Nice sleeping in Middleport last night except for the fire siren that went of at 9:30pm and three groups of teenagers who ran through the camp around midnight . . .

. . . these structures we have been seeing are temporary dams that allow engineers to drain parts of the canal for maintenance. When it was first constructed it was only  four feet deep. Through the years, the depth was deepened to eight feet and then twelve. Sounds like it is a constant chore to keep the silt from building up in certain areas!!!

It wasn’t long before I met the Weaver’s, from Helena, MT.  Some flew and some drove to Lockport and they are heading east on the Canal Trail and moteling it. Nice . . . lighter loads, and no sleeping on the ground!!!

Corvin and I came upon this unusual situation where the Erie Canal was actually running over the top of river that had a nice waterfalls right where the two meet. Here he is checking for the key to his lock that he thought he had lost. He rode four miles back to camp to look for it but couldn’t find it. Ends up it was right in the last place he put it . . . his back jersey pocket!!!!

. . . the water was REALLY flowing  . . . a  mini Niagara Falls!!!!

Lot more boats on the canal today . . . here was ‘Tommy the Tug’, who thinks he can  . . . who thinks he can!!!!

. . . the beauty of the canal was marred by this prison on the other side of the river. Not sure where I have ever seen more barbed wire!!!

Next town down the canal was Albion, which had a nice bike shop advertising ice cream and cold drinks . . . but it was CLOSED!!!!

I did meet Matt and Jim from Brooklyn, NY. They were heading west on the trail, having stayed near Rochester last night. Fun guys . . . having a fun time for a few days!!!

Around the next corner was Holley, which had a nice canal front camping area, with electric  . . . just like we had in Middleport. Jason, who camped with us last night there, was thinking of staying here tonight.

The community sponsored a large apple sculpture celebrating the apple business and growers in the area . . .

. . . and we did see many apple orchards today but they could not rival the number we saw early on, in Washington State.

Just outside of Holley I met Boy Scout Troop Leader Laurie and some of her Eagle Scout candidates from Pack 375, sponsored by the Brockport Elks Club. They are all  working on getting their bicycling merit badge. Along for the ride were Alex, Corac, Sam and Casey, along with another chaperone, Mandy.  Laurie started with 11 bicycling badge candidates but lost four when they learned they could earn a similar badge by swimming!!!!

Comments sections seems to have stopped working, but here is a comment from Tammy, “My son was part of the boy scout troop that you met this weekend. My son could not stop talking about how cool your trip was and how interesting it was to meet you. Thank you for taking the time out to encourage this group of young men and the adult leaders that accompanied them”

. . .and my reply, “Hi Tammy, It was great to meet Laurie and the boys along the trail. Who knows, your son’s merit badge may plant the seed for future bicycle trips. It’s a GREAT way to see the USA at 12 mph! Safety first though . . . be sure he always wears a helmet!!!!”

Some of the draw bridges we are biking by are fancier than others. This one, along with it’s tower, was in good shape. The towers are manned by gate keepers during the  day. Not sure who controls the bridges at night????

. . .  there are newer bridges constructed along the way that are tall enough they do not need to open to allow boats to pass under. They don’t really have the same charm though as the drawbridges . . .

Soon I met Kelsey and Zoot. Zoot loves to go out into the kayak for rides and runs around in circles when Kelsey gets out the tiny doggy life jacket . . . boating time!!!

I stopped in Brockport, pop. 8,366 and a college town.  A lot going on with many murals, around town, painted on old brick buildings. Nice.

. . . there were also some Canal Commission work boats docked there for the weekend. This one looked like floating ‘motel’ for workers who were out on the job for several days . . .

At this point I had had enough of trail riding (did I mention I don’t like riding on trails) and headed out on Hwy 31, that parallel the Erie Canal., for the final 20 miles into Rochester . . .

. . . where I rejoined the trail for the last four miles to our motel. This was one of the better sections of canal as it wound it’s way through the city.

Rochester has a GREAT city trail system including many bridges with scenic views. Lots of kayakers out today . . .

We were supposed to camp at a school tonight in Pittsford, about 15 more miles down the trail but it didn’t work out. Ends up the woman Allison was dealing with regarding the arrangements really didn’t have the last word on the deal . . . which was NO!!!! So we are staying at a Country Inn and Suites in Rochester . . .

. . . Corvin and I are sharing a room . . .

. . . and yes, there is room for Connie too. No stable for her tonight!!!