The View from My Saddle: Sept. 2010
 

It’s been a long while since I’ve ventured out into the world for a recreational ride, over six weeks I believe. Well, the last couple of days I was able to rectify that situation and now you’re all going to have to suffer through some more pictures.

Much like these Sail Boats from Ontario Canada that you see here motoring into the tomb like isolation of Lock #32 on the Erie Canal, I felt isolated from the world while being off of my bike for so long.

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r...G_3680A580.jpg

Sure I was sheltered from all the nasty weather, just like those boats behind the lock gate are isolated from the tumultuousness of the water level change…..

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r...G_3684A580.jpg

….necessary to allow the Lock Gate to open allowing them to continue their journey.

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r...G_3688A580.jpg

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r...G_3691A580.jpg

What I missed by not being out on my bikes was the waning of the Summer season. Yes I know, it still looks like Summer out there, but if you look closely you’ll notice a few leaves have already started to turn and drop.

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r...G_3677A580.jpg

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r...G_3678A580.jpg

The Lifeguard stations are gone as are the swimmers, boaters, and sunbathers.

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r...G_3700A580.jpg

The volleyball nets and teams are gone. The throngs off people have abandoned the boardwalk and in their place I see a lone treasure hunter with his trusty metal detector, two lovers in a gazebo, and a young mother with her toddler playing in the sand.

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r...G_3702A580.jpg

The high school crew teams are out training for their Autumn races.

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r...G_3697A580.jpg

The canal tour boats look forelorn and forgotten on the empty Pittsford Landing.

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r...G_3694A580.jpg

Lake Ontario is revving up for it’s Winter fury.

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r...G_0941SX20.jpg

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r...G_0947SX20.jpg

So as the sun sets on another Season….

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r...G_0919SX20.jpg

…we can all wish the Summer of 2010 a Good Night!

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r...G_0139SX20.jpg

Just be sure to enjoy the Autumn before we have to deal with this again!!

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r...G_0005A580.jpg

:D:D:D

Thanks for the great pics. But but but, summer ain't over yet. Not for another week. Don't rush it.

Nice photo essay. Yes that liquid snow will soon revert to its' normal state and the +28F we had a night ago will seem warm. As you say, enjoy while we can.

Great photo essay - thanks

Great stuff. The shorter daylight hours are really starting to be noticeable now.

Brings back memories of when I lived in Rochester and used to ride along the canal.

You are such a great photographer!

Self-taught? Ever done professional work?

Thanks for the report. I have decided to skip winter in Denver, and go straight from fall to spring.

Aww Gee Wiz. Thanks all.

I'm just a hack with a digital Canon . The camera tells me what to do and I just push down on the shiney silver button. I take many, many pics...and if it's been a lucky day I end up with a few usable images.

My wife is the one with the natural artistic talents in this house. I learned a lot of basics about good photo composition from looking at her camera work.

Oh Dnvr., good luck with that winter skipping plan. :D

Nice photos. It was almost like being there. Thanks

Pat

Great stuff Lenny, thanks

Nice photos Lenny. What model Canon Camera do you use?

That empty sand sure looks inviting. Great pictures, I enjoy your travels via your posts, thanks.

I started out with a Canon A540, and then picked up a Canon A580 as a backup camera. With two graduations rapidly approaching I needed more zoom and better stability so I splurged and bought a Canon SX20. I get 80X digital zoom and great stability...the moon shot in this thread was taken with the SX20, hand held!

Fantastic photos ! Just got an A588 digital , trying to learn digital, was used to the old style SLR.

Thanks for the camera info. The shots are great and the hand held shot of the moon is sharp!

Lenny,

Really enjoyed your photos. Thanks for posting.

We used to live in Rochester and enjoyed sailing on Lake Ontario and cycling once in a while on the canal path. Your pictures brought back happy memories.

Lenny,
I really enjoy your "views from my saddle" reports and find your commentary as well done as your beautiful photos. I have a question. I have always been intrigued by those canal boats. I became familiar with them years ago from a magazine then called "In Britain" and then actually saw them when I visited England (down near Stapfam's neck of the woods). Renting one of those boats for a tour is on my "bucket list." The boats in your picture look very much like the ones I've seen. Do you know if those boats are privately owned or are they rentals?

Thank you Miss K. for the very generous compliments.

Those Packet Boats that I'm so fond of photographing are indeed rentals. I did a quick 'Google'...Erie Canal Packet Boat Rental, and got these three quick hits.
http://www.houseboating.org/ERIECANAL/overview.cfm
http://www.westernny.com/canalling.html
http://www.westernny.com/midlakes.html

I'm sure there are many more rental places out there. I also see a lot of privately owned boats on the canal. I believe the Erie Canal is linked to the Inland Waterway that runs down along the East Coast. The canal also offers access to the Great lakes from the Inland Waterway.

With enough research you might be able to time your vacation to include one or more of the 'Canal Days' type celebrations that occur in many of the small towns on the canal during the Summer.

The Erie Canal gets a lot of pleasure boat traffic but is by no means crowded. Many of the canal communities are just starting to realize the potential that the waterway offers. The towpath along the canal is quite popular with cyclists also. I've read ride reports of bicylists from Europe who took cycling vacations along the Erie Canal.

This event might be of interest to you also http://www.ptny.org/canaltour/
It's been on my 'Bucket List' for quite a while. Maybe someday........

I hope this has been helpful to you.

And bonus! Most of the ones I've seen on the Erie Canal come fully equipped with bicycles.

[/QUOTE]

This event might be of interest to you also http://www.ptny.org/canaltour/
It's been on my 'Bucket List' for quite a while. Maybe someday........

I hope this has been helpful to you.[/QUOTE]

Thank you for your efforts, Cranky. I never heard them referred to as "packet boats". You learn something every day! The trips there are enticing, however, I must tell you, I certainly under estimated the cost! Yikes! I could be back in Europe for that cost!
Your dream bike tour certainly is appealing, too. Thanks!

Well, tsl, for the rental price of the boat, the included bike should be a Madone and Lance better be on board to massage my shoulders after our ride together! :lol:

That's it Lenny, I'm selling my bikes and I'm going to start sailing again.:D