Saturday, August 19, 2023
Day 78
Niagara Falls, New York to Lockport, New York
Miles: 67.75 – Total accent: 1,385 – Hours: 6 hours, 2 minutes
Totals:. Miles- 3,992.76 – Accent- 120,989
335 hrs 42 minutes in the saddle
A short ride this morning under beautiful, clear skies and temps between 60-70 degrees and we were in Niagara Falls State Park.
The falls are breathtaking! One is able to view from several locations. To think how much water flows and how long this has been occurring is truly mind boggling. Being a Saturday, the park was very crowded. The people watching was over the top.
Afterwards, we headed to Lockport. Once again, corn fields were on both sides of the road. We also saw an old apple tree at Smith’s Orchard and Cider Mill. It was BEAUTIFUL!!The tailwind was an added bonus!!
Arriving in Lockport, we rode along the Erie Canal to Locks 34 & 35. The history of the canal is so interesting!!
It was a short day on the bike…more like a day off!! Dinner was leftovers from the night before. I’ve learned if I fill my water bag with ice and put it in the frame bag, I have a ‘refrigerator’ until we get to our next destination. And icy cold water to drink as it slowly melts. Bonus!!
Lockport
A National Treasure Built between 1817 and 1825, the original Erie Canal traversed 363 miles from Albany to Buffalo. It was the longest artificial waterway and the greatest public works project in North America. The canal put New York on the map as the Empire State—the leader in population, industry, and economic strength. It transformed New York City into the nation's principal seaport and opened the interior of North America to settlement. Equally important, the Erie Canal became a central element forging our national identity. Built with a combination of vision, determination, ingenuity, and hard work, the Erie Canal solidified these central elements of our American character.