Contemplating.

Contemplating.
Wayzata, Minnesota

Monday, March 21, 2011

Thematic Photographic # 138 Transitions

What goes up must come down, over and over again!  Boats pass through with the changing water level.  Certainly the most major transition for the Erie Canal was from the historic towpath canal to the modern barge canal.
                                                        Lockport, NY

      Here we are with another Thematic Photographic (theme selected by Titanium, from Element 22 blog) and her fascinating choice for this week's theme is....... "transitions" this is going to be incredible I know!

Already my first choices have been used!  So, not wanting to post the same photos again.....Oh no!  I was stumped....but only for a short while.    If you feel the urge to participate as well go here
http://writteninc.blogspot.com/2011/03/thematic-photographic-138-transition.html

Behind the building pictured is another smaller building that houses a small canal museum.


The Erie Canal


The rising and lowering – moving the water – to boat, sail or barge from one point to another.


       The Erie Canal is famous in a song as well as a story. It was proposed in 1808 and completed in 1825 and the canal links the waters of Lake Erie in the west to the Hudson River in the east. It was called the Eight Wonder of the World ......for being an engineering marvel after completion.

In the early days it was called “Clinton’s Big Ditch” after (Governor Dewitt Clinton) before all the kinks were worked out.

If you’ve never heard “The Erie Canal” song before here’s a link to Suzanne Vega’s version (among so many other artists) and check out the daisies on the video!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CT78NL34k0c

From Troy, Ohio the canal would flow to Rome (New York) and then through Syracuse and Rochester to Buffalo, located on the northeast coast of Lake Erie.

12 comments:

Alexia said...

ohhh very clever post on this theme - well done! and such great photos. Really interesting to read about too!

darlin said...

What wonderful photos, they make me really, really miss nice weather! lol Have a great day!

Bob Scotney said...

great, clear photos that have intriguing detail when enlarged. We only have one lock on the Tees and I've never seen a boat use it.

sage said...

Neat photos and a great song that I haven't heard. The canal changed Western NY, but was quickly overshadowed by the railroads. In the first half of the nineteenth century, canals were a big thing all over the nation.

Galen Pearl said...

When I was growing up, we went boating on the Tennessee River. I remember going through the locks by the dam. It was slow, but so fascinating to watch the water go up or down. Nice memory--thanks! And great photos!

Anonymous said...

This series of shots is transition at its finest! Thanks for sharing a part of the world that I've never seen- and narrating the story behind the photos.

Max Sartin said...

Great pictures, love the canal theme!

A Paperback Writer said...

Oh, memories! No, I've never seen the canal in person, but I remember that song! We used to sing it over and over when I was in 5th grade! Of course, I don't think I've heard it since then, so thanks for the nostalgia.

21 Wits said...

Thanks everyone, and like Bob said by clicking on them for a larger view really shows the water rising to allow the tourist to sail on through. You can also see the little museum better in the 2nd photo!

Writer Yes! ..and I hope they keep teaching this in American schools any way...but I fear some of those great things are becoming less talked about...sadly....

Darlin and if only the weather could be more like this again quickly! Looks like your weather is much like ours. ;(

There is also a very special/noteable bridge at this lock too!

21 Wits said...

Sage, not so sure that their importance is really taught so much any more....not even with the famous song they used to play during school!

knot eye said...

I Love these...I have been working on the water for over 30 years and the ebb and flow are as relative as the sun and moon...great shots

Peace, hp


Karen I have been meaning to thank you for your time spent on my words...I truly appreciate your kind words

Peace, hp

Anonymous said...

I know of that bridge, it's like the widest bridge; at Lockport it is home to the widest bridge (399' wide x 129' length) in North America which spans the canal to the southwest of the locks.
This rocks!