Erie Canal Bicentennial: Time for the Canalway Challenge--a "How To"

People of all abilities can take the Canalway Challenge, which ranges from 1-360 miles, by registering their goal with the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor. Finishers of the various Challenges receive a certificate, magnet, sticker, and Erie Canal 200 commemorative patch.

I had registered my 360-Mile Challenge with my husband as a team: “Lisa & Jim Saunders to Stop CMV, #1 Birth Defects Virus.” The website helped me keep track of our mileage, where and when we stopped and started, and favorite sites along the way. Those who finish the Challenge must upload a picture. Finishers are then listed on the website (in our case, our team was listed). My one-minute video explains why we took the Challenge: "Erie Canal Trail: Stop Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Birth Defects. Pass "Elizabeth's Law."

My mom completed the One-Mile Challenge with me pushing her in a wheelchair. I am registering my walking grandson for the One-Mile Challenge with the hope I can encourage him to add his one mile to complete the 15-mile Challenge. People can sign up as an individual or as part of a team. For those unable to get out on the Trail, they can earn miles in their living room while exercising to Trail videos: "People with disabilities and their family and friends are invited to take the 1st Mile Challenge or get going with Virtual Miles." Those who find it difficult to get on the trail can exercise at home and earn up to 15 miles by watching 15 videos of trail travel. If my daughter were still alive (she died of the effects of congenital CMV), I would have pushed her on the Trail in her wheelchair or had her watch the Trail videos while doing her physical therapy at home.

My 360-Mile Challenge story is told in the 30-minute video, “Hiking the Erie Canalway Trail, Vote on 7 Wonders, Stop CMV” (PAC-B TV) and in my book, Walking the Erie Canalway Trail: A Search for 7 Wonders, Bathrooms and Beer to Stop CMV. When we finally reached Albany on April 23, 2025, I visited legislators the following day to ask them to pass another law requiring the testing of all newborns for CMV to improve early intervention.

Learn more about the Canalway Challenge: eriecanalway.org/explore/challenge and/or Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor: FAQs.

Thank you for your time. I hope you are, or will become, a fellow towpath traveler!

Sincerely,

Lisa Saunders
Canalway Challenge Ambassador
Author of Walking the Erie Canalway Trail: A Search for 7 Wonders, Bathrooms and Beer to Stop CMV
Baldwinsville, New York
LisaSaunders42@gmail.com

In addition to "Walking the Erie Canalway Trail," Lisa is the author of several books, such as "Mystic Seafarer's Trail," which features her defeat as a sailor when she abandoned ship.

Lisa's talks on "Walking the Erie Canalway Trail: A Search for 7 Wonders, Bathrooms and Beer to Stop CMV": Author and Canalway Challenge Ambassador Lisa Saunders will discuss walking the Erie Canalway Trail between Buffalo and Albany and issues faced by sedentary folks seeking to become "end-to-enders." On the Trail, Lisa investigated how her Great Aunt Rebecca drove into the Canal and how her ancestor Jacob Leach, an engineer and a distiller of whiskey, helped plan the opening of the Canal in 1825 with Governor Clinton's boat parade. Lisa features her choices for "The 7 Wonders of the Erie Canalway Trail" and explains how anyone can take their own Challenge, which can range from one to 360 miles.

Upcoming presentations include:

Tuesday, July 15, 7pm

"Walking the Erie Canalway Trail: A Search for 7 Wonders, Bathrooms and Beer to Stop CMV"
Schroeppel Historical Society Museum, 486 Main St., Phoenix, NY

Tuesday, August 5, 2025, 6pm
"Walking the Erie Canalway Trail: A Search for 7 Wonders, Bathrooms and Beer to Stop CMV"
Jordan Historical Society, 15 Mechanic St, Jordan, NY.

Friday, August 15, 12:30pm
"Walking the Erie Canalway Trail: A Search for 7 Wonders, Bathrooms and Beer to Stop CMV"
Baldwinsville Public Library

Weds, Sept 17, 2025, Noon
“Walking 360 Miles to Complete the Erie Canalway Challenge”
Baldwinsville Rotary Club, The Wood on Canton St., Baldwinsville