Delaware and Raritan Canal

There is a fabulous canal built in the 1830's within easy travelling distance of NYC.

Everyone of course is familiar with the famous Erie Canal in upstate New York, which connects the Great Lakes to New York City. I have always wanted to see it, since it is still in existence and has its original locks in place. But, generally unknown, there is another canal right across the river in New Jersey which was similarly busy.

The Delaware and Raritan Canal and its feeder stretches a distance of over 60 miles from New Brunswick down to Trenton and then up to towns like Lambertville across from Philadelphia. The reason I am bothering to tell you all this is that for the bike ride lovers of the world, like me, there is a first-rate jogging and bike trail to enjoy along the towpath next to the canal. Canoes can also be rented for paddling on the canal itself.

My wife and I had a terrific fall weekend riding over 30 miles with our bikes on this trail. The amazing thing is that if this well-maintained trail were located in NYC, it would be mobbed and heralded for the beautiful experience it provided, but in New Jersey it was nearly deserted. Every once in a while, one would pass a few joggers or strollers, especially around Princeton University. But, for the most part, it was quiet and wonderful. All kinds of wildlife, especially ducks and other acquatic fowl, were visible along the way.

I recommend a weekend trip if you love the outdoors and don't want to travel far. You can get there by car from the City in an hour. You could even bring your bikes with you on NJ Transit from Manhattan as we did during off peak hours. We stayed in a hotel outside Princeton, which is at about the halfway point. There is lots to see and places to eat at in Princeton.

There is one other thing to bring to your attention about the canal itself. It was dug by hand by thousands of Irish immigrants with shovels in order to bring coal cheaply by barge pulled by mules from the coal mines in Pennsylvania to the furnaces of New York City. The workers were paid $1 per day, and many of them died and were buried along the route. It took 3 or 4 years to complete. The original locks and spillways are still in place, and there are explanatory signs and pictures along the route providing detailed information about this major engineering project.

Today all is still and almost starting to return to nature. Sic transit gloria mundi. ( Thus passes the glory of the world.) Along the same lines, just outside of Princeton University, as you head towards Trenton, there is a totally unexpected marker next to the trail. It is an engraved stone monument to General George Washington, commander of American forces during the Revolutionary War, showing a place where he passed with his troops on his way to battle. Somewhat hidden and probably unknown to most, it is strangely moving and very gratifying to encounter this modest memorial along a formerly busy route from a bygone era.