Opportunities for recreation were very meager. Several families when asked about their pleasures and recreation, replied that they had none. Nearly all said that their only friends were the other boating families. Some complained that the children got lonely and restless. One father who was musical was teaching his children to sing and to play on the banjo and the mandolin. Some of the children spoke of good times swimming in the canal, especially when they reached the lower levels, or were detained for a number of days at the terminal. Unfortunately at this point, the water of the canal was much polluted; the towpath, which furnished almost the only playground for the children, was littered with manure and refuse, and children were obliged to find play spaces between the mules standing along the path.