C & O Canal Tow Path

This weekend I biked a few miles on the C & O Canal.  As I wandered along the towpath, it occurred to me that what a treat it could be to restore the canal and use it as a tourism attraction.  Just as we have fabulous river cruises throughtout Europe, Egypt, China, Russia and other countries, how nice it would be to set up this short ~200 mile route from Cumbeland Md. to Washington DC.  Especially in these times it could not only serve as a stimulus but also as its present recreational purpose, but image a slow 2-3 day journey through some of the prettiest and historically significant countryside, and ending in our nations capital Washington DC.

While the barges would be much smaller than the river cruises in Europe, it could help create a major tourist attraction for not only  Americans but international visitors.  The countryside, the foliage, the civil war battlefields, the towns along the way like Hancock, Hagarstown, the Potomac, the various park the canal meanders through could all be short excursions. It could also be a great experiment in water management and energy regeneration.  The small size of the vessels and the canal would certainly make it an exclusive journey and command a premium, just as the river cruises do. 

And if we could do the C & O then perhaps the Erie canal would get a boost and other similar projects that have such a history and are cloaked in such beautiful environments.

If you agree, drop me a post and perhaps we can suggest to our congressional leaders.