The Erie Canal is a place rich in both history and natural beauty,and kayaking seems to be a perfect way to experience all of that on an intimate level. At 363 miles long, the canal is a long trip for boats of any kind, but a kayak offers the chance to live the journey a bit closer to the source. This group of kayakers spent the Independence Day week travelling the canal from Lockport to Rochester,a trip that took them to small towns along the way, like Albion and Holley....a trip full of history relevant to both state and country, and certainly not lost on these paddlers.
Hank Dewey, one of the kayakers, tells 2 The Outdoors... " We've been to some of the original 1825 locks, some are dry, there are others that have water in some of the channels, we've gotten to see some of the actual building materials that were used way back in the early 1800's,and kind of explore that,so you get a feel for what people went through."
Don Urmston is also making the trip ..." Every section of the canal is different,has a different flavor , a different character. So we walk around the towns, we spend as much time out of the boats as we do in,we paddle about 10-15 miles a day,and then we walk around the towns, so essentially we're covering the same distance as an old packet boat on the canal."
For part of the group, this leg is just one section on a much longer trek that will eventually carry them the entire length of the canal...
"We are doing it in sections" Urmston says " This year we're going from Lockport to Rochester,and when we're finished,the three of us that started four years ago will have paddled 170 miles of the canal by kayak, we're sort of doing the slow and scenic route of the canal."
As much as the travellers gain from their voyage, they give back much in return. In these stormy economic times, the towns and villages along the way are grateful for the bounty floating in from the canal...
Katelin Olson is the Program Manager for the Albion Main Street Alliance..." It's incredibly important for these villages to continue to thrive by having groups like this come through, and experience the wonderful things we have to offer,because they go off and tell their friends, too,and hopefully that encourages more tourism."
Adds Dewey " We spend a lot of money,we probably spend a few thousand dollars on a leg of the trip,you know, probably 3, 4 5 hundred on a town."
Outdoor adventurers willing to take the trip themselves need not be intimidated by the canal, the water is generally calm,and good for beginners,and the trip can be tailored to any length and experience level. In short,there's a little something for everyone along this beautiful Empire State jewel....
Urmston says " The paddling is always easy, because the water is always calm, and you can't get lost."
" It's any easy thing to do" says Dewey "It's a fun vacation,it's a fun trip,you can do as much or as little as you want,you can put in,paddle around and take it back out again and relax, it covers all bases I think."
Olson concludes " Even if you're just doing a little piece of it, it's lovely! If it's for a day trip,it doesn't have to be a long vacation,you can just take part of your weekend and really get a beautiful piece of history."