Day 3: Brockport to Fairport

39.3 mi 

Sunny clear day made riding a very enjoyable experience.  Other than a few puddles the trail is pristine.  David noticed how there is none of the typical litter that we usually see.

Staying in a "budget" motel reminiscent of the Southern Tier Ride JoAnn did in 2010 with WomanTours.   Sketchy carpet, skimpy, bathroom but seems to be clean.

Highlight of the evening was dinner with a couple of WomanTours friends from 2010 & 2013,  Alayne and Donna.  Seems like yesterday.  

We learned that the canal opened in 1825 was 40 feet wide and 4 feet deep then wider and 8 feet deep and finally 93 years later, the sides were squared off at 94 feet wide and 12 feet deep to allow barge travel and for about 50 years was called the Barge Canal before taking an original name back - Erie Canal.

We saw a lock operate to allow a 40 foot boat lower, as the huge amount of water in the lock—26 by 40 by 200 feet drained in less than 15 minutes.

As we pedal east, the Canal, mostly on our right, is cut through farm land, orchards, solid rock, bridged over rivers, crossing rivers at river level with complex gates and shunts just to keep the canal level.

We always get a good night sleep because we are so exhausted.

David & JoAnn