Lockport with Ellen

After the breakfast with the family in the hotel, we drove to Williamsville to visit our friend Ellen.  We haven't seen her since 2009.  It was good to catch up on the news. I joked with her, though, that there is nothing to talk about.  She is my MOST loyal reader of this blog and knows everything about what we are doing!  If I ever say anything, she can truthfully say, "I know. I read it on your blog."  Maybe I should stop writing!  LOL!

After catching up on her news, we drove north to a little town called Lockport.  It is famous for having two back to back locks on the Erie Canal, and we wanted to ride the boat tour there because the captain in Herkimer mentioned it.

First we had a lunch at a lovely AAA recommended restaurant.  Mark and I each had Cajun blackened haddock that was just excellent.  We realized that we hardly ever see haddock on the menus in Florida. 

The boat ride was perfect.  It was windy and sunny but not too hot.  We sat on the upper deck to get the best views.  It was fascinating going into the locks and watching the water raise us up as we went toward Niagara and then turn around and be lowered down as we headed back toward Herkimer and Albany.  So much fun!  I would highly recommend riding the Erie Canal if you get up this way.

When we got back to the hotel, we had dinner at Denny's with Mark's cousins Mike and Judy.  This morning we are going to meet them in the hotel breakfast room one more time before driving south to Weston, WV to visit my stepmother, Jackie.  We will have dinner with her tonight and sleep over at her house.  Before driving back to Baltimore, I will be able to visit my Dad's grave in Weston.  One more night at Cindy's and then we are going on the autotrain.  Thursday afternoon we will be home.

Enjoy some pictures from the Canal boat tour yesterday.

Approaching lock 34

The captain said there was a 40 foot wall of water behind those gates.

The gate behind us closes and then we will be raised up over 20 feet.

Looking back at the water level after we had raised up through the lock.

Widest single span bridge in the country.  "Low bridge, everybody down."

Beautiful day for a boat ride.

Returning through locks 34 and 35.  This is the only place on the canal that has two locks back to back.  It's because it's the biggest change in elevation on the route, 49 feet.