Forever Young - Erie Canal Closed

I have just returned from a trip to Wisconsin and Illinois.  Trevor and I stopped by the store at Southwind Marine to see Tom Young (Forever Young.)  It turns out that Tom had departed about two weeks before to take Forever Young down to the Annapolis Boat Show.  Since he was headed in my general direction I gave him a phone call to find out his float plan.  To my surprise he told me that he was headed back to southern Lake Michigan because the Erie Canal was closed due to damage from Hurricane Irene.  If you are planning on heading that way here is the link to the Erie Canal status.  Tom is now going to head down the Mississippi River to bring the boat south.  I look forward to hearing his experience as I have never made that particular trip.  Most likely we will join up in the Florida Keys.