Where do you live in D.C.? #19

Where do we live in D.C.? 

We live close to the start of the 185-mile long Chesapeake & Ohio Canal in Georgetown.  The C&O Canal, built during 1828-1850 along the Potomac River, carried boats with cargo and passengers from Georgetown to Cumberland, Maryland for nearly 100 years.

The C&O Canal has been partially preserved and is now operated by the National Park Service as a national historic park.  

Although preserved, the canal does require repair from time to time.  Starting in 2016, the portion of the canal located in Georgetown was closed and drained and an aging, rotting canal boat for tourists was demolished.  The closure and draining were necessary to allow repairs to Locks 3 and 4.  The rock walls were crumbling and wooden gates of the locks were leaking badly. 

So, when we arrived in D.C. a year for the start of Year 3, we found a sad sight--an empty canal filled with weeds.  Work on the locks progressed slowly.  We feared Year 3 would end before the repairs were completed.  

C&O Canal (August 2018)

Fortunately, in October and November, the repairs have neared completion.  While strolling in Georgetown one recent sunny day, we stumbled across the wooden gates being installed.  

The wooden gates were lowered into place in Locks 3 and 4 and then hinged in place.

That is where things stood for a few weeks.  Then, one day, we spotted water in the canal, along with a family of ducks.  It was a happy sight.

One of the canal's gates was closed but its paddles were open to allow some water to flow through.

Since Greg thinks canals are cool, he was very happy to see the canal back in operation before Year 3 ends.  

P.S.  You can read more about the C&O Canal by clicking here. and you can click here to see video and more photos of the gates being installed.

P.P.S.  Greg's brother Mike remembers visiting a park near Toledo, Ohio, when he was very young.  The park was home to part of an abandoned canal, the Miami and Erie Canal.  Apparently, Greg, who was then a wee lad, tagged along, and played in the empty canal.  Perhaps that is when and where Greg discovered his affection for canals.