Story & Photos by: ROBERT STOPPER, LYONS
During the 2012 boating season, 272 boats, 20 from
Canada, officially “signed in” and docked at least one evening in Lyons on the
Erie Canal. Passengers on the watercraft represented 30 states and 206
communities from various parts of the world. The 272 boats represented an
increase of 64 boats from the 2011 boating season.
Boaters are friendly people and love to tell their
story. For example: International videographers Ian and Nagaire Caroline from
New Zealand aboard the NAN. The Nan was used by
Paul Newman and Sally Fields in the movie, “The Absence of Malice”; Bucktail
Wayne, the famous Mississippi angler and jig maker aboard Unchained; Ken
Gould from Queensland, Australia, attempting his first Great Loop experience aboard
Aweigh Too Far ; Captain Tom and
his wife Arlene aboard the Hemlock,
a Mid-Lakes Navigation hire boat. Tom is President of the Cape Cod and Island
Tourist Association; Benno and Marlene Klopfer, originally from Germany,
navigating the Erie Canal utilizing only solar power aboard Diesel Duck 41,
a 41 foot aluminum power assisted Trawler Yacht.
Several boating guests were returning from long days
at sea: Captain Dale Broom and family, aboard the sailboat Dilly Dally
was returning home to Duluth, MN from an extensive trip in the Caribbean. This
was his second stop in Lyons. He docked
next to Silvia and Dirk Lison who had arrived aboard s/v Lison Life.
Silvia and Dirk proudly shared a world globe and traced their voyage …. They
were returning to Sarnia, ON…. They were
completing a 24 month sail around the world!
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| s/v Lison Life docked on Erie Canal bank |
Other guests
included: Captain Ben, on R & R from Afghanistan, accompanied by his dog
Blue. Captain Ben was literally rowing his sailboat Junkyard Dog down
the Erie Canal! Another interesting guest was Alaskan adventurer Peter MacKay
from Juno, Alaska. Peter had kayaked the entire length of the Erie Canal in
2010. During that trip, he had spent an evening on the canal bank in Lyons. Now
Peter was biking the Northern Tier Bike Route from Anacortes, Washington to Bar
Harbor, Maine. Peter had arrived in Lyons on his bike by following the NYS Erie
Canal Bike Trail.
Then there was world famous bike, hike, kayak, and
canoe adventurer Bill Nedderman from Lovila, Iowa. Bill was attempting to canoe
the 6000 mile Great Loop in his 20 year old home- made bark strip canoe, the “Helen
Lucille” (named after me Mum!). Bill’s adventure credentials are simply
amazing: 63,000 miles by bike, 34,000 miles hiking, and 32,000 miles by canoe
and kayak. Like several kayakers and bikers during the 2012 season, Bill spent
the evening on the canal bank under the stars in front of the Peppermint
Garden!
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| Boaters arrive for Lyons Peppermint Days |
The greatest number of overnight dockings on the
Erie Canal in Lyons occurred during the annual Peppermint Days Festival in
July. Fourteen (14) boats lined the north side or terminal wall. Passengers on
those boats will always have a “thundering and loud story” to tell about their
stay in Lyons…. Along with other boats anchored in the canal waters, they were
just a few feet away from the famous Lyons Peppermint Days Festival Fireworks known as Thunder on the Eriel!
On behalf of Lyons, NY and all the towns and
villages along the Erie Canal: “Thank you boaters for visiting us during the
2012 boating season. Welcome to the 2013 season! It begins May 1…. Hope to see you soon!”
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peachy Said,
NICE STORY sTEPH ~ NICE PICS , bOB !
Posted on Wed Apr 17, 05:28:00 AM EDT
Videomark Said,
A visitor coming to see history spends 30% more than a person just passing through. Tourism is the key to the villages and communities that live along the Erie Canal.
Posted on Wed Apr 17, 07:47:00 AM EDT
sdobbins Said,
we appreciate all you do for these guests
Posted on Wed Apr 17, 08:24:00 AM EDT
Gil Burgess Said,
Very interesting report! Everyone should pay attention to Mark's comment. I read recently how huge tourism is worldwide. Something like 1 person in 15 is employed because of it!
Posted on Wed Apr 17, 10:30:00 AM EDT
Lison Life Said,
While some boaters do rush through the Canal, heading North or South, for others the Canal is THE destination. On our way back to the Great Lakes we had to extend our 10day pass because we enjoyed it so much. And yes, we do leave money in the villages.
Dirk Lison s/v Lison Life
http://blog.lison.com
Posted on Fri May 03, 01:07:00 PM EDT