6/26/2011 SCHUYLERVILLE TO WHITEHALL, NY

SUNDAY

TOTAL MILES TRAVELED TODAY: 33 NM

DOCKED AT:      WHITEHALL TOWN WALL (FREE/NO POWER)

                             WHITEHALL, NY

SUNRISE: 5: 17   SUNSET: 8:38

HIGH: 76             LOW: 61

TODAY’S FOUR LOCKS WERE A REPEAT: 6

1. LOCK C5      20’LIFT    CANAL MILE 28.3      SCHUYLERVILLE

2. LOCK C6      10’ LIFT    CANAL MILE 32        FORT MILLER

3. LOCK C7      10’ LIFT    CANAL MILE 39.9     FORT EDWARD

4. LOCK C8      11’ LIFT    CANAL MILE 42        FORT EDWARD

5. LOCK C9     16’ DROP    CANAL MILE 47.9   SMITH'S BASIN 

6. LOCK C11   12’ DROP    CANAL MILE 57.1   WHITEHALL

Our Sunday morning in Schuylerville found us at Eli’s for a taste of their country biscuits and sausage gravy. There is a great little market right next door too. Byron’s was deceptively large and well stocked. They even have a butcher counter tucked in the back. A good stop for any boater.

Just a mile ahead of the marina we entered Lock C5 with Mike following closely behind us in his boat. Todd and Bob were quick to help with the lines and we again appreciated the help. Mike soon tired of tagging along behind and tied his boat up to Quest for a tow. At each lock he would climb back into his boat and hold it to the wall then it was back in Quest for the ride.

BOB HELPING WITH LINES AS WE LEAVE SCHUYLERVILLE

TODD JUST ENJOYING A BREAK

MARIA CHEERING THE GUYS ON

MIKE TIED UP IN THE LOCK

Lock C7 marked the beginning of the 24 mile dug canal that would eventually bring us into Whitehall. At Lock C8 we were raised to the “summit level” of 139’ above sea level. Beginning at C9 we were lowered in the locks.

The Hudson River Dredging Project, conducted by GE, takes place between Locks C6 and C8. We saw excavators on deck barges that were used to dig up the sediment that they deposited into the large hopper barges. The barges are towed to Lock C7, make the transit then dock just south of C8 where the sediment is off-loaded and processed.

HUDSON ROVER DREDGING

PROJECTS VESSELS

WE WONDERED ON WHICH "PROJECT" THESE DIRTY PIGGIES
WERE WORKING ON

The last lock of the day was Lock C11 (there is no C10) then on to Whitehall. At their nice free dock we found they no longer provided power to the many boaters that pass through. Shame on them! We won’t be spending time or money here in their community now.

After helping us to secure Quest, all of our guests quickly dispersed. Some to pick up cars left in Schuylerville and others to tow boats home. Thanks for joining us!

6/25/2011 WATERFORD, INTO THE CHAMPLAINE CANAL TO SCHUYLERVILLE

SATURDAY

TOTAL MILES TRAVELED TODAY: 23 NM

DOCKED AT: SCHUYLER YACHT BASIN ($1.75/FT W/P)

SCHUYLERVILLE, NY

SUNRISE: 5: 17       SUNSET: 8:39

HIGH:  73                LOW: 60

TODAY’S FOUR LOCKS : 4

1. LOCK C1 15.2 FOOT LIFT CANAL MILE 5.8 TOWN OF HALF MOON

2. LOCK C2 18.5’ LIFT CANAL MILE 9.3 MECHANICVILLE

3. LOCK C3 25.5’ LIFT CANAL MILE 11.9 MECHANICVILLE

4. LOCK C4 16’ LIFT CANAL MILE 13.9 SCHUYLERVILLE

Before continuing north into the Champlain Canal we had to do our final lowering duties which consisted of dropping the dingy davit and reducing the mast height even more. It turned out to be more of a job than Dan anticipated but we got it done and were ready for the Champlain Canal. After hearing that Erie’s Lock 8 had closed down due to high water flow, we did add the task of calling the Lock 1 on the Champlain, just to make sure they were open. Once we had their OK, we were off!

SEE, I AM REALLY ON THE BOAT!

The deceptively serene countryside lining the banks was interrupted by the swiftly churning waters resulting from so much. The Hoosic River flows in from the east, bringing waters from the Taconic Mountains in Massachusetts and our own verdant Vermont. Soon farmland can be seen bordering the waterway.

BEAUTIFUL GREEN SHORELINE

THE RAGING WATER AS IT ESCAPES FROM THE DAM

While most of the day proved to be void of rain, we got to dock during a downpour at the lovely Schuyler Yacht Basin.

Mike Wraga put his 18’ fishing boat in the canal just below Whitehall and locked down to meet us in Schuylerville. Bob and Maria Riley dropped off car in Whitehall and drove another on to the Quest. They will ride with us tomorrow to Whitehall. Craig and Alexis Porter also hopped over to join with us all at Amigos Cantina for a yummy meal and some tasty margaritas

AFTER A DAY ON THE WATERS, MIKE FOUND US

6/24/2011 BLAIN'S BAY MARINA, THROUGH THE FLIGHT OF FIVE AND BACK TO WATERFORD VISITORS CENTER

FRIDAY

TOTAL MILES TRAVELED TODAY:  6 NM

DOCKED AT:      WATERFORD TOWN WELCOME CENTER (FREE W/P/WI-FI)

                              WATERFORD, NY

SUNRISE: 5: 17    SUNSET: 8:36

HIGH: 75               LOW: 61

TODAY’S FOUR LOCKS WERE A REPEAT: 5

1. LOCK E6      WATERFORD

2. LOCK E5      WATERFORD

3. LOCK E4      WATERFORD

4. LOCK E3      WATERFORD

5. LOCK E2      WATERFORD

Our deliciously quiet night was interrupted about 5 AM by an intermittent banging and thumping sound. Search as we might, the only explanation we could come up with was that it was fish bumping on the hull. Weird!

Since today’s journey is so short we didn’t pull out until nearly 10:00 and were completely through the closely knit Flight of Five by noon. We started with a green light from the keeper of Guard Gate 2 then, with hardly time to remove our work gloves, we transited locks 6,5,4,3, and 2.

GUARD GATE 2

Our journey was witnessed by a family at one lock, folks fishing off the banks, a heron in flight in the canal and the fabulous lock tenders who keep all us boaters moving along.

THE HERON'S IMPRESSIVE FLIGHT

 We have begun to notice some of the ingenious and effective fenders on the tugs.  Some are made from old tires while others are intricately woven ropes.  Here are a few that we saw today.

THESE CUT TIRES PIECES MAKE A GREAT TUG FENDER

THIS HEAVY DUTY WOVEN ROPE FENDER ADDS A DENSE PROTECTION

THIS RENDITION OF A "BAD HAIR DAY" PROTECTS THE BOW

We passed by the full Waterford dock, turned around in some less turbulent water and crept back in attempt to squeeze in. Lucky for us, one of the boats made a call Lock E2 to request an opening and vacated an adequate spot on the dock wall for Quest. Super!

After all of our docking chores were completed we walked into town with the Porters for a lunch at J.C. McGreivey’s. All good things must come to an end and today marked the end of the Porter short visit with us. They took a taxi to their car at Albany Airport then scooted on home to Vermont. They were so much help this last week. Craig had the line handling down pat and Alexis used her great culinary talents to keep us well fed. Oh yes, let’s not forget those killer drinks she made. That being said, we are planning on meeting them tomorrow night at Amigos Cantina in Schuylerville.

The following map shows the path we followed since starting travel on the Erie Canal on the 15th.  We left from Waterford at the Hudson and worked our way to Sylvan Beach on Oneida Lake then turned around and motored back.  Each stop was different than the previous, each lock an adventure.  Tomorrow we will start our trip up the Champlain Canal.

FROM THE HUDSON RIVER ON THE RIGHT TO ONEIDA LAKE ON THE LEFT

6/23/2011 THE FONDA TERMINAL TO BLAIN'S BAY MARINA

THURSDAY

TOTAL MILES TRAVELED TODAY: 35 NM

DOCKED AT:        BLAIN’S BAY MARINA ($1.50/FT WITH BOAT US, W/P)

                              COHOES, NY

SUNRISE: 5:18      SUNSET: 8:37

HIGH: 70                LOW: 66             RAIN, RAIN, RAIN ALL DAY

TODAY’S FOUR LOCKS WERE A REPEAT: 6

   1. LOCK E12    TRIBES HILL

   2. LOCK E11    AMSTERDAM

   3. LOCK E10    CRANESVILLE

   4. LOCK E11    ROTTERDAM

   5. LOCK E8     GLENVILLE

6. LOCK E7       NISKAYUNA

The NY Canal workers gave us a wave as they boarded their vessel docked in front of us and cast off for their day’s work. Thanks guys!

THE NY BARGE THAT WAS DOCKED IN FRONT OF QUEST,
OFF FOR ANOTHER FULL DAY OF WORKING ON THE CANAL



OUR INDUSTRIAL DOCK AT THE FONDA TERMINAL



Dan found that there was a nearby Duncan Donuts when he connected into their Wi-Fi. He offered to treat us all to donuts and set off on his bike to find it. Mission accomplished, he was soon back on board with the booty.



Along with the rain we are experiencing swift currents and much debris in the canal waters. Dan is really earning his pay (HA!) as he dodges the floating trees and fights the agitated currents. Just before reaching Lock E9 we spotted this foggy vista to our starboard side.

WATER GUSHES FROM THE DAM

DODGING THE FLOATING LOGS

LIMBS AND LOGS IN THE LOCK

ERIE FOG



Today we finally saw the Erie Canals notable tug Urger. Built in 1901, she began her life as a fish tug on Lake Michigan and was often requested to assist the US Lifesaving Service due to her seaworthiness. In 1922 she was purchased by the NY Department of Public Works and put to work in the canal system. Although she was originally steam-powered, she now has a 1930s direct reversing diesel engine. To go in the opposite direction her engines have to be shut down, redirected and started again in reverse. To go forward you must reverse the procedure and restart again.

THE HISTORIC URGER

All day we traveled on with misty skies. Waterfalls sprang from every possible crevice in the shore lined cliffs.



LITTLE WATERFALLS SPROUTING ALL ALONG THE SHORE

 

After passing through Lock E7 and under the Twin Bridges, we docked at Blain’s Bay Marina for the night. There was both water and power but only one 50 AMP hook up. The lovely Century House restaurant on Route 9 sent a car to pick us up and we had the most enjoyable evening with great food, superb service, a cozy ambiance and some lovely wine. It was a nice end to a rainy day.

BLAIN'S BAY MARINA

6/22/2011 ILION TO THE FONDA TERMINAL

WEDNESDAY

TOTAL MILES TRAVELED TODAY:      36 NM

DOCKED AT:     FONDA TERMINAL (FREE, P)

                            FONDA, NY

SUNRISE: 5:20   SUNSET: 8:39

HIGH: 73            LOW: 60

TODAY’S FOUR LOCKS WERE A REPEAT: 6

   1. LOCK E18    JACKSONBURG

   2. LOCK E17    LITTLE FALLS

   3. LOCK E16    MINDENVILLE

   4. LOCK E15    FORT PLAIN

   5. LOCK E14    CANAJOHARIE

6. LOCKE13 RANDALL

Pelting rain and claps of thunder arrived at the Quest this morning and the precipitation stayed with us all day. Now, normally we don’t mind traveling in the rain but when you are continually going outside to tend the ropes while transiting a lock it can be a little “off-putting”.

The trusty work barges and tugs carried on with their work, out there in fair weather or foul.

WORKING ON PRESERVING THE ROCK BANKS

THE ROOSEVELT

I LOVE THE INTRICATELY BRAIDED ROPE FENDERS

In Lock E17 we were joined by a mother duck and her brood as we locked down. They happily dined on the vegetation clinging to the lock walls as the water dropped.

OUR LOCK-MATES

The English Georgian style mansion near Lock E16 was built by Nicholas Herkimer and is now a NY State Historical Site. Mr. Herkimer, a descendant of the original German immigrants to this area and a wealthy landowner, distinguished himself in the Revolutionary War before being mortally wounded.

THE HERKIMER HOME

Plan “A” for the day was to tie up at the Canajoharie Village dock but due to two sailboats parked right, smack dab in the middle; we were forced to move on east to the Fonda terminal. We tied up behind one of the NY Canal Authority vessels, drug out the electrical cord to plug into their free power and spent an enjoyable evening aboard Quest listening to the sounds of the rain.

DAN HOOKING UP POWER IN THE RAIN

6/21/2011 SYLVAN BEACH TO ILION, NY

TUESDAY

TOTAL MILES TRAVELED TODAY:      38 NM

DOCKED AT:      ILION MARINA ($1/FT W/P)

                             ILION, NY

SUNRISE: 5:22      SUNSET: 8:42

HIGH: 85               LOW: 54

TODAY’S FOUR LOCKS WERE A REPEAT: 4

     1. LOCK E22      ROME

     2. LOCK E21      ROME

     3. LOCK E20      MARCY
   
     4. LOCK E19     FRANKFORT

We did only four locks today and had a nice and easy time of it. How nice it is to have the Porters helping to man the lines.

All the locks are similar but each is unique. Some of the lock walls are concrete and some are lined with steel. A few of them have been refurbished within the last few years and others are badly in need of some refitting. While they all have hanging lines to grab, only a few have secured cables or piped to attach your own lines to. The zebra mussels have invaded these waters as seen by their presence on the lock wall.

STEEL LINED LOCK IN MUCH NEED OF REPAIR

ZEBRA MUSCLES IN THE ERIE CANAL LOCKS

Quest passed several of the blue and gold maintenance vessels throughout the day as they performed their duties to keep the canals in good working order for us lucky boaters.

A BLUE AND GOLD TUG TOWING DREDGING PIPES

Ilion was our port for the night. There was good power and water right there and the town was close by. We hope to visit the Remington Arms Museum tomorrow before continuing our journey back to the Waterford. In 1828 Eliphalet Remington opened up a small factory here to produce his now-famous Remington rifles. In 1856 they were also manufacturing farm tools and bye 1878 they had expanded to add sewing machines and typewriters. And it all started right here, folks!

6/20/2011 UTICA TO SYLVAN BEACH AT THE ENTRANCE TO ONEIDA LAKE

MONDAY

TOTAL MILES TRAVELED TODAY:      27 NM

DOCKED AT:              MARINERS LANDING MARINA

                                    SYLVAN BEACH AT LAKE ONEIDA

SUNRISE: 5:22          SUNSET: 8:45

HIGH:  82                  LOW:  51

TODAY’S LOCKS:    3

     1. LOCK E20      16’ LIFT         MARCY      18.22 MILES TO E21

     2. LOCK E21      26’ DROP      ROME           1.35 MILES TO E22

     3. LOCK E22      24.1 DROP    ROME          28.65 MILES TO E23 W. OF LAKE ONEIDA

After a quick shopping trip and returning the Porter’s rental car we made a late getaway from Utica and entered Lock E20. How nice it is to have Craig and Alexis here to lend a hand with the lines! This lock has a raised observation platform for spectators to view the lock’s activity. The New York State Canal System maintenance watercrafts continue to charm us with their signature blue and gold paint theme and eclectic assortment of vessels.

CRAIG HANDLES THE AFT LINES

        LOCK
  E20



THE ELEVATED OBSERVATION PLATFORM

NEW YORK CANAL SYSTEM TUGS

MINI-TUG

 During our leisurely cruise to lock E21, this contrast between the smoothly rounded train cars and the sharp angles of the railroad bridge reminded us of the randomness of beauty. Stop and smell the roses and take in mans’ enterprising feats along the way.

THIS ARTISTIC VIEW COURTESY OF MOTHER NATURE
AND MANS' INGENUITY

Lock E21 in Rome (as mentioned in the Erie Canal Song) was the first Erie Canal lock that we descended instead of lifting. The process is sooooo much smoother. In a little more than a mile we were again dropping in lock E22.

    DESCENDING AT LOCK E21

     THEN LOCK E22

Nearing Oneida Lake we began to pass some nice river homes on the banks. We slipped into the lake for a quick “look-see” and found the Verona Beach Lighthouse (1917) that was erected to mark the entrance into Wood Creek Canal at the east end of the lake.

VERONA BEACH HOME

CHECKING OUT ONEIDA LAKE

VERONA BEACH LIGHTHOUSE

THE SYLVAN AMUSEMENT PARK ROLLER COASTER

Sylvan Beach developed as a desirable resort during the 19th century. It has a popular beach and is home to the Sylvan Amusement Park with 21 rides, including a roller coaster.

After our short boat tour we returned to the canal to dock at Mariners Landing, slurp up some Quest Quenchers that Alexis made, walk into town for dinner at Eddie’s Restaurant (maybe not so great) and spend a restful night in Sylvan.

OUR MARINA FOR THE NIGHT