Saturday, November 1, 2014

CRUISE ON THE ERIE CANAL - PART 1

The first pictures shows our ship the Colonial Belle,  Next picture shows most of us that went on it from our group.  There were a lot more people there that also went on the ship with us.  Next picture is where the coffee was served from and the bar was on the other side.  We just had snacks on this cruise, but they do have cruises with dinners on them.  The group before us had a dinner cruise. Some of the pictures I took from the inside and some I went up on deck to take pictures. Pictures also show some of the houses built along the Erie Canal.  One of the many bridges we went under is picture twelve and what it looks like underneath one of the bridges is picture thirteen.  Beautiful fall leaves along the way on our cruise.  The last picture shows that we weren't the only ones on the Erie Canal that day.

The story of the Colonial Belle and how she arrived in Fairport, New York is kind of interesting and funny.  She was made, I can't remember, if he said Boston or New York and was used in New York City by the Statue of Liberty for a while.  Then she was sold to go on the Great Lakes.  She went several other places and ended up near Alcatraz Prison in California.

Fairport was looking for a ship when they decided they would have cruises on the Erie Canal.  They looked all over several ships and prices before deciding on the now Colonial Belle.  What stopped them was the people that owned her said it would cost $100,000.00 to ship her from California to Fairport, New York.  Our Captain had attended the meeting where the decision was made not to purchase it due to the shipping cost.  He and a couple of friends stopped at the local pub to have a drink after the meeting.  They got talking.  One thing led to another and they decided why ship it.  Why not go and drive it to Fairport.  That wouldn't cost no $100,000.  So they brought it up at the next meeting.  One thing led to another, the ship was purchased.  The captain and three other marine trained men flew to California and drove it back.  He said it was the time of their lives.  They went down the California and Mexico coast, stopping here and there to see places they knew they would never see again.  Through the Panama Canal.  Up the inlet coast waterway to the Hudson River.  Took the Hudson to the Erie Canal and drove into Fairport which is still her home port today.  He said he and the fellows had a ball and it didn't cost any where near $100,000.00.

14 comments:

Vanssmomc said...

Wow Marilyn, what a wonderful trip those men had. Had never heard this story about how the Colonial Belle made it to Fairport, I guess I just assumed it was from this area. Thanks for sharing, Cathy in Webster.

Vickie said...

What a very interesting story! Great pictures Marilyn.

New York State Of Mind said...

Good Morning Cathy,
When he was telling us, he had us roaring with laughter. The men had a fantastic time.

Marilyn

New York State Of Mind said...

Good Morning Vickie,
It was an interesting story and a funny one, too. Glad you like the pictures.

Hugs to Mabel and Henry,
Marilyn and Pierre

Tom said...

The history of the Colonial Belle's comings and goings sure was interesting. Tom The Backroads Traveller

New York State Of Mind said...

Thank you, Tom. The captain's pun was, the Colonial Bell, sure got around.

Marilyn

Countryside Reflections said...

What a great story and pictures. I'm looking forward to taking a ride on the Erie Canal next summer.

Doreen

New York State Of Mind said...

Good Morning Doreen,
Now you will know a little history about the Colonial Belle. It was a great day. You will have a great time on the Erie.

Marilyn

Anonymous said...

Neat back story about the ship! Thanks for sharing! I so enjoy the history of persons,places, and things. Blessings, Carol

Willow's Quiet Corner said...

That's a great story, Marilyn! Lovely pictures! How long does the cruise last and how far does it go? Is it a round trip kind of thing?

New York State Of Mind said...

Hi Carol,
Glad you liked the history. It is very interesting.

Marilyn

New York State Of Mind said...

Hi Carol,
Glad you liked the history. It is very interesting.

Marilyn

New York State Of Mind said...

Hi Willow's Quiet Corner,
So glad you liked the story and pictures. The cruise lasts two hours. Cruise goes two ways at different times. The one I was on went from Fairport to the other side of Rochester a little way and back. There are cruises that go in the opposite direction from Fairport toward Palmyra and back. They are around trip cruises. There is a place in Macedon that will rent you a boat that you can cruise as far as you want either way or both ways up and down the Erie. I think they rent it by the weekend and week. It' a cruiser boat where you can eat, sleep, etc. That's a whole different deal and a lot more expensive. A friend of mine and her husband went on the cruiser and said that was worth every penny, too.

Marilyn

New York State Of Mind said...

I just got back from the West Walworth Fire House where the West Walworth Methodist Church was having their annual turkey dinner. It is fantastic. I went with my best friend and her husband. You get a complete meal as much as you want to eat, including desert for $12.00. They increased in this year. We have been going every year for years. We had a delicious meal, sat next to great people and had a great time.

Marilyn