On the Erie Canal

Janice helps Warner up on Sal, the famous Erie Canal mule in a Fairport park.

Fairport was a wonderful surprise! Boats from around the continent were docked along both sides of the canal from the highway bridge to the lift bridge, a distance of about a quarter mile. Sculls, kayaks, and canoes plied the peaceful waters. Joggers, strollers, and skaters scurried along the resurrected canal towpath.

Captain John registered us at the village dock - $11 for electricity, water, and shower - and the Fantessy Four set out on a tour of the Fairport Village.

When the Erie Canal was first proposed, the land under our feet was nothing but a fetid swamp. Mr. Clinton had it drained, the canal was cut, a lock was constructed, and Hark! a crossroads community was born.

Industry moved in. Deland Chemical produced baking soda and later vinegar. Cobb Preserving made tin cans. Trescott Company packed fruit. In 1867, Fairport was incorporated as a village in the Town of Perinton in Monroe County.

In 2005, Fairport, which calls itself the Crown Jewel of the Erie Canal, was ranked #62 in Money

Linda and Janice stand in front of the Green Lantern Inn, a Victorian mansion said to be the oldest house in Fairport.

Magazine's "Best Places to Live" list. About 6,000 people live there and the median family income is $66,000.

The Canal Days Festival was the talk of the town. Unfortunately, we would be leaving a few days before an expected crowd of 10,000 would enjoy more than 400 arts and crafts exhibitions and hundreds of food stalls.

It was our anniversary. Linda and I picked Mulconry's Irish Pub as the place to celebrate our 17 years of marital bliss. It had been open for only a few weeks and was attractive with high ceilings and stone fireplace. The second floor deck allowed an excellent view of activity on the canal.

Captain John and Janice ordered their usual veggie dishes. Linda and I spiced it up with boxties, Irish potato cakes folded like an omelet and stuffed with BBQ chicken. The four of us shared a pitcher of Guinness and raised our glasses and voices to The Mouse on the Barroom Floor:

The lift bridge over the Erie Canal is a major feature of the Village of Fairport, NY.

Some Guinness was spilt on the barroom floor,
When the pub was shut for the night.
Out of his hole crept a wee brown mouse
And stood in the pale moon light.
He lapped up the frothy brew from the floor,
Then back on his haunches he sat
And all night long you could hear him roar;
"Bring on the goshdarn cat!"

The interesting juxtaposition of the Victorian mansion of the 1880s with the 1940s Sinclair Gas Station. The mansion is now a B&B. The gas station is a gift shop.