IL Michigan Canal towpath bike trail April 28, 2010

The Illinois Michigan Canal Towpath  Bike Trail  is one of my favorites.  Originally, about 150 years ago, the Illinois Michigan Canal was used to transport goods between  Chicago and LaSalle IL.  From La Salle  the goods were shipped down the Illinois River to the Mississippi  River and on to New Orleans.  Mules along side the canal pulled the canal boats between Joliet and La Salle.  The  portion of the path between Channahon and Au Sable is the  segment that we biked today.

2  The IL  Michigan  canal with the bike path to the side.

3 Dave looking across the Des Plaines  River at Mc Kinley Woods

4
This little device reminds me of the Tin Man in the Wizard of Oz

5 A barge on the Des Plaines waiting to go through the locks.

6  Our bikes  on the tow path .  In the background  you see the canal's  aqueduct over  a creek at Au Sable.

7  Looking  down the  canal from Au Sable.  Bike path to the left side.

8  Louise  sitting on the steps of the locktender's house at the Lock at Au Sable.

9  Beavers have been  at work.

10 Looking down the tow path  toward Channahon on the  return trip.

11.  The  Locktender's house at  Channahon.