6/18/2011 AMSTERDAM TO CANAL HARBOR IN LITTLE FALLS, NY

SATURDAY

TOTAL MILES TRAVELED TODAY: 37 NM

DOCKED AT:      CANAL HARBOR    315-823-2200    ($1.00/FT, POWER AND WATER)

                             LITTLE FALLS, NY

SUNRISE: 5:16          SUNSET: 8:36

HIGH: 83                    LOW: 63

TOTAL LOCKS TODAY: 7

     1. LOCK E11      12‘ LIFT     AMSTERDAM       4.57 MILES TO E12

     2. LOCK E12      11‘ LIFT     TRIBES HILL         9.68 MILES TO E13

     3. LOCK E13      08’ LIFT     RANDALL            7.9 MILES TO E14

     4. LOCK E14      08’ LIFT     CANAJOHARIE   3.35 MILES TO E15

     5. LOCK E15      08’ LIFT     FORT PLAIN        6.71 MILES TO E16

     6. LOCK E16      20’ LIFT     MINDENVILLE    7.77 MILES TO E17

     7. LOCK E18     40.5’ LIFT   LITTLE FALLS     4.19 MILES TO E 18

After leaving our dock in Amsterdam, the original home of Bigelow-Sanford Carpet Mills, we had soon transited through Lock E11 and catching a glimpse of the old lock and canal to our port side.








  LOCK E11
     

EVIDENCE OF THE OLD CANAL WAY

At lock E12 we found them sandblasting on the bridge and superstructure. Always maintenance!! Dan was happy to find that the Fonda Dirt Oval Racetrack was visible from the Quest. He and Kevin Rooney made the trip here one year to see the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Race.








  LOCK E12
               

FONDA DIRT OVAL RACETRACK

Repairs were in progress at Lock E13. They fabricated a temporary dam on the “up-side” to hold the waters back as they mended the old, ailing dam.

LOCK E13 WITH THE TEMPORARY DAM AND WORK BARGE TO THE LEFT

We enjoyed the verdant banks, balmy weather and an occasional sighting of I-90 as we traveled the 7.9 miles to Lock E14. Lock E14 and E15 have a lift of only 8’ so we were quickly done with both and onto E16 in Mindenville where we locked up 20.5’. This lock kindly reminded us to prepare for Lock E16 by having lines and fenders on our port side due to the reversed water inlets.

 LOCK E 14

 LOCK E15

 

LOCK E16

MAKE READY FOR YOUR NEXT LOCK!!!

With our port-side fenders and lines in place we entered Lock E17, the largest single lift in this canal system at 40.5’.

 

NOTE THE UNIQUE GUILLOTINE TYPE DOOR

LOOKING BACK UP AT THE LOWERING APPARATUS

Along the canal in Little Falls we found houses clinging to their precarious perches.  just one good wind-! Canal Harbor here in Little Falls was our night’s destination and we were pleased to find their clean facilities and hospitable staff awaiting our arrival. The high school graduation party being held there was a pleasant evening diversion.

AN OMINOUS FUTURE COULD BE PREDICTED FOR THESE
OLD HOMES PERCHED ON THE HILL SIDE.
OR MAYBE NOT, LOOKS LIKE THEY HAVE BEEN THERE FOR AGES

LITTLE FALLS CHANEL  HARBOR WITH QUEST AT THE DOCK
AND THE PURPLE PARTY TENT FOR THE GRADUATION PARTY