Days Events:

Wx - forecast 66/88, fair, wds 2-7 W,

Travel - decided this a.m. to go on to Utica Historic Marina - larger city and they have water hookup! Left at 09:00, traveled 31 miles in 5.8 hrs, with 5 locks - all locks were 'easy' except for the last one, E19 at Frankfort -- we had been securing to our port side in all the locks, as recommended, but he asked us to use starboard and we quickly realized why when the port gate didn't open and we had to go through only the stbd one - the gates are 22 ft wide and our beam is 14'9" so we had 3.5ft on each side; then, if that wasn't enough, when leaving, the stbd exit gate wouldn't open! So we had to zigzag around to get out, with a large tug boat sitting on the (our) portside dock just outside the lock! Obviously, this hadn't just happened as they had a working tug/barge there. Still, would have been nice to know before hand.

The Lock E17, Little Falls, is a unique one - there are only 2 in N.America where the lock gate actually lifts up and you enter underneath it [the other is in Canada] - see photo - the concrete facing over the gate is the 'frame' for lifting the gate up.

After we left E19 we had another 5 miles to Utica and it was less than relaxing - there was shoaling [sand/mud making the channel more shallow] for a mile at least; there was a dredge there starting to work however; we had depths <5 ft often. And, there was considerable tree debris with large branches and deadheads everywhere - had to be 4-eyed vigilant and play dodgem cars with them.

Marina - at St.Johnsville, we had a good nights sleep; there had been some reports on the Looper Forum that occasionally [maybe 3 times in a year - that's pretty 'occasionally'] some silly person would untie a boats lines during the night, which could be a bit disastrous; this occurred in an uncontrolled dock or free dock setting, etc. So, I looped our docking lines through the rings on the concrete bulkhead back to the boat, so there is no knot for someone to undo; when we stop at the next two spots, which will be apparently more uncontrolled, and the 2nd one is free, will add a wire cable with a lock to our mid-ship contact -- just in case -- better to have used it and not need it, than to not use it and wish you had!! :)

Utica Historic Marina: We were glad to get to Utica's Historic Marina, which is a long face dock/bulkhead with the restaurant Aqua Vino facing it [the restaurant looks after boat registration and payments]; the dock wall is steel pilings [see photo] and we were the only boat there; had to move to a different 50amp pedestal when the first one would not allow our plug to fit -- the city staffer who greeted us said many have had that problem and that we should just move to the other pedestal - which we did - but, I just had to physically pull D.A. along about 100 ft.

The dock wall is rather high, about 8-9 feet, but we tied up with a ladder at the aft deck, so can get off ok [Marg pointed out that the walkway along the wall is at the level of our sundeck!!! - see photos] We also ran our dock lines through the eye of the dock cleat in a loop back to the boat, so that no one could untie our lines in the night [unless they came on the boat which would be trespassing]. The restaurant outdoor tables are 'right there' looking at our sundeck - good thing we stay in the salon!!

Restaurant - we had take-out here, including a craft beer for me and a Chardonnay for Marg. It was good. I had crab cakes and Caesar salad, and an Italian Lemon Cake; Marg had Scallops and Clams Provencal (had mushrooms, gag) and salad.

Beer rating - I had one of their Utica local craft pale ales [Saranac -- see photo] - very nice.

Photos - a group were added to the St.Johnsville folder: took one of late sunset on the marina basin last night; and one of the mist on the adjacent Mohawk River this a.m. -- also several views of the marina setting - note the tie rings instead of cleats, and the tie posts; dock wall is indeed high, as I can walk straight off the pilothouse door deck to the dock;

-- this group are from the trip to/including Utica: of the 'typical' approach to a lock; of the Lock E17 with the 'gate' which is raised rather than hinged open; we didn't get any more lock shots as we are too busy trying to hang onto ropes and keep the boat secure in the lock.

-- several of the Utica marina/restaurant, looking north/south/west; and of their street side view; nice building.

Admirals Desk:

What began as a leisurely cruise along scenic shores got more interesting at the end. Even leisurely can be tiring, we had already done 3 locks. As always, save the best for last! The switch from port to starboard in the final lock meant untying knots! that Rob tied and moving fenders to the other side. Usually not a big deal but the Erie locks raise the boat higher than the rubrail at the top so we need extra fenders below the rubrail as well. Anyways, lots of scurrying for me to get everything moved. Rob already covered the gate situation. These locks are fairly small so maneuvering from stb to port and around a work boat right at the exit required some skillful boat driving! No gel coat left behind!

Docking today would have been easier if the tie up wall wasn't 8' high and the first power pedestal had worked and it wasn't really! hot. Another multiple shirt day.

I've decided to get groceries delivered by Instacart. Going to save my Uber outing for beer and wine.🍺🍷

Time to skulk for some nite time shots.

Good night.

Maintenance:

Coolant - noticed some coolant drippings from the air cleaner body; will look more closely tomorrow since it was the same on both engines, suggesting these are oil/coolant impregnated filters??? Will have the mechanic at Brewerton look at it.

Covid - all the restaurant staff wore masks and the patrons for supper wore masks until they were sitting at the tables. All dining was on the patio [next to our boat!].

That's all today.

Tomorrow - Marg [and maybe me, if she'll let me] goes grocery shopping with Uber.

Travel Plans - heading for Brewerton on Wed. for 2-3 nites, then turn up the Oswego Canal/River to L.Ontario, likely Saturday/Sunday, and across L.Ontario Monday, ending up in Alexandria Bay and Horizon Marina on Wed. Sept.2. Then, home to Florence the week after that.

Stay safe.

Comments:

Jerry - 25 Aug 2020: Rob, I can't remember which one, but one of the Tennessee R. Locks also has a single door that goes up and down. I'm pretty sure I remember going through it several times.

Robert & Margaret - 25 Aug 2020: Jerry, The lock at Wheeler Dam has an upstream sil that drops down, but does not lift above the lock so that boats have to pass under it - you are correct that it too has a vertical movement, but that's the difference.

Duane - 25 Aug 2020: Rob and Marg ....Cornell University is at Utica and many Canadians go there to do PHD in Animal Science. At one time long ago I considered going there

Ernie R. - 26 Aug 2020: Don’t think they are oil/coolant filters, hopefully a minor turbo cooler leak since main engines are not overheating (and we all know you don’t run them hard enough to do that!). Getting close!