It rained from 0300 until 0900 then cleared and we started down the Erie with a mixed bag of overcast and blue skies, and water as smooth as silk. We didn’t see another boat for hours, and when we finally meet another boat, it turned out to be the only boat that we saw all day!
As we approached our first lock #35 the lock master said I could tie to what ever side I wanted. It’s a lot different than the Illinois River lock system. When the lock master came to our boat to sell us a season pass that is needed to use the canal system for more than twenty days, I inquired where he would recommend that we tie up for the night as we wanted to see the town and tour a man made underground tunnel that was hand dug in solid rock. The young man said if I was able to back out of the lock into the current of the canal we could stay next to the lock on the other side of the wall wit
h power and for free! We moved the boat to the area he offered and ended up in the center of town close to everything. We took the underground tunnel tour which turned out to be rather fascinating, and enjoyed it a great deal! The locals recommended a delightful restaurant that was as good as they said it would be! Barb and I have done nothing but walk around for two days so it’s time to relax and turn in soon. First thing tomorrow we will pass through the double lock that we entered but didn’t use today. When passing east bound you enter the first cell and they drop you 25 feet filling the other lock with the water that was drained out. Then they open a common middle gate between the two cells and I’ll move the boat to the other cell. They then close the middle gate and drop the water another 25 feet for a total of 50 feet to the canal below.
