Ethan, these canals were built in the 1700s here .. they come from the "industrial age" and "working boats" were used to transport goods like coal by horsedrawn boat or barge ...now they are mainly leisure orientated and we have holiday boats to rent ..people who own their own private boats and like these two here which are a couple running their own private business from their boats ..they probably live and work on these boats ..so, working boat has come to change its meaning somewhat over the years :-)

Jules

 

What sort of business could you run on one of these boats? Sounds kind of cool working and living on the water.

 

Well those two looked to me like they were in some kind of rag trade ..probably travellers who go up and down the country selling their stuff in various market towns ... you can live very simply here ..once the boat is bought and paid for you are your own island ..you are effectively "out of the system" and kinda untouchable ..I have always loved the idea and before I bought my cottage I though about a narrow boat :-)

Jules

 

how does that look out of place???..lol

 

Steve, that sounds like it might have been one of those much larger river barges and can cost a fortune to restore ..they call them house boats here ...I saw a simialr program about a couple putting one on the River Thames here :-)

Jules

 

It looks fine in the picture by itself. If i stand away and showed what is on both sides of the house you would agree A cofee house and a crack house are on the sides of it. lol There's a parking lot just out of sight of the picture to the right. Maybe ill get another shot later, but trust me, it's weird.

 

Damn Jules I want to come live on your island. Forget pennsylvania, you just have so much beautiful scenery. The best we have out here are the trees in the fall and our amazing football and baseball stadiums. thats about all

 

Although, I have seen your PA in pics and it looks lovely too ..so much wide open spaces there :-)
But I do love it here, I could never imagine being anywhere else, its all I know ..that said I have never been off this island
..strange but true ..lol

Jules

 

Good-looking pooch in that second pic. Some sort of hound, maybe. Great colors.

 

Yes, I am sure it was "greyhound" ..he was so sweet, came right upto me and was as friendly as anything ... licking and tail wagging

Jules