How do these go together? Well, the stew goes beyond just these two ingredients. But let's explore.
As Brio has traveled west, the Canal has passed through what seems to be very rural terrain. Then suddenly we hear a train whistle and we realize that the world is not too far off. Nevertheless, we have seen bald eagles flying alongside us, which is always thrilling.
Here is an alligator, lying low in the water and ready to strike.
The alligator, otherwise known as a partially submerged log, lies in wait, ready to strike the hull or propellers of unsuspecting boaters passing by. We know all too well the damage these beasts can do. They can often be difficult to spot and require careful watches to see them before they hit.
Here is another group of animals, young geese or ducks with their parents escorting them from one side of the Canal to another.
The final animal we want to include is a pair of workers: the Canal mule and its young master. They are memorialized in this bronze.
The mule driver, often young boys and sometimes young girls, could be as young as 8 years old. The work day could be as long as two 8-hour shifts, after which the driver would sleep with the mule, caring for and feeding them. This was a rough life, but by towing the barges, the mules and their drivers made the canal boats carried the goods that made the Canal an integral part of the economy of the region.
Cheers,
Brio
Then there are these, young families of ducks and geese. The latter tend to foul the banks of marinas such as the one where we are now in Ilion. But they are very sweet looking as they swim across the Canal.
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