I’ve driven US-24 through Waterville, OH probably a hundred times or more. Today, I decided to duck down into a little park I’d seen for a quick rest. I was surprised to find this old-time canal boat sitting under a bridge over -wait for it- an old time canal with a towpath. The Volunteer is a replica canal boat operated by the Toledo Parks system, on a genuine section of old canal along the present-day Maumee river.
Like many of these attractions, it’s operated by volunteers in period dress. The people operating this boat were sterling examples of how to put on the show, remaining in character and dressed in period clothes. It was almost possible to go back to 1840 in your mind, were it not for the muffled highway noise- just audible, even though masked by the trees.
Every time I see something like this, I feel a kinship of sorts with the folks volunteering. I did something similar for several years, on a tourist railroad museum. It’s not remunerative work, but it is good for the soul.
