We had a beautiful day for thirteen paddlers and one dog to paddle down the Erie Canal to and through the Lockport Locks. The Erie Canal is always a calm water paddle, with very little boat traffic in the area of Lockport; there was only one moored boat
at the marina from which we launched. Once we got near the locks we had a brief wait while a tour boat came through, and then we entered the Locks 34-35. We ascended a total of 48′ 11″ while being photographed from tourists up above us. Once through the locks we paddled under the “Big Bridge”. Built in 1914 the span is 399 feet wide and 129 feet long and it is one of the biggest bridges in the country. Following that excitement we enjoyed a gentle paddle west on the canal towards Pendleton, turning around at the Route 93 bridge for our return trip descending the locks and back to our launch site. For those that have not done this paddle, it should be on your bucket list. While not very challenging, it is very different and cool. Look for it on next year’s paddling schedule.