The Erie Canal and Me

I have really been away too long. I've been dealing with so much stuff that I don't want to deal with. Right now, it's the social isolation. I would like to change that term to social deprivation because that is what it feels like to me now.

Summer has begun, but temperatures are below normal, & many days we are having rain. It's not just a whole day of rain, it's on & off all day long.

To be more positive, our association here has purchased a grader. The potholes are gone, & the towpath(road) is better than it's been in years. The end of this month when the big group of bikers ride thru, they will love it.

This week, the canal is closed from Palmyra to Newark. A barge sank at lock 29 in Palmyra about one month ago. They have been trying to raise it & finally closed & drained part of the canal. Wide waters in Port Gibson has the lowest water, I think, that they've ever seen. The water level isn't routinely lowered every winter like the rest of the canal. I may have to take a short trip to see what's going on, maybe get a good picture or two to share with you.

I've been mailing out many copies of The Rubber Tree Bomb last week & this one for my friend Katie. I hope she does well with them & helps a lot of people. That's what she wanted to do.

Sal

Canal Open

Haven't been here in a while. The weather has been so grand that I've been working hard in the yard cleaning up and doing new plantings. I'm not as fast as I was a few years ago, but it certainly doesn't stop my dreams for my yard and gardens. The pollen count must be high which would also indicate that the latex dust in the air is high. The eyes wear tearing so badly today, I had to take the benadryl which really slows me down. But I push on doing what I can.
The bird population has increased with more of them arriving for the summer. It's time to get the hummingbird feeders out before they show up and buzz us for food. The canal is full now, and the boat traffic from the locals has been heavy. One of the lockmaster cruise boats went thru yesterday. The out of state boats should be going thru any time now. It is such a welcome sight. One of the skulling teams has already been thru. They just amaze me with their concentration and coordination.
The walkers, joggers, and bikers have picked up tremendously along the towpath in the last few weeks. This is another very welcome sight. I need to brush up on how far it is to the next marina and the next lock. Occasionally I get asked that from walkers and boaters. Wow, I've become a travel agent. :)
I haven't taken time to fish yet because of heavy duty yard work, but I have been checking my bait trap. I haven't caught anything yet. That's ok. There are worms in the fridge. This is just such a glorious place to live. I am very lucky to be here where I am.
Sal