May 5th, Friday – Today Began On A Sad Note

Today, yes, began on a very sad note.  It’s the kind of call no one likes to receive but, unfortunately, they too are a part of life.  Barbara and I had just finished breakfast, dressed, and were ready to leave to do some sight-seeing in the immediate area.  That’s when the call came from Barbara’s sister, Carol, informing her that their cousin Walter had passed away during the night.  Walter was who we stopped to see while in St. Mary’s

Georgia.  We are so thankful we had this opportunity to visit him this one last time.  Let us never forget time with family is so very precious and should never be taken for granted.

Since nothing more could be done at the immediate time we decided to go ahead with our plans for the day.   Today we went to something that I was much interested in which was the Cape Cod Canal and Visitor Center.  Inside at the front desk we met two of God’s

beautiful people who were Jan and Elisa.  They were super-friendly and had loads of information to share with us regarding the canal, volunteering for the COE, and the immediate area.  Thank you both for answering our endless questions and making us feel like long-lost friends.  We will remember both of you no matter where we go.

Regarding the canal itself a few pictures before some history.  This is a map of the canal on display at the visitor’s center.

This is a 3-D model of the canal also on display.

This is an aerial view of the canal today.

Now for some quick history facts regarding the canal.

• the idea of a canal connecting Cape Cod and Buzzards bay dates back to the 1620’s and Miles Standish of Plymouth Colony
• subsequent feasibility studies continued to be conducted during the next three centuries and several attempts were actually made to construct the canal but all failed for one reason or another
• in 1905 a wealthy financier named August Belmont purchased the Boston, Cape Cod and New York Canal Company with the intent of finally completing the canal and using it to turn a profit.
• from the beginning Belmont’s project met with bad weather, clay, monstrous 10 ton boulders all of which slowed the completion of the canal
• the canal finally opened to vessel traffic as a toll waterway on July 29, 1914 but was never actually completed to 1916
• Belmont’s Canal, however, never achieved the level of traffic or revenue its investors envisioned.  Why?  Take a look at the following picture

• This shows that the original canal was too shallow and too narrow for ships to safely transit the canal.  Other factors that led to its disuse were the frequent shoaling that occurred, narrow bridge openings, tricky currents, high tolls and sharp turns on the approach channels.  In the end, Belmont’s Canal was a financial failure
• enter the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers who undertook a massive reconstruction of the Canal throughout the 1930’s.  It was the time of the Great Depression and many men found much-needed work.
• to provide a safer, more viable intercostal waterway, the Corps replaced the original bridges, widened and deepened the channel to 480 and 32 feet respectively, straightened and lengthened the approach channels, and lined the banks of the Canal with rocks to limit erosion.
• by 1940 the reconstruction of the Canal was complete, however, the work continues as needed to maintain not only the Canal but the facilities and structures along the Canal

Now for some quick facts regarding the operation of the Canal today

• an average of 14,000 vessels of all types transit the Canal annually from pleasure craft to commercial shipping

• following this fully loaded petroleum barge, I next noticed a tug following close astern of it which prompted my curiosity.  Elisa had the answer for me.

• Elisa stated that Massachusetts law requires all fully loaded petroleum barges to be accompanied by an escort tug.  Should anything happen to the tug pushing the barge help is thus immediately available.
• the Canal is open toll-free, 24 hours a day.  Foreign flagged vessels, for instance, yesterday a Scandinavian cruise ship went through the canal and they are required to have a certified Canal pilot on board.
• today the Army Corps of Engineers ensures safe movement of vessels through the Canal using a sophisticated, centralized marine traffic control system located in
  Buzzards Bay
• marine personnel also utilize patrol boats and rapid response boats similar to

• yes this is an actual retired patrol boat, minus only 5 feet of the stern

• the wheel house as it was when it was in operation

• a bit of history about the Renier

Moving on, I was told I must post this picture, don’t laugh too hard.  Me and my baggy shorts!  Proof positive that I actually do come along on these excursions.

OK, one more thing before I wrap this all up.  After we left the visitor’s center we discovered this gentleman.  Let’s just say some like to catch their fresh fish the old-fashioned way, with a hook and line.  This gentleman, however, likes to see first hand what he is about to catch, he goes diving with a spear gun to find his dinner!

Yup, that’s him out there looking for his dinner for the evening.  I believe I’ll just go to Red Lobster.

So our day has now come to an end.  We’ve enjoyed it because once again we traveled along, side by side, doing our thing together.  I ask that you remember Barbara, Carol, and their brother Harry as they together begin to plan for their cousin Walter’s funeral.  He was a submariner for 20 years of active service and it was his wish that he be given a military funeral with full honors.

In closing, I share this with you and ask that you take it to heart:

As always,  if you are coming to the end of your day with concerns and worries let me suggest that you turn them over to God.  After all, He is going to be up all night so why not let him handle them for you.

Time now for our evening prayers and some shut-eye.  Till tomorrow.  Thanks again for sharing our day with us.

These are the voyages of  Graybeard and it’s occupants, four paws and two humans.  Our continuing mission: to explore as many new states as possible, to seek out new acquaintances and make new friends, to boldly go where we have not been before