Memorial Day in The Twin Cities

We are enjoying a weather day in Tonawanda/North Tonawanda, separated by the Erie Canal and known in Western New York as the Twin Cities. Tonawanda, population 15,000, and North Tonawanda, population 31,000, began as sleepy villages that exploded into large lumber centers after the Erie Canal opened in 1825. The canal here is actually Tonawanda Creek, which had always been used for commerce, but the growth was rapid once it was connected to the Atlantic Ocean.

It rained overnight, then we were awakened by the noisiest Canada geese that we’ve ever heard, bickering in the canal and on the adjacent lawn. More rain poured down most of the morning, then high winds in the afternoon kept us at the dock. The same is expected tomorrow and we’re hoping that the forecast is wrong, so we can get moving.

It’s Memorial Day, and we honor the fallen from our military ranks. We never wish anyone a “Happy Memorial Day,” since the holiday is to remember, not celebrate, those who died serving their country. In contrast, Veterans Day is to honor those who served, in war and peace, and are still living. Bonus Question: What were the original names of these two U.S. holidays? (Answer at end of post)

Once the rain cleared out, we logged two walks along the canal: North Tonawanda before lunch and Tonawanda after. We saw dozens of goose families, with goslings of all sizes, and understood why the geese near our boat were so crabby this morning—they are parents of youngsters.

The Buffalo area is full of bison statues, and we saw a bunch today in the Tonawandas. Some look like the real thing and others are painted in homage to the hometown Bills football team. 

One more thing of interest from our walks is the North Tonawanda Bascule Bridge. Also called a “jackknife bridge,” this style of drawbridge has a massive concrete counterweight on one end to balance the weight of the bridge when it pivots. Built in 1919, this bridge was the product of an aggressive state transportation mandate that demanded the Erie Canal be opened up to tall-masted ships. When the cost of replacing the hundreds of bridges on the entire canal was added up, the plan was quickly scrapped. While still an active railroad bridge, local lore has it that this bridge has never opened since its 1919 ribbon-cutting ceremony.

We ate dinner onboard and played cribbage in the cockpit, despite the wind. It is such a joy to spend so much time outdoors again, with plentiful daylight. It’s a huge, positive change from the end of our Florida cruise in January, when it was cold and dark by 5:00 PM.

Bonus Question Answer: Memorial Day began in 1868 as Decoration Day, when graves of Civil War dead were adorned with spring blooms. It was eventually expanded to include all Americans who died in military service. Veterans Day was first observed in 1919 as Armistice Day, one year after the end of World War I.