This past weekend, my parents and grandmother (yes, I am lucky to still have one!) came up to visit. We spent some Quality Time working on our new house, but took a break on Sunday for a boat trip on the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal.
This is a great DC-area field trip if you have older folks visiting you, even on a hot day. It’s just a short walk to the boat, then a nice breezy ride on the canal, and another short walk over to the picnic grounds where there is a snack stand. (Not that my parents couldn’t handle some hiking, but my grandmother is just a little slower than she used to be!)
All aboard!The 200-year old locks were quite impressive. Locks today use the same basic technology.A sturdy wench pulling a canal boat. When the canal was active, most of the labor was actually performed by women and children. Families lived on the boats with their mules and everyone worked for a living.Once the boat was underway, it was hooked up to a team of mules who didn’t even break a sweat. Most of the tour patter was about how wonderful mules are. I guess they are if you have a canal boat. This one is Emily.There were beavers in evidence.And (big surprise) deer.My parents are cool. And they like hats.
Well, That Was Different 
Thanks for the heads up. We’ll have to check this out next time we are in the area. I love the pics of your family.
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