NBNC>SYRNY: June 26, 2014

Today is our 33rd day of our 65-day (or so) journey to upstate New York. 

We have missed the sunshine these past few days; the overcast gray clouds filled with rains dampened our spirits (and shoes). This morning the warmth of Sol greeted us and we could not waste the day so we encouraged our friend, Jean, to join us for an afternoon at the Erie Canal Boatyard Museum in Chittenango Landing.

DD Costello & Sons ca 1910

Carriage Creek ca 2014

 On the way we re-routed to North Manlius and stopped at The Carriage Creek, previously the Carriage Shop, owned by Dave's great-grandfather. Dave is named after this great-grandfather, who was a manufacturer of harnesses, wagons and sleighs in this building from 1881 until 1906. He died in 1939, after having observed his 68th wedding anniversary. It is very spiritual to walk these original floorboards that have felt to footfalls of his father when a child, his grandfather as a teenager, and his great-grandfather, as he approached his final days.
 
We continued on our way to Chittenango, passing by acres of growing corn and newly mown hay fields. We have driven past this historic site many times and decided today is the day to check it out. So glad we did. It is a humble display of life on the canal in the 19th century. Nearly 190 years ago living in Chittenago Landing was vibrant and active, where 96-foot long cargo boats were constructed and repaired.

Drydocks, which were re-discovered in 1985, have been restored and passes on the legacy of this canal community. The 524-mile canal system connects with hundreds of miles of lakes and rivers and links the Great Lakes with the Hudson River and with five waterways in Canada. A trip along the canal is a voyage into history.

As we strolled the canal landing it is not difficult to imagine the teams of mules trodding along the grassy towpaths, which are now restored for hikers and bicyclists. Other museum elements included the remains of an excavated canal boat, a sunken canal boat that would probably be more visible when the water is clear, and reconstructed woodworking and blacksmith shops and a sawmill.

We returned to the 21^st century by hopping into our Jeep and going to a nearby ice cream stand for some happiness and sunshine in a cone!