“I grew up with the song, ‘I’ve got a mule … her name is Sal,’ of course. But when I moved to New York, it kind of all came together at once. I became a maritime re-enactor, got involved with the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum as well as the Mabee Farm bateau crew, bought myself a little sailboat, and used all those ways to get out on the canal.”

“I can’t begin to name a single favorite canal memory: rowing every week summer after summer between Lock 9 and the railroad bridge, rowing multiple-day trips in 18th century garb on the historic Mohawk, week-long stints aboard Lois McClure, attending yearly tugboat and steamboat festivals in Waterford, chasing on bicycle the tugboats towing barges with very large cargo, watching those boats round curves and lock through, canoeing with friends, sailing my little boat, exploring the sites of old locks along the remains of earlier canals. So many memories there are.”

“I think too few people realize that much of the canal is actually a river, or vice versa. And part of what we try to show in our re-enactments is what it was like before the canals, how people managed without it. I wish they knew more about the evolution of canal technology. The modern canal is amazing, and its life span has been fascinating.”

Many thanks, Peggy.

We’d like to hear from more folks from all over whether re-enacter, power boater, biker, hiker, or even mostly armchair traveler. Here are the three questions: How did you become interested in the Canal? What is a favorite time/place? What do you wish more folks knew about the canals?  Dispatches is looking for many more “faces and voices.” Send a photo and your brief answers to… canalsocietyofnysphotos@gmail.com.