0600 June 8, 2011; we shoved off at 0630 and entered Lock #1, The Federal
Lock at 0655. All locks on the Erie Canal open at 0700. I was followed into the
lock by two trawlers and two sail boats with their mast taken down. You cannot
sail across the Erie Canal because there are too many low bridges.
We passed through the “5 Steps” of locks that raise you 165 feet from the
Hudson River to the Mohawk River in about 2.5 hours. The Locks in this section
are only a few minutes apart but passing through each lock takes about 30 – 45
minutes each. The Lock Masters are very good about having the Lock ready to
receive you and the doors are open or opening as you approach the Lock.
It took all day of beautiful cruising to travel through 11 Locks. After passing
through Lock 11 at Amsterdam, NY, I tied to the wall and kicked back. Chase
loved chasing the Geese and ducks back into the water. I met the Lock Master,
Howard, and he was very interested in the boat and my mission. He took
several pictures of the boat and a flier that he was going to make copies of at the
American Legion to pass out.
After settling in and getting Chase fed, I went across the RR to a local Italian
Restraint, called Russo’s, and had a great Lasagna dinner. After dinner, I made
it back to the boat to baton down the side curtains and wait for a very powerful
thunder storm to blow by. The storm came in and moved out like a freight train
and only rained for a minute or two but the wind made up for the rain! Yes, we
got a little damp but not soaked.
Lock at 0655. All locks on the Erie Canal open at 0700. I was followed into the
lock by two trawlers and two sail boats with their mast taken down. You cannot
sail across the Erie Canal because there are too many low bridges.
We passed through the “5 Steps” of locks that raise you 165 feet from the
Hudson River to the Mohawk River in about 2.5 hours. The Locks in this section
are only a few minutes apart but passing through each lock takes about 30 – 45
minutes each. The Lock Masters are very good about having the Lock ready to
receive you and the doors are open or opening as you approach the Lock.
It took all day of beautiful cruising to travel through 11 Locks. After passing
through Lock 11 at Amsterdam, NY, I tied to the wall and kicked back. Chase
loved chasing the Geese and ducks back into the water. I met the Lock Master,
Howard, and he was very interested in the boat and my mission. He took
several pictures of the boat and a flier that he was going to make copies of at the
American Legion to pass out.
After settling in and getting Chase fed, I went across the RR to a local Italian
Restraint, called Russo’s, and had a great Lasagna dinner. After dinner, I made
it back to the boat to baton down the side curtains and wait for a very powerful
thunder storm to blow by. The storm came in and moved out like a freight train
and only rained for a minute or two but the wind made up for the rain! Yes, we
got a little damp but not soaked.
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