This being so, I always stop to watch boats come and go while walking through this area. There are various types of moving bridges to watch, too. It is possible to tour this canal on an excursion boat. I have a photo of one such boat in a lock, if you re interested. The barge in the photo is descending downstream.
Most barge operators appear to be couples without children.
In this case, though, Dad manned the rigging at the bow with Daughter s diligent help, Mom piloted the boat from the helm, and a little dog kept the family company. This barge was empty of cargo, so I presume it was on the way to pick up a new load. Father and daughter are chatting with one of the lock attendants as they wait for the barge to drop low enough to allow the attendant to open the front gate of the lock. Photographed on July 22, 1999.