15 years on the Erie Canal

So it's been a lot of fun getting back out and about in Rochester this week. I continue to find places that I've never been to, and doing things that I've never done before. We decided to go on the Sam Patch Erie Canal boat ride in Pittsford. Its part of the National Heritage Corridor throughout New York State. For about an hour and a half we took a ride down the Erie Canal, heading west and entered the lock. The lock doors were slowly closed and water was piped in to raise us up over 40 feet. The water seemed to fill in quite quickly, and within 10 minutes the other end of the locked doors were opened, and we could move out. We noticed many blue heron here in this area and a lot of people walking the canal trail. It was quite an ambitious project back in the day to build this and really added to the economic impact of the area with supplies traveling throughout. I couldn't get that song about the Erie Canal out of my head, "Low Bridge, Everybody Down." and remember singing it as a child. I even got a chance to drive the Sam Patch boat, with a very forgiving captain. 

Jim and I then went on to Powers Farm Market in Pittsford. This place is quite unique and a special family-run business. It's where I painted those pumpkins for over 25 years. I took the chance that I'd see some of the members of the family. I met daughter, Sean, and Dan who run retail operations, and then son, farmer, Ned, who I knew before he was born. He's pictured here with me, now in his early forties. For god sakes, where does the time go?  I met his father-in-law inside the tee pees, and they're hard at work getting this place ready for this weekend. Ned's Mom, Betsy, was pregnant with Ned when I worked there, during my high school years. So many emotions came flooding back seeing these people, and walking the grounds. This was a wonderful group of people to work for, a very loving hard-working family, who are very special. Roger senior is the patriarch, though unfortunately, I did not get to see him this time around. 

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