Erie Canal Day 7

44 miles today / 288 miles total

We had a marvelous night of rest at Green Lake State Park. It was a super busy campground, but we had earplugs and sheer exhaustion on our side!

The best part of the trip is always the people you meet.

We enjoyed spending time with the father-son bikers who shared their camp spot with us. The dad, Ken, is an art professor in Utica. The son, Jon, is a graphic designer in Baltimore. The best part of the journey is the people you meet!

After saying our goodbyes, we took a stroll around the smaller of the Green Lakes.

With the reflection, it’s difficult to convey just how blue this lake is.

Here’s a pic from the shadows that shows the blue a bit better.

We hit the trail at 11 (back to our usual slow start). Today was another day on a gorgeous trail, passing through small towns.

The town of Canestota was holding their 50th Annual Kids Fishing Contest.

There were kids with barbed lures EVERYWHERE!

We stopped to watch and enjoy a sausage hoagie (taking a break from spam today)

Today’s trail led us back to the current day canal, where we were able to watch some fun mechanical things!

We learned today that the Erie Canal started in the center of the state in 1817 for political and geographical reasons. Towns were eager to see it’s completion on both ends, and it’s relatively flat - so no locks in either direction for many miles.

We made it to Rome NY and with a chance of rain and some beer in our bellies, we decided to stay at a Hampton Inn instead of a camping.

Sour stouts at Copper City Brewery sealed the deal.

On our way to the hotel, we took a detour to Fort Stanwix, where Colonial forces repelled the British in the 1770’s.

The National Parks Service has recreated the fort as it was during the siege in 1777.

Rome has an Aldi, so we plan to restock on snacks and breakfasts for 2 more days of camping before we reach Albany.

BTW, yesterday’s post now has photos! Visit the post HERE.

Good night friends!