Days Events:

Wx - forecast 62/84, wds W4, cloudy.

Travel - We have begun another -- our 'final' -- phase of the season - the Erie Canal. It was built originally in 1825, but significantly altered in 1903 to be what we see today; is 340 miles, has 34 locks [we will only go through 22 of them, because we turn off at Three Rivers onto the Oswego River/Canal up to L.Ontario], and has changed from commercial to mostly recreational now; with a lot of tourism. The canal intertwines with the Mohawk River for most of the way on the eastern segment, which is what we will be on -- so we go back and forth between the two.

Each lock is 300ft x 44ft wide x 12ft deep; the canal itself guaranteed to be 123 ft w and 12 ft deep. There are marinas and municipal docks along the route. Normally a pass must be purchased to use the canal but it has been waived this year due to Covid.

We left Waterford and immediately entered the first lock [#2 -- we went through #1 at Troy] at 07:30. The first five locks are called the Waterford Flight and are within 2 miles of the beginning; each has a lift of 34 ft; you cannot stop within the Flight. It took us 2 hrs to go through that section, finishing at 09:30, which is faster than usual, or so we were told -- likely related to there being only 3 boats [although one was a rather big Fire Boat], and because they have just changed to a new system of having only two west bound locking times [07:30 & 12:30] so that all 5 locks are open and ready for the group to go through [don't have to wait for someone who is East bound to exit a lock].

Not as much room within the lock as we are used to on the Tennessee River system. See photos.

Lots of neat and beautiful scenery along the way. The channel is well marked - just have to stay in it! Max. speed is 10 mph on the canal and 5 mph around marinas, bridges, locks; though a sign informed us 45 mph was max on the river itself - we don't need to worry about getting a ticket.

Marina - the Schenectady Yacht Club is private, in Schenectady, and has 70 slips [all perpendicular to the shore] with 6 transients on their face & fuel dock. We are docked at the end of the fuel dock, immediately next to the bridge. Great dockmaster, very helpful.

Photos - Margs nocturnal habits resulted in a couple last night at Waterford.

-- the beginning of the Erie Canal - sign at Waterford;

-- the locks require everyone to have a life jacket on if on the deck; and every boat must be secured, using ropes, cables, or pipes -- not every lock has the same options -- some may have only ropes, others only pipes, others ropes [3/4" min.] and cables [3/4"]; a shot showing Marg holding a rope with the lock gate in the background; another one shows the 3/4" twisted/stranded wire cable covered in a rubber sleeve, which we loop a line around to hold the boat to the wall [similar to a pipe technique but easier]. You are not allowed to tie-off the ropes or the lines around the cables/pipes, to your boat cleats, because they could get jammed/caught and the boat would be 'hung-up' or 'hung-down' [as we saw in the Dismals Canal]. There is a fair bit of turbulence when they first begin to push water [gravity feed] into the lock along the center of the floor and it takes some strength from both of us [Marg on bow, me either on stern or midships] to keep us from having either end pushed out too far; we now have already decided we prefer to have a cable to which I can loop a line midships with Marg holding a bow line to give us better control than one of us at each end.!! Plus, their ropes are indeed green slime coated - you really must wear gloves. Plus, the fenders do take a beating. However, it doesn't take long [5 min.-10min.] for the 34 ft lift to be done and it really is only the first 1 minute that is a problem. There is a shot looking along the lock wall toward the Fire Boat behind us - an interesting perspective.

-- one of a footbridge [they are across the canal, each having its own number, just like each car bridge and each lock is numbered - e.g. Lock E6 is Lock 6; Bridge E-8; etc.]; and a nice one of a suspension bridge; and of the lush greenery along the river/canal.

-- there are 'Guard Gates' every few locks; these are usually open but can be closed [we go under them! - see photo] to help control loss of water; if some part of a lock/canal wall were to fail, the gate would keep all the water behind it from pouring through the breach. The Admiral was on the aft deck when we went under this one that had just been raised - and she got wet and wasn't pleased [I should have warned her].

-- a couple at sunset - one showing the cliffs across from the marina; the other through the arch on the bridge looking upstream on the River.

Humor - Dave Nisbet sent a few funnies:

-- My husband purchased a world map...gave me a dart and said "throw this and wherever it lands I'm taking you for a holiday when this pandemic is over". Turns out, we're spending two weeks behind the fridge.

-- Dep't of Health is looking to hire couples married for 7 years or more to educate people on social distancing.

[thanks to Dave - and to others who help keep our humor reservoir filled]

Admirals Desk:

I don't have much to add. Today was all about the locks and Rob pretty much covered that already. Everything went well, but I suspect I'm going to have some sore muscles in the morning. It's hard to hold a floating condo in position with a rope! I had to hold on until Rob was able to leave the helm and grab another rope.

And the ropes were covered in green slime!😝 So are my clothes. Gonna wear them again tomorrow since it will be a repeat of today. I know, gross!! Had to put sox on to come inside. The boat and fenders look pretty grubby as well.

Boat sightings: we haven't seen anything worth noting until today. There is a very nice Great Harbor N37 docked behind us. Also long the Loop.

Making Curry Cajun chicken tonight. An old favorite. [it is fantastic - a favorite of mine (Capt.)]

That's it for today.

Maintenance:

Steering - worked well. Checked both helms hydraulic port fills and good amount of fluid visible. No leaks in lazarette either.

Oils, etc - all ok.

Beer - had a Newcastle Brown Ale - stronger than a 'pale', but still good.

Covid - the marina folks only require masking in the office; the canal system staff all wear masks whenever in close contact with anyone else it appears.

That's all today.

Tomorrow - we head for Tribe Hill, m.43.5 [26 miles], and will tie up on the west side of that lock - a free dock, no services, so we will run our generator all night.

Stay safe folks. We are at T-11 days to Horizon Marina [where we put D.A. in heated storage].

Comments:

Dd - 23 Aug 2020 | 05:00 So interesting! Great history! Love the pics.