The Sam Patch canal tour boat is getting ready to cruise the waterways around Rochester.

The boat returned to the Erie Canal at the Erie Macedon landing, where it will make its journey to its regular dock site in the village of Pittsford. 

It's offering a limited number of cruises for this Fourth of July weekend.

The boat's operators say they've been anxiously waiting for the canal to reopen, and getting the boat ready in the meantime.

"It's got a new paint job," said Lesley Seltzer of the Corn Hill Navigation Foundation. "We've made a lot of updates to it because we've had the extra time, so we're hoping passengers will feel comfortable and safe."

"I've been waiting since April to do this, it's great," said Tom Axx, lead captain. "I've been doing this for 13 years, and I look forward to it every season."