Low Bridge, Everybody Down: Barging in Europe: Cruising the Canal du Vosges, France

It's fall and the leaves are gently covering the water.

A quiet place to spend the night.

Two birds with one stone? These people travel with their camper van on their deck barge.

We look forward to our walks.

The picture below shows the result of a lack of traffic of large barges along the Vosges Canal. In fact, this canal doesn't seem to get much traffic at all. We think it may be the most beautiful canal we have cruised on.

The lock wall is completely overgrown with vegetation. Over time the roots of the plants will loosen the stones of the walls allowing them to fall out. The wall of the lock will then collapse.

Checking us out while we check him out.

Tom's view from the helm on the Canal du Vosges.

Roosters and chickens were running free on one of our walks.

Butterfly on purple flower.

When we left Uzemain we saw someone photographing our boat. What we didn't realize was that a video was being taken of us and posted on the internet. A young man by the name of Joey is fascinated by boats. He has never seen a barge as large as ours. He was so excited he came to check us out at our mooring. Then he brought all his friends. Next he brought his parents. He spoke no English and we still don't speak enough French to chat with him. Philippe spoke to him. How could we resist such enthusiasm. We brought him on board and gave him a tour of the topsides, inside and most important the engine room. When it was time for us to leave he was there, still fascinated by Rabelo. We invited him on board to cruise with us. Gaining permission from his father he joined us for three locks. That was one excited boy! Tom even let him steer.