The Erie Canal

Tues-Sat, June 27-July 8

As soon as we made that left turn into the eastern end of the Erie Canal we pulled into the city of Waterford public dock. It is a fantastic free dock (donations appreciated)!!! You can only stay for 2 days and the charge for electriciy is $10. There are a couple restaurants and a small grocery store within walking distance.

On Thursday fellow boaters Time Out, The Journey and Magic arrived and after a short wait we all pulled in the lock to travel west to Schnectady Yacht Club. 

Up early on Friday we traveled to St. Johnsville during a big rain storm. We caught a ride to a local restaurant (okay it was more of a bar) for some awesome burgers and beer! The sun came out so we walked back to the boat.

We traveled on Saturday with more rain and mist and the scenery was beautiful.

 This part of the Erie Canal is higher than the neighboring city of Little Falls, NY.

 
We only traveled about 20 miles but the rain was moving into the area and the City of Ilion had room on their wall for all of us. Ilion is the home of Remington Firearms and Typewriter Manufacturing! They were closed for their annual vacation during our visit in Ilion.

And it was a lot of rain. On Sunday the level on the canal rose about 3 feet!  They closed the locks because of the swift current and debris. We also heard on the news that 3 people drowned near the lock just east of Ilion. 

On Monday they lowered the water level to search for bodies. And then they lowered it even more. We were almost sitting in the mud. By evening the water level was normal.

On Tuesday all the other boaters left early to be at the lock when it opened at 7 a.m. We were waiting for filters from NAPA to be delivered. By 8:30 a.m. all the boaters were back and tied up to the wall. Too much debris will keep the locks closed another day. 

Wednesday we saw a repair barge heading west.

Thursday morning we get a call that the locks will open at noon. As nice as Ilion is, we are all glad to be moving!! By 5:30 we dock at Ess-Kay Marina in Brewerton, NY. 

Verona Beach Lighthouse, Lake Oneida NY

Only one more lock and we turn north into the Oswego Canal. The weather forecast to cross Lake Ontario does not look good until Monday. It will only take one day of travel to get to the southern edge of Lake Ontario at the city of Oswego, so we stay another day at Ess-Kay. They have a courtesy car so time to visit Walmart, Target, TJ Maxx, and Home Depot.

The cruise up the Oswego Canal was relaxing and only took about 6 hours. 

Tomorrow we cross Lake Ontario into Canada!!