3:00 Leave Freewill Elementary

The Lockport Cave & Underground Boat Ride in Lockport, NY, on the Erie Canal, is just a 20 minute drive from Niagara Falls (via Route 31 East), offers the public an exciting 70-minute guided tour through America’s past. You will explore the historic Erie Canal Locks 67-71, constructed in 1838. You will also view ruins from an earlier industrial age, walk safely through a water tunnel that was blasted out of solid rock in the 1850s, viewing stalactites, flow stone, various geological formations and artifacts left behind by the men who built the tunnel in the early days of the Erie Canal. If you are lucky you may even find a fossil or two. Adults and scouts are charged $10.00.

The Lockport Cave & Underground Boat Ride Tours start at the ticket office, located in downtown Lockport, NY at 2 Pine Street in the “Old City Hall." Look for the Pine Street bridge over looking the Erie Canal and Lockport Locks. Further information may be obtained by phoning 716.438.0174.
• Lockport Cave & Underground Boat Ride tours take approximately 70 minutes.
• We recommend comfortable walking shoes.
• Although the cave contains some steps, a small group size and leisurely pace accommodates most people.
• Cave temperature is 55 degrees Fahrenheit, wind breakers or sweatshirts are recommended for your tour.
• Group rates are available for 20 or more. http://www.lockportcave.com/

Saturday, Oct. 9, 2010

6:30 Wakeup & Breakfast

7:30 Start Biking Start your day’s ride at Locks 34/35 in the center of Lockport. The entrance to the Canalway Trailis on the north side of the canal. The stone dust trail heads east outside of town on the north side of the canal.

8:30 After about seven miles you will come to Gasport. This small canal community has a convenience store, restaurant, laundry, and post office. Before you leave Gasport, one could take a side trip to Becker Farms {3760 Quaker Road, 585-772-2211}, about two miles north of the Trail. It is a delightful stop, with wine tasting and a picturesque farm market in the original farmhouse, which is decorated with period antiques.

9:30 The Trail continues east through the rich farmland of Niagara County for another six miles to Middleport, where you will find more services and shopping.

10:15 It is now only five miles to Medina, with full services and some interesting attractions. Be sure to notice the large red apple that is your landmark when coming into Medina from the west. This is apple country and Medina is proud of it! If you’re a railroad buff, don’t miss the Medina Railroad Museum $20 adult/child 15 admission{530 West Avenue, 716-798-6106}. As largest freight depot museum in the country, it features a large collection of artifacts and memorabilia plus the longest HO scale layout and diorama on one floor. Just north of town, the Medina Stone Farm {255 Route 63, 585-789-9238} features dances, lunches, and tours.

If the natural world interests you, consider riding south about five miles to the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge {1101 Casey Road, 585-948-5445}. The 10,000-acre Refuge has trails and public access overlooks. Bald eagles nest at the Refuge and spring and fall migration brings millions of waterfowl and songbirds.

12:00 Albion, is 10 miles east on the trail. As you ride, enjoy the wide- open spaces of one of New York State's largest and most productive agricultural areas. Be sure to stop at Culvert Road, about 2.5 miles east of Medina, to see the only road that goes under the Erie Canal, listed in Ripley’s Believe It or Not. Albion features an historic Courthouse Square, featuring a 19th century Greek Revival courthouse. Ask your B&B owner how to arrange a tour to see more of the area’s cobblestone era buildings. The Cobblestone Society Museum {14393 Ridge Road West, 585-589-9013} celebrates the cobblestone masonry tradition of this area. The Museum offers guided tours of seven buildings that house artifacts from the Cobblestone Era (1825-1860), including the oldest cobblestone church in North America and the cobblestone parsonage once owned by Horace Greeley. The 100-acre Mount Albion Cemetery, just east of town on Route 31, was established in 1843. The high point of the cemetery features a 68-foot-high Civil War Memorial Tower made of Medina Sandstone. Climb the tower to enjoy a panoramic view. Spencerport

1:30 Your next destination is Holley, about 10 miles east. In Holley, take a short hike to the falls or just relax in the gazebo on the canal and watch the boats go by. Holley offers several restaurants for lunch.

2:15 Another choice for lunch and sightseeing is Brockport, 5.5 miles to the east. Brockport promotes itself as the “Victorian Village on the Erie Canal” and is very proud of its signature wood and brick Victorian houses. A self-guided tour of the Village is available at the Village Hall {49 State Street, 585-637-5300}. Brockport is home to a State University of New York campus and a number of restaurants and shops line the lively main street.

For those interested in a different experience, about halfway between Brockport and Spencerport, and about 1.5 miles off the trail, is Springdale Farms {696 Colby Street, Ogden, NY, 585-352-5320). Springdale Farm is an operating farm that provides meaningful work opportunities for men and women with developmental disabilities, who take care of the animals and the grounds, assist with group tours and greet visitors. The farm is open to the public and welcomes 40,000 guests annually.

3:30 Spencerport, located about six miles east of Brockport, is another fine example of an historic Erie Canal Community. In the late 1800's Spencerport was a bustling canal center. Warehouses shipped out produce such as grain and beans and the community boasted three hotels, three grocery stores, two drug stores, two shoe stores, four blacksmith shops, three cooper shops, and two sheet metal shops. Spencerport has a fine historic district, easily accessible from the Canalway Trail, as well as a canal harbor, shopping, and restaurants.