Eufaulian travels via boat through England, Wales

Steve and Jim Estes traveled canals such as this one during their trip to England and Wales.

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Published: June 30, 2009

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When floating high above the mountains, one would expect to ride a ski lift or maybe a gondola lift - but probably not a boat.

But that’s something Steve Estes experienced recently on a trip to England and Wales. Estes, a Eufaula native and MeadWestvaco retiree, traveled through western England and eastern Wales with brother Jim and friend Colin Reeves.

A trip to England and Wales sounds exciting, but how Steve traveled through the United Kingdom is what made his trip unique. Steve sailed through the region on a six-foot wide, 72-foot long canal boat, following the circuit of 200-year-old canals that crisscross the area.

Steve describes how the canals were constructed 200 years ago to transport goods across England.

“The idea of a canal worked so well everyone jumped on it,” he says. “It’s a tremendous engineering feat.”

After the introduction of railroads, however, the canals fell into disrepair. Today, though the canals have been restored, they mainly carry recreational travelers like Steve and his crew.

Steve and his friends cruised through canals just a few inches wider than their boats, through tunnels and under bridges so old that the roads on them had been worn away. They saw castle ruins and magnificent old churches. They visited pubs and met many lighthearted English and Welsh people.

“In Wales, we took the route through the mountains. The canals there are hung on mountainsides. It’s strange being on a boat and looking down into valleys … if that doesn’t give you vertigo, I don’t know what will!” he laughs.

Read more on this story in the midweek edition of The Tribune avaliable Tuesday, June 30.