This week's Watery Wednesday is from an hour long round trip boat ride that we took on the I & M Canal in La Salle, Illinois last month, that was pulled by a mule. I apologize ahead of time to my visitors from Watery Wednesday for the lengthy post. I'm trying to kill two birds with one stone here!
Here's the mule pulling the boat.
Here's a picture of the lock doors that are no longer in use.
The tour guide was very eccentric and both dressed and acted the part of a person who worked on the canal back in the 1800's. He had some interesting and funny stories to tell.
The mule only pulled the boat one way; an engine propelled the boat back down the canal. Here's the captain steering the boat.
Looking back down the canal.
This one passenger really looked the part of a woman from the past.
At the visitor's center, there were cute tables and chairs set up outside and inside.
There was a snack bar available, and a sit down restaurant. Also a neat little gift shop with lots of goodies. Here are a few of them:
Hope you enjoyed the little tour of the I & M Canal!
13 comments:
Interesting post! Sounds like it was a fun day. That is a great photo of the mule. I also liked seeing the gift shop offerings, the aprons on the clothesline, and loved the angle of the photo of the beads.
I've only briefly scanned the rest of your blog but you seem to travel in a lot of the areas that I like, too, so I can see I'm going to have to follow your posts. :D
Thank you for visiting my blog and leaving your nice comment.
A great post, looks like something we would enjoy if we ever get back to Illinois.
Delightful
Sydney - City and Suburbs
Hi Pat, very nice post. The door of the canal reminds me of the flood gates here in our country. We have it around to keep us safe from floods. Thanks for sharing and for the visit.
Great post and interesting photos. We have the similiar boat rid eon the C& O Canal here in Maryland. I love the rooster in the gift shop.
Fantastic photos. Loved the tour.
That was very interesting. When you talked about the boat being pulled my a mule...I was thinking, "huh??"
What a grand tour that was! Thanks Pat.I love your photos,great pics.I feel sorry for the mule though,he looks beat.
Very interesting, but that mule didn't look happy. The lady all dressed up in the hat did though. Thanks for the ride.
Love the ride along and the inspiration you just gave me! That picture of the hen... looks ceramic ... I think I have a gourd that is just the right shape!!!!!
Life is good and i am off to clean out my sewing and craft room. Thanks for the inspirational shove!
I love your photo and commentaries. I am living vicariously through you, so go track down George Clooney and molest him, okay? Lots of photos too please.
I knew they used to use mules to pull boats.
I have to wonder why the engine couldn't work both ways. :)
Lovely shots!
I love their period costumes and yes the lovely lady fits right in.
Great shot of the mule as well.
I remember reading stories of the canals and boats being pulled by mules, now I get to see photos. A great piece of history.
The little hen in the gift shop is just the cutest thing. Great photos Pat.
Post a Comment