Sept 10, 2024 Heading Back East Tonawanda to Gasport

Tuesday Sept 10, 2024  Tonawanda to Gasport  26 miles and 5.25 hours

After a couple of cool, cloudy and occasionally rainy days it was nice to get back to sunshine and 70's.  Leaving the wall in Tonawanda we headed west for the last small section of the Erie Canal taking us out onto the Niagra River.  Dipped the keel there to complete the entire western side of the canal.  Then turned back around with intentions to make it to Gasport for the evening.   We'll try to stop at several of the towns we missed.

Wide open waters of the Niagra River

Screen shot from Nebo app showing us out of the Erie canal.

Lockport was the halfway point on today's trip.  Just like going west we hit the locks AGAIN when the tour boat was coming through. This time another boat Seas the Dream was also waiting to go eastbound.  Same process as last time.  We entered the top lock and waited for the tour boat to get to the lower lock.  Then raise them halfway and us down halfway.  Pass each other at the midpoint and then finally drop us through the second lock.   Decided since we had some extra time to tie up at the lower park wall and explore the old Flight of 5 original locks and the museum.  Pretty interesting that the original canal, the expanded canal and the final canal locks have always been at this location.  That was a result of the Niagra Escarpment - the same rock formation that extends to Niagra Falls and beyond creating a steep cliff like drop-off due to uneven rock erosion.

The flight of 5 "expanded" locks dating back to 1862

Locks were all constructed from cut stone.
Recreated to original specs and operational wooden doors

Floors of the lower chambers are ancient hardwoods that require constant water flow.
This prevents exposure to air that would cause them to rot and deteriorate 

Then on to Gasport where Seas the Dream was already tied up.. Small town with a short wall with power beside a park.  Quiet and peaceful. Martha had done some research and discovered the laundromat was in a building right beside the canal and had very good reviews.  We were well overdue for laundry day so no way she would let me bypass the town.  I had seen reviews talking about an old-fashioned hardware store in town.  Unfortunately, it had closed down and was replaced by a lumber yard. Only other businesses in town were 2 restaurants.  We opted for The Canalside Inn - Beef and Beer and some pretty good sandwiches for dinner.   Not the most interesting stop on our trip but served its purpose.  

Old steel canal workboat on display at Lockport

Journey for Sept. 10, 2024