About the Erie Canal Adventure Lab Trail...
The Erie Canal Adventure Lab Trail was created in 2021 and spans the 363 mile length of the Erie Canal from Buffalo to Albany. There are 69 uniquely designed Adventure Labs created by 51 skilled storytellers. The many adventures that were created consist of a variety of themes to produce the ultimate experience for all who traverse the trail. History, artwork, nature, cemeteries, dog parks, wildlife, and even Santa Claus are just some of the subjects you will encounter along your journey. Each completed adventure will leave you wanting to do another as you learn all about this extraordinary region of the United States
Erie Canal Adventure Lab Trail
What is an Adventure Lab?...
An Adventure Lab is a themed, multi-stage adventure that takes the player on a storytelling tour of a particular location. Players are guided through each stage by the use of the Adventure Lab app that can be downloaded to their smartphones for free. Adventure Labs range from 5 to 10 locations to visit, which can be accessed by either walking, driving, or a combination of both.
At each stage of an Adventure Lab the player has to answer an on-site question in order to gain access to the next location of the adventure. When all the locations have been visited, the story is completed and the Adventure Lab is done.
The Adventure Lab was created by Groundspeak, the same people who bring you Geocaching. Some Adventure Labs may have references to geocaching in them but you do not have to be a geocacher in order to complete an Adventure Lab.
Video by Halemeister - 3:57
The Erie Canal ...
The Erie Canal is a historic waterway that spans across New York State from Buffalo to Albany. It was built between 1817 and 1825 to create a navigable water route from the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean. Upon the canal's completion, it was hailed as the greatest engineering accomplishment of its time.
The Erie Canal is 363 miles long and passes through over 75 communities of various sizes. 80% of the population that resides in Upstate, Central and Western New York, lives within 20 miles of the Erie Canal. In the year 2000, Congress designated this engineering marvel as a National Heritage Corridor because of its contribution to American progress.
Now used mainly for recreation, the Erie Canal is the perfect location to tell the stories, of this historic wonder and its surrounding area, through the Adventure Lab experience.
Video by Call of the Loon Productions - 5:04
The Erie Canal Song ...
I've got a mule and her name is Sal, fifteen miles on the Erie Canal.
She's a good old worker and a good old pal, fifteen miles on the Erie Canal.
We haul'd some barges in our day, filled with lumber, coal, and hay.
We know every inch of the way we go, from Albany to Buffalo.
Low bridge, everybody down. Low bridge, yeah we're coming to a town.
You'll always know your neighbor and you'll always know your pal,
if you've ever navigated on the Erie Canal.
Video by Karl Gunnar Holmqvist - 2:20
What is Geocaching? ...
Geocaching is an outdoor activity were participants use either a handheld GPS device or smartphone to find hidden containers called "geocaches." There are over 3 million geocache containers placed throughout the world, with many having been hidden along the Erie Canal. A complete listing of worldwide geocache hides can be located at www.geocaching.com. Click the links below to download the free geocaching app for smartphones.
A typical geocache is a waterproof container containing a logbook and sometimes a pen or pencil. The geocacher signs the log, with their established username, and dates it in order to prove that they found the geocache.
Video by Geocaching HQ - 1:16
69 ADVENTURES - 51 STORYTELLERS - UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCES
