In an Erie Canal lock
These structures are for flood control. It is a little scary passing under them.
This is the point on the Hudson River where the Erie Canal starts and goes west. Continuing on the Hudson takes you to the Champlain Canal which goes north.
Just before the Erie canal is this lock in Troy, NY
Tuesday, October 3
We enjoyed our time at Coeyman's Landing Marina, walking the dogs, talking with the owner and the dock girl, but we needed to get through the Eric Canal by Wednesday, October 11 when they would be closed for the season. Having left Coeyman's Landing Marina we traveled through Albany to Troy. We were going to be going through a total of 22 locks and most had a gain of at least 20 feet. We were nervous about how much current would be in the lock and also conditions of current prior to the lock, how to hold the ropes or cables, where to position Aisling. We had read about the locks, but that is not the same as experiencing them. The first lock is at Troy, NY. Although we thought we were ready, we had some difficulty grabbing the lines and securing the boat.
Soon after that lock we came to the left turn into the Erie Canal. We passed the visitor center without stopping. We didn't need to buy a permit since the docking is free this year in celebration of the 200th anniversary of the building of the canal.
Today we were going to do the "flight of 5" - which is 5 locks one after the other. After Lock 8 it was 5:10 PM and we tied up on the seawall just west of Lock 8.
We went 45 miles today.
Wednesday, October 4
Lock 9 - 13 Tied up at Riverfront Park Canajoharie, NY which is a free dock, with free electric plug-in. We explored the town by walking to the liquor store. We bought some wonderful NY state wine. Jeff asked for beer but the liquor store cannot sell it in NY. Then we walked to the CVS drug store for beer and coffee. At the Arkell museum we enjoyed the Erie Canal history display and bought post cards. Outside was a beautiful statue. The old route of the canal went right through where the building sits. Jeff stood in the middle of the old canal ditch.
Today we went 37 miles
The Arkell Museum in Canajoharie, NY
At town dock Canajohaire, NY
Canajohaire, NY Park bench at the dock
At Arkell Museum was constructed in the bed of the old course of the Erie Canal. Behind the building Jeff stood where the water used to flow in the canal.
Thursday, October 5
After Locks 14, 15 we bought fuel and filled up with water at St. Johnsville Marina.
Lock 17 is just before the town of Little Falls. It is called a Guillotine Lock since it has a vertical sliding lock closure instead of the usual swinging doors. With a lift of 40.5 feet, it is the highest lift on the canal. Little Falls Harbor has a welcoming dockmaster, Mark. He showed us around the nice welcome center and bathhouse. This area had experienced a major flood last July.
Today's travel was 19 miles
Friday, October 6
After Lock 18 we tied to the seawall at a gift shop called "Gems along the Mohawk." Here jewelry made with Herkimer diamonds was available. Herkimer diamonds are mined at a site close to here. They are not really diamonds but are 6-sided clear quarts crystals which are formed with both ends in natural crystal points. Barbara bought a ring and a pendant.
After Lock 19 we were in Utica, NY. The town owns a free dock for boaters and there is a restaurant there called "Aqua Vino." There was a rack here where the town of Utica provides bikes for rental. We downloaded the bike rental app but discovered the daily charge for transient users was just about the same as for renting a car. We rented an Enterprise car.
Travelled 21 miles today.
Herkimer, NY Gem shop along the canal
The Gem shop is also along the NY Thruway
Saturday, October 7
We used the rental car to visit some nearby craft breweries. Our favorite was the tiny Woodland Farm Brewery where we enjoyed a cheese and sausage platter. We bought a package of "Grassy Cow" NY cheese curds which were delicious. We also visited16 Stone Brewpub, Saranac Brewery, and Nail Creek Pub and Brewery.
Woodland Farm Brewery
Woodland Farm Brewery snack tray
At Saranac Brewery in Utica NY
Deicious cheese curds from local cows
Sunday, October 8
After we returned the car, we got underway and went up in Lock 20 to the highest elevation on the Erie Canal -- 420 feet above sea level. From here the lock takes you down instead of raising you up, when going north.
After Locks 21 and 22 we tied up at the free wall at Sylvan Creek. They are famous for the white sand beach and Ice Cream shop -- just like on the ocean. After enjoying our ice cream treat, we walked across the street to Harpoon Eddie's on the beach. Here we saw the Oneida Lake and beach. Dogs were not allowed on the beach so we walked back to the boat
We traveled 29 miles today.
Sylvan Beach Ice Cream Shop
Sylvan Beach on Oneida Lake
This sign gives boaters information on crossing Oneida Lake
Monday, October 9
The lake crossing is a long passage of 22 miles across a large lake -- wind and waves can cause problems. We left at 7:00 AM, just before dawn due to forecast of heavy rain and wind from hurricane Nate. The 2.5 ft swells were going with us and the wind was behind us so our passage was comfortable and uneventful. We made the crossing in a little under 2 hours. We docked at the Brewerton Free Dock, but ti was very rough. We contacted Winter Harbor Marina in Brewerton, NY (just north of Syracuse) and are on the fuel dock. The dock hand that helped us was a very stylish young lady. Talking with her we discovered that she had been involved with this business from the time she was on her mother's back in a backpack. She had just finished up cosmology school. She didn't seem to mind that the wind was blowing and it was raining. We got a pump out (dumping of the black water), and tied up. She told us NOT to fuel Aisling.
The boat would be hauled out of the water and put in a large building like an airplane hanger, with about 100 other boats. The building is kept warm (55° F) and boats do not need to be "winterized"- putting antifreeze in their engines and water systems.
We had a conversation with John the haul-out manager. He recommended taking the dinghy off the stern platform and storing it. That would be a lot of work but we knew that would be the best. It was a little hard working in the rain.
Went 22 miles across the lake on Aisling.
Aisling is ready for storage with dinghy rolled up on deck
These building are for boat storage
Tuesday, October 10
Today Jeff removed the non-operating AC power inverter to take home with us. Jeff worked on a problem that has been a concern and nuisance. Every time we fill up with diesel fuel, the filler tube backs up and forces us to very carefully squeeze the pump handle to avoid a big overflow mess. To fill our tank with 50 gallons of diesel takes us at least 30 minutes. It should take about 5! We had this problem every time we filled up. Jeff had checked the air vent hose, but it was not blocked. He thinks the problem is a dip in the fuel tank vent line which is supposed to be gradually rising to the vent outlet. Removing the section of soundproofing which caused the dip, he cut a hole for the vent to pass without a dip. Hopefully next season we will no longer have this annoying problem!
We washed all the fender covers with a water hose -- these had gotten very dirty from the canal lock walls. We spent the rest of the day getting an Enterprise rental car and taking off food items, anything that might attract unwanted guests (i.e. mice), clothes and personal items.
We drove 314 miles to our home in Towson.
All ready for haulout for storage
Aisling has a berth in the second building
Before leaving Jeff corrected a dip in the fuel vent line
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