Riding down the Erie Canal.

The Erie Canal and the locks were a focus for us today.   We started out at the Cave to the canal.  Art and Chris took that tour on their own.  By now you have figured out I don't do caves, underground, high places, roller coasters, among a few phobias.   Wouldn't a shrink have a great time inside my head!   The cave tour included a walk along the locks and a boat ride into the cave.  They enjoyed the tour, the humor of the guide, and the information they were given.

After lunch we took a boat tour of the locks.  We got on an open boat and headed into the three locks.  It is an amazing feat of engineering.  The boat is secured to the side of the lock, the gates closed and water is either emptied or pumped into the lock.  It goes very fast - five to seven minutes to raise or lower the boat at least 25 feet.  The canal was all hand formed over 100 years ago.

I haven't mentioned how much fun we are having at our hotel.   The first night in our room, there was a constant banging from the AC unit.  I called for maintenance in the morning and we were told they would take the unit apart and fix the issue while we were at the Falls.   When we returned, we had no AC.  We called and was told they needed to replace the unit - they would move us to another room.  That was day one and two.  Evening two, in the new room, there was a knocking noise from the other side of the closet wall.  We called the front desk at 2am and they wanted to send security up to the floor.  Huh?   Nothing was accomplished with that call, so armed with no sleep, I hit the front desk first thing in the morning.   The manager on duty assured me they would take care of the problem.  Turns out our room backed up to the service elevator.   Not good!   After several conversations, we moved for the third time in three days.   I am not unpacking this time.   Hopefully, we will get a better nights sleep this evening.  This is supposed to be the relaxing part of our trip.

Tomorrow Art heads back to Florida.  His flight in was delayed over two hours coming north.  We sure hope he gets out on time tomorrow.   Chris and I head for New York City after we drop Art at the airport.  Wednesday we plan on visiting with our dear cousins in the city for a short time before getting back on the road.   Thanks for following our adventures.