July 6 - The route least taken...

Long ago we had decided to take the longer, more northerly route up through Lake Champlaign and then onto Montreal, Ottawa, etc. Our reason was simple, this is supposed to be a very beautiful passage. 

We were convinced by all the information we read and the people we talked to that while it would be longer, take more time, and be a little more expensive, it would be worthwhile. It has also proved to be the wisest and more fortuitous choice. 

Because it takes longer, etc. many of the other 'Loopers' opt to go via the Erie Canal. Unfortunately for many of them this has become a poor choice. 

The floods I talked about in my June 20th postings also damaged the Erie. One month later many are still trapped wherever they stopped. Worse still for others, their boats have been left on land after the floods ebbed. 

For the lucky few on the 'right' side of the canal, many are now turning around to head up the Champlain. 

As the saying goes, 'there but for the grace if god...'