From Dave and JoAnn: “We were hooked in 1972, when I took a teaching position in Clyde and found an apartment only two blocks from the Erie Canal. More tugs and barges then operated on the waterway. Taking a three-day cruise in the early 80’s from Buffalo to Syracuse with Skipper Wiles aboard Emita II convinced us that seeing the Canal from a boat was even better than seeing it from land”

“Favorite time/place . . . difficult to narrow down, but . . . cruising from our dock in the Finger Lakes last summer to dock in Buffalo and take part in the 200^th anniversary of the voyage of the Seneca Chief was outstanding”

“I’ve always hoped more people would get hooked and use this incredible system more. A wise man said our canals suffer from lunatic neglect, and I could’t state it better. We’ve rented expensive canal boats in Britain, France, Ontario, and Quebec to enjoy their crowded waterways. On the NYS Canals, I’ve spent many a long day on our canals when I’ve not seen another boat or canoe or kayak, a fisherman, a photographer or picnicker.

Is what we have taken for granted ? Thank heaven for the Canal Society, the Canal Corporation, the excursion vessels and canalboat rental outfits like Erie Canal Adventures in Macedon. They really help keep the western Erie alive.”

Thank you, Dave and JoAnn. And if you operate and want to hat tip an excursion vessel, leave a comment below.