Driving the pair on the historic Chesapeake an Delaware Canal

Well the spring has sprung in the mid-Atlantic region and I had the opportunity to take the Spotted Draft Horse pair to one of the most historically rich pieces of real estate on the eastern shore.. the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal. Centuries of history surrounding the Chesapeake & Delaware Canal. The C&D, a 300-mile shortcut that saves boaters the trip around the Delmarva Peninsula, is the only major navigation waterway in the United States that was built during the early 1800s and is still in use today. And no wonder: it plays a key role, connecting the Delaware River with the Chesapeake and the Delaware Bays and spurring trade and growth for the entire region as well as the United States. An engineering marvel and one of only two sea-level canals operating in the United States, the C&D runs 14 miles long, 450 feet wide and 35 feet deep and can accommodate all but the largest oceangoing vessels. Tons of cargo chug through its waters, saving shippers bundles in transportation costs. As well as its importance to the ports of the Delaware River, Baltimore, Philadelphia, and the northern Atlantic trade route, this modern, electronically controlled waterway has also grown into a popular destination for pleasure boaters and tourists. During World War II, its waters sheltered dozens of ships from enemy submarines, and during the Civil War, its waters sent troops and supplies on their way. What a fabulous day!