made the locks here in Lockport an engineering marvel - the Niagara escarpment also has created a rock fall on the towpath.  So,  once you have toured the Flight of Five locks and the Canal Museum you will have to back track and follow the stairs back down to the towpath.  A few extra steps to add to the pedometer. 

The walk  continues along the towpath with points of interested identified along with fitness hints & tips.  You will be introduced to many historic sites , attractions and shops.  Take time to visit now or return at a later time to fully enjoy Lockport. The tour brings you back to the Erie Canal Discovery Center. 

Wish I had time to tell you more but have to get all the last-minute “things” finished for Walk the Canal Villages.   I will keep you all up to date.