Pictures From the Trip October 3, 2001 Last Cruising Update - Summary October 1, 2001 Cruising Update - From Annapolis September 26, 2001 Home Strech September 19, 2001 Last Of The Erie Canal September 15, 2001 Back on the Eastern Erie Canal September 12, 2001 Finishing the Western Erie Canal September 10, 2001 Lockport to Fairport September 7, 2001 Western Frontier of the Erie Canal September 6, 2001 Back in the Canal System September 4, 2001 Leaving The Great Lakes September 1, 2001 In our 7th State August 29, 2001 Ohio Has Libraries August 27, 2001 Vermilion, Ohio August 26, 2001 Fox Haven Marina August 22, 2001 In Put-in-Bay August 17, 2001 The End Of Lake Huron August 15, 2001 Down Lake Huron August 13, 2001 North Channel and Lake Huron August 3, 2001 Gore Bay August 1, 2001 Keel-Haulings July 31, 2001 Rocks Everywhere July 28, 2001 On To The North Channel July 17, 2001 Wouldn't Change A Thing July 13, 2001 Speed Limit July 9, 2001 Thousands of Islands July 5, 2001 Out Of New York July 3, 2001 Typical Day July 2, 2001 Cold Mornings July 1, 2001 Phoenix NY And Beyond June 26, 2001 Through The First Lock June 25, 2001 Up Around Manhattan June 15, 2001 Daily Routine June 12, 2001 Strolling The Vineyards June 11, 2001 Sag Harbor June 9, 2001 Block Island & Beer Can Music June 5, 2001 Lessons Learned June 1, 2001 The Tides Increasing May 25, 2001 Up The Coast Of New Jersy May 21, 2001 Getting To Know The Cruisers May 17, 2001 And So It Begins!

 September 6, 2001 

We have been having even more fun than usual over the last several days. I think at heart we are canal people.

Yesterday (Wednesday) we stayed another day in Tonawanda ... for two reasons. The first reason was that Terri at BoatU.S. wanted to FedEx us a a digital camera. You will now be able to see some of our travels via pictures via. We will try to send one or two with each cruising update.

The second reason is that we took a bus to Niagara Falls ($1.45/person one way)! And had a great time. We even went through the Winds of the Cave (i.e. putting on long yellow slickers and little booties made of carpet and walking along a path at the base of the American Falls). The 5th platform of the walk is called the Hurricane Platform. The waterfalls are close enough to touch, it is moving up to 70 MPH, and the winds and spray are terrific - - yes, we got wet, even with the yellow slickers. And of course Brian had to go back and stand on the platform a second time - - even his shorts were wet in the end (although I'm not sure if it was from the water or if he was scared ... oh, never mind)!

We really liked Tonawanda. The town had everything a cruiser might need and the town wall in Tonawanda is only $10/night to include electric, water, showers, and heads (vs. North Tonawanda - - I don't know what it charges). We would also recommend the Towpath Cafe to visitors (although we told the owner that we thought more boaters would stop in if it was called a tavern - - which it really is). Great wings, perch, and patrons. It was so good, we were there both nights!

This morning we got fuel at Wendle's (for the boaters, diesel was $1.63/gallon - - the cheapest we've seen in a while) and then went a whole 18 miles to Lockport. Once again, we basically have the canal to ourselves - - we only passed one boat during the 2 1/2 hour trip this morning. Lockport is one of the larger towns we've seen on the canal thus far but seems well maintained and pretty ... it even has a Pizza Hut! (I can see we are going to be over our eating out budget this month!) We plan to hang out here tonight and then head to Medina tomorrow ... if we can keep motivated ...

We're off to explore the town and take some more pictures ... and to work up an appetite for pizza.

Cruising on. Jeri and Brian