Cape Cod Canal, Sandwich, MA

I didn't know there was a canal in Massachusetts, but there certainly is.  Compared to the Panama Canal, which is 48 miles long, the Cape Cod Canal is only 17 miles long.  There are also no locks on the Cape Cod Canal whereas the Panama has an 85 foot water and tide difference from one end to the other requiring the locks to lift and lower ships passing through.  Also the Panama Canal is only 110 feet wide but the Cape Cod Canal is 480 feet.  There's also a 5 knot current in the Cape Cod Canal that switches direction every six hours.  But it's free and saves 135 miles.  The Panama Canal saves thousands of miles and I'm sure the charge for transit reflects it too.
 

Now this looks cold.  This ship is traveling southwest towards Buzzard Bay, approaching the Railroad Bridge, which held the longest vertical lift railroad span in the world until the Arthur Hill Bridge connecting Staten Island and New Jersey stole it away.  Now it's the second longest.

Below is some information about the building of the Canal and some history chronology of the Cape.

Randy and Bill checking out the Renier, named for a famous French navigator.

Then of course there is Larry who we all know will talk to anyone and anything.  Here he is communing with either the stuffed Osprey toy or the post.  You choose.

A large ship clears the 135 foot allowance at the vertical life railroad bridge on his was out of the canal.

Knot to be outdone or untied .....

I put some towns on this aerial view of the Cape to help with perspective and size.

A really neat seafood market next to the Canal Visitor's Center.  Prices aren't cheap but these are probably the lowest in the Cape Cod area.

This little fella wants nothing to do with anyone's plans for him.  He's trying to beat it out of the shop.  I sure hope he makes it.

This guy most likely will not be so lucky.  He's big too.  Prices are 1-1.25 lbs $6.95 a pound.  Over 1.25 lbs is $9.95 a pound.  This one is a good 18 inches long.

A really pretty day.  Looking east down the Canal towards the Atlantic.

The Sagamore Bridge in the distance is the third bridge over the Canal and closest to the east end.  The middle bridge is the Bourne Bridge.

We almost missed this tug slipping past under the Bourne Bridge.

Another picture of the Sagamore Bridge showing also the bike trail that goes the length of the Canal.

And what would be a day without finding a thrift shop.  Interesting old church that will unlikely see another service other than a bargain basement.

Driving over the Bourne Bridge I decided what the heck, I'll take a picture through the railings.  Hmmmm.

That was the extent of our investigation of the Canal.  It was a fun day.  Must be lunch time by now.  Thanks for visiting.  See you soon.