Anybody ever paddle the Erie Canal?

Slept on a lock in Brockton for a roadtrip last year and the idea has stuck in my head ever since. Never kayaked such a distance before so any advice would be appreciated. Planning for late august 2026/2027

Mainly how do you handle the car? My current plan is to drive to buffalo, drop my shit somewhere private, park at the airport, and take an uber to the canal. Then when I finish hide my shit, fly/bus back to buffalo, and drive back to Albany to grab my stuff. That seems like a ton of work but I don't have any contacts in the region or friends willing to drive that much just to pick me up/drop me off