****** - Verified Buyer
4.5
While not everyone gets a chance to travel the canals of New York State and the Erie Canal (or wants to), this guide addresses the practical aspects of navigating canals. I bought the book for cruising the canal. The book is also aimed at those who want year round tips on using the canal and trials that adjoin the canal. There's a good history chapter with some historic photographs. This book is well done and one of the authors, Debbie Daino Stack, is the project coordinator for Media Artists Inc.'s award-winning PBS television series, Cruising America's Waterways. She was the program coordinator for the Erie Canal Museum in Syracuse, New York.If you can't experience the canal by boat, or by driving along roads adjacent to it, or by walking or biking, you can now enjoy reading about it.This book covers the canal system's evolution from an industrial transportation route to an recreational waterway. It's a good reference for preparing for your trip and also while you're on your trip. In addition to the info on mechanics of some of the unique locks, guard gates, and dams, there are suggestions for enjoying the cultural, recreational, and scenic opportunities along the canals.
