Cruise life… the Erie Canal version

One of the cruise ships… boats…

Yesterday, I got to go on a cruise with a group from church. It’s been a long time since my last cruise… all right… one week… I had a mini-cruise last week when I was covering a Lions Club event for the local newspaper (tough job, but someone’s got to do it). The boat that I was on was owned by a member of the Antique and Classic Boat Society. They come to this event, called the Exceptional Kids’ Picnic, that is held annually, and they offer boat rides to kids. As I was walking on the dock, I was invited to join a small group for a boat ride. I don’t know if I have ever said no to a boat ride. In fact, I doubt it. As soon as I got on the boat, I put on my life vest and began taking pictures. Before we departed, a young lady, who was fascinated by my enthusiasm for the camera, sat down next to me and began talking. She was very delightful. She let me know that she knows everything “because I am seven years old.” And that must be true. After all, Alice was seven years old when she went to Wonderland and this girl is exactly the same age. So, there you go.

view from the Niagara River of the Grand Island shore
“;Low bridge, everybody down!”

The start of the canal cruise was less than promising, as, all of a sudden, it started pouring. Before long, the floor was very wet. But that didn’t dampen our enthusiasm for the cruise. While it rained, we all enjoyed food from a buffet. There was an antipasto salad, with many selections, as well as such Buffalo favorites as beef on weck and chicken wings. There were three types of loaded baked potato skins, including macaroni and cheese, reuben and sweet potato. I enjoyed the sweet potato flavor. It was very yummy. The mushrooms and cheeses from the antipasto salad were also delicious.

And, fortunately, the rain stopped.

A happy family celebrates Lily’s first cruise!

The trip took us through a lock, where we had a long drop to get from one level of the canal to the next. We went under low bridges. If we were on the upper deck, we were required to sit down. Paula pointed out that, as we are both Fun Sized, it didn’t matter whether we were sitting or standing. But we happily sat and watched the top of the bridge as we went under it.

We went through a lock. First, we went down a few levels, sort of like a boat version of an elevator. Then, the gates to the lock begin to open.
The gates opened wider and wider
And we went out
There was so much to see!

The cruise was a great adventure! I had so much fun, and I hope that you enjoyed your mini tour with me, your mini tour guide (well, because I am Fun Sized).

8 thoughts on “Cruise life… the Erie Canal version”

  1. That sounds so interesting Alice and it felt like I was right there with you! The buffet must have been delicious with all these foods! I wonder where you next cruise will take you.

  2. Alice, what a lovely adventure! I’m not sure I’ve ever seen you commenting on food before, so that was especially fun. I have never had sweet potato loaded baked potatoes, so I’m putting that on my culinary bucket list. The locks sound like fun, and doing this tour in the rain also sounds viscerally joyous. Thanks for sharing the images and descriptions with us! Btw how tall are you, Miss Fun Size? I’m 5’4″. 🙂

    1. It was a fun adventure, even with the rain! Maybe I should comment more about food, lol.
      Oh, and I am 5’0″! And therefore, I am Fun Sized. I fit into a lot of small spaces!

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