. . .it turns out Horace Greeley might not be the author, and John B. L. Soule, who may have been, had some harsh ideas about people.
I use it as explanation for something new I’m doing. Today I head over toward the pushpin to the right . . . Narragansett Bay, where I board a small passenger ship that has hired me as onboard lecturer. By July 12, we expect to be in Chicago via the route indicated. I am thrilled! The red dots are overnight stops, and the greenish ones are daytime stops for such tasks as lowering and raising the wheelhouse.
Here was Grande Mariner along the west side of Manhattan back in May 2016,
and here are two shots of her sister vessel farther upstate taken in 2013 and 2014.
The challenge I’m giving myself is to post each day of the westward journey, using photos from that day. Note that these ships with telescoping wheelhouse are truly Eriemax, designed to carry 100 souls along inland waterways on weeks-long voyages. My job is to present lectures every other day on topics ranging from wars along these waterways to 19th century canal fever to the storied and obscure cast of characters who lived along the waterways (e.g.., Seeger, Fulton, Rockefeller, Freed, Stanton, Tecumseh, Brock, Hanks) . . . to –of course–the variety of shipping working there.
In a way, it’s a 21st century version of the D & C route for which there’s the poster below.
If you don’t hear from me for a few days, just know I’m hoping to be somewhere along that route.
12 comments
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June 27, 2016 at 11:13 am
David Munro
neebish island green buoy fifty one st. Marys; river upbound will watch for you. great idea thanks
July 2, 2016 at 6:28 am
tugster
David– I’ll wave at green buoy 51.
June 27, 2016 at 11:32 am
sleepboot
Have a safe trip Will
Just got back from the West Coast
Regards
John
June 27, 2016 at 12:52 pm
Anonymous
Safe Travels, Many photos!
June 27, 2016 at 12:59 pm
John Huntington (@jhuntington)
Wow, what a fantastic trip, I look forward to your updates, have fun!
John
June 27, 2016 at 1:30 pm
Richard on Dauntless
Congratulations Wil,
Sounds like a wonderful, exciting trip.
I’m almost envious; no, I am envious in my greedy, little way!
June 28, 2016 at 12:38 am
sfdi1947
Good to go old man, said the old man! It sounds like an interesting voyage. Be safe out there and take lots of pictures.
Are you eventually going down the Chicago Canal and the Des Plains into the Father of Waters? The great circle tour or just a round turn?
July 2, 2016 at 6:27 am
tugster
sfdi–We stop at Chicago, but i have an interesting return itinerary though mostly terrestrial.
June 28, 2016 at 5:42 am
Daniel Meeter
Very cool. Goede reis.
June 28, 2016 at 7:29 am
Anonymous
What a great trip that sounds like. I wish you could video record all your lectures. I would enjoy that so much!
I hope you take lots of pictures.
June 28, 2016 at 10:31 pm
Charles Danko
And you’re getting paid for this Wil? LOL I’ve seen these little vessels down in the Carolinas & thought how relaxing and wonderful a couple of weeks onboard would be………i’ll be checking in daily to see your posts. Enjoy this trip of a lifetime.
June 29, 2016 at 2:39 pm
Angie
It looks as though you’ll be overnighting in the Rochester area – probably your best options are Pittsford or Fairport .
Of the two, I’d recommend Pittsford . You’ll have several choices of canalside restaurants, the Lock 32 Brewery, and a relatively short trip to Wegmans or Trader Joe’s if you need to reprovision .