Winter Harbor Marina

We decided to stop early after traversing Lake Oneida .  We docked in Brewerton, NY. This was a nice marina with clean showers,  pretty grounds and well priced diesel.  There was no laundry here but they had old courtesy cars .   I used one to go to the local laundromat while Paul cleaned some of the canal  mud off the boat.  The marina was not near a town so we had dinner on the boat.  I thought we were finished with the Erie Canal after Lake Oneida but Paul informed me we still have about 10 more miles.  Speed limit is 10 so it is slow traveling.  At least this area seems to be cleaner.  It is supposed to get to 90 today and we have s long day so we left at 6:30 AM.

Rome, New York

We got through 2o and then the lock master told us that there were barges in 21 that would tie up the lock for 2 – 4 hours.  All the marinas are on the other side of 21.  He recommended we tie up at the park in Rome.  Here we are using the generator again . I will be so happy to get out of the Erie Canal.  The locks are so dirty and there is too much junk floating in the river.  This is not quite as bad as  the Mississippi but definitely one of my least favorite parts of the trip.  

Lock 17

Not only is this the highest lift lock on the Erie Canal, it is believed to be one of only two locks in North America where  the entrance gate is lifted above the boater. That meant I got a little shower of dirty canal water .

Canajoharie Riverfront Park

Locks close at 5 PM so our only option was to tie up to a wall at this park.  Had to use the generator for power.  Walked to town and had a nice dinner at a small local Italian restaurant.  Owners were big Trump fans.  They had signed pieces and other Trump items in a lighted glass case.   Nice owner spent time chatting with us since we were the last customer of the evening.  We were at the first lock at 7AM opening. What a change today.  Water is calm without the strong winds we experienced yesterday.

Locking On!

Lock 8 was reopening at 1 PM so we left at noon.  It was windy and the lock was full of boats.  One of the smaller speedboats had great difficulty controlling his boat and he almost hit another boat.  Lock 9 was worse.  High winds were challenging.  Dock master had to throw a rope with a ring to dinghy boat to help him get to a lock line.  After this one, we raced ahead and were able to go through Lock 10 with just one other boat. Still hard to hold the lines but much less stressful when you are not squeezed in with so many others.  We had a reservation to stay a short way up but decided to keep going in order to stay ahead of the congestion.  Too bad because the Amsterdam Marina had a big festival planned with a water skiing show.  I would think these winds will be challenging for the skiiers and I can’t imagine people getting in this dirty water.n

Schenectady Yacht Club

We were able to get through Lock 7 which put us at Schenectady Yacht Club.  This is a rural area but they had a driver who took us to the grocery store so we were able to replenish supplies. We had docktails with some boaters from Vermont and the dinghy looper from Grand Haven. Walked to get Stewart’s ice cream.  I think that was the only business nearby.

Lock 2, Waterford, New York

We tied up to the wall at the top of lock 2 waiting for the  other locks to reopen.  This is a pretty area but not much to do. I got  a haircut in the small town.  Paul made friends with the dock master and he let us hook up to power in the little building.  There are many more boats at the bottom of the lock but we wanted to get out quickly when  we could.  We were very lucky.  Locks were expected to reopen Friday or later but dock master came by Thursday morning and told us we could get through.  We made a quick exit and got through 6 locks by ourselves. There will be major boat congestion in the locks when the rest of the boats get word.  People in front of us did not seem to know if they should trust our information but they could not find the dock master and opening was not yet posted online.  Sunshine today and easy locking !  Some days are good!

Albany Yacht Club, Rensselaer, New York

We managed to avoid the major rain and made it to Rensselaer. Current is very strong here, making docking a bit challenging.  Rain started when we arrived but stopped long enough to walk to Aldi.  Not much here.  Facilities are rather old and very basic.  We finally saw blue skies the next morning.  Called the lock person and he told us locks 1 -5 were open.  Forecast is for two clear days and then more rain.  We passed Lindsay’s alma mater, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute  in Troy shortly after leaving port.  Didn’t have my phone to get a picture.  Had a scary entry into the Troy lock.  Excessive rain has caused increase in strength of current.  Paul had a hard time keeping the boat under control .  Hoping the next ones will be easier.  Got through lock 2 and then told future locks are closed.  The man we spoke to this morning was misinformed.  They don’t know when they will reopen.  We are tied up to the wall at lock 2 with no power available.

Kingston, New York

This was a small little city marina in the historic town of Kingston.  Facilities were rustic but the price reflected the limited amenities. I preferred this stop  over the last one.  We were close to grass for Lulu and location was right in the town that appears to be going through a bit of a revival.  The had one nice ladies clothing store. I asked another customer there for a recommendation for the best restaurant in town.  She suggested Ship to Shore which I would not have chosen by appearance.  Chef is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America.   Paul had a burger which he said was the best he has had.  I had grouper.  Very impressed.  More rain in the morning . Supposed to continue all day.  We just heard on the radio that one of the locks coming up has announced it is closing for a few days.  Sounds like we will be stuck and boats backed up. 

Half Moon Bay, Croton on the Hudson

Croton on the Hudson is a pretty area but I was not that impressed with this stop.  Harbormaster was very nice but he put us in a slip that was too narrow for our boat. Docking was s little challenging .  Marina has slips that are actually dockominiums.  The condos there do not allow dogs anywhere so it was a very long distance to walk Lulu and it was raining.  No laundry and bathroom shower facilities were very modest and outdated.  Chad came up from New York .  He drove us to West Marine and out to dinner.  It was good to get off the boat in the never ending east coast rain.  We wanted to go to Culinary Institute of America but we were here Sunday and it is closed Sunday and Monday.  We left Monday morning and passed West Point while traveling up the Hudson.