ERIE CANAL 2015
Dewitt to Utica
Back to the trail on the Old Erie Canal portion between Dewitt and Rome. I had remembered the Old Erie Canal section to be in poor shape, full of water. Based on this, I thought it must have been refurbished; but it turned out to be only the first few miles past Dewitt.
Still pretty nice
We ran into the Dutch family again outside the Chittenango Landing Canal Boat Museum.
Down to single track between Chittenango and Canastota
We pulled off the trail in Canastota headed for the Sharway Motel on the south side of town, but couldn't resist a well deserved stop at Zems Ice Cream Shop.
Everyone had saved half of their Dinosaur feast, so we didn't have to go out looking for a place to eat for supper.
Lock on the enlarged canal between Canastota and Durhamville.
At Durhamsville I decided to take some very nice back roads and rejoin the trail just before Lock 21. The others decided to stay on the trail, so we met up again at Lock 21.
Approaching the Barge Canal at Lock 21.
The trail crosses the canal via the lock.
Betweem Rome and Oriskany
A mile or so before Utica, the trail empties into a wide gravel area at a road. Across the road is a rough looking dirt track. But you have to turn left, cross an even rougher RR crossing to find the path to the right along the canal.
Tug used by Canal Authority for maintenance at Lock 20 west of Utica
I selected the Hotel Utica which was expensive, but considerably less than other 2nd and 3rd rate motels. Here we met Diann and Andrew who were on their way home from an annual family reunion in the Adirondacks north of Utica.
Lobby of the refurbished Hotel Utica
Another view of the lobby
Hotel Utica had more to offer than nostalgia. Our room was huge and thoroughly up to date. There was even an alcove for bike storage, although it wasn't really needed.
View from our room to the East
View from our room to the West
Hotel Utica breakfast room
Bar adjacent to breakfast room
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