Lock Keeper

Today I finally saw one of our canal's locks in action. I had no idea this was still used but it apparently entertains tourists three times a day during the high season, complete with mules to pull the barge and people dressed in epoch clothing (featured here was the "lock keeper" -- no clue whether that's the job's title).

It was impressive to see the snug fit of the boat in the lock (best not to be claustrophobic...), the maneuvers all done manually to get various locks and pulleys open and the speed at which the water emptied and the boat descended into the next section.