Linda’s week–long birthday continued with a ride on the Augusta Canal in a replica of the historic Petersburg Canal Boat. We booked on the 11:30 am tour and boarded from the Enterprise Mill that houses the Canal Interpretative Center. The one– hour tour cost $12 each. The Sunset Cruise and the Moonlight Music Cruise cost $20 and $24 respectively.
Captain Billy pulled the quiet electric–powered boat to the dock, and the 15 passengers were ushered aboard by Beth the Expert Blond Tour Guide who narrated the trip. As we cruised along, she pointed out the 19th century textile mills, the Confederate Powder Works, several 18th century homes, the Augusta Medical Center, and numerous representatives of local wildlife such as herons and ducks. The otters and alligators remained hidden.
It was a great tour. My birthday girl took it all in and did not get seasick or sunburned because she wore a sun hat she bought in the gift shop.
On our way out of Augusta we drove through the downtown and parked on Broad Street for a short walk. It was interesting to find a statue of James Brown, the King of Soul, at one end and a Confederate Memorial at the other end. The engraving on the memorial read: “No nation rose so white and fair: none fell so pure of crime.”    

Next week:
Rockton–Rion Dinner Train