Erie Canal

After two long days we are about half way through the Erie Canal portion of the trip.  We entered the Erie from the Hudson River at Troy, NY.  The Erie, constructed from 1817-1825, connects Troy to Lake Erie via Buffalo, NY.  The Oswego Canal intersects the Erie Canal at Syracuse, NY and runs to Lake Ontario.  Our route is the Erie to Oswego, across Lake Ontario to Kingston, Canada.   Originally the canals were built for commerce, but now are all recreational. 

We bought our $50 pass and were on our way!  We have 24 locks on the Erie Canal to the Oswego Canal, and seven locks on the Oswego.  Last night we spent the night on lock number seven’s wall.  The locks allow free overnight docking for boats transiting the canal. The lockmasters are New York State Canal Authority employees and are incredibly nice and full of local information.  Along the canal are small towns (hamlets) and some have docks.  The marinas are small but nice.  The scenery is wonderful, and we are in the Adirondack Mountains.  Bald Eagles, mallards and Canadian Geese are everywhere.

The only irritant is that everybody asks us if we know RJ from the alligator hunter show.  I do, but I didn't know he is the most famous person from Houma!   A lockmaster even radioed us today when he saw the boat’s homeport was Houma.  Do you know RJ he asked?  Who knew. 

We had our only security issue of the entire trip last night.  The locks are part of an extensive bike and walking trail, and people can walk on the locks, so we usually have an audience while locking through.  Last night two teenagers got on the boat’s deck while we were sleeping.  Apparently they thought the boat was empty, because when I yelled at them they ran away.  One tripped and face planted on the lock trying to run away.  I did not even have to break out Mr. Remington!

A front is coming through, and Lake Ontario is predicted to have 10’ foot seas till Thursday.  So, we will probably not cross to Canada till Friday.  Stay tuned!

Entrance to Erie Canal.

The locks have these pipes.  Put your rope around them and it rides up or down without having to re-tie.  

Waterford, NY.  The beginning of the Waterford Flight.  Five locks in succession which raise us 169 feet in less than two miles.  The highest lift in the shortest distance in the world.  

Alexis the deckhand.  The gloves are to keep the grime from the lock walls off.  

Going up.

When the water comes all the way up, the lock doors open and out you go to the next lock.  

Notice the flags at half staff.  The General killed in Afghanistan was from Troy, NY.  

This is a high school girls class out for a morning row.  

The scenery is spectacular!  

More locks-you get the picture.  

Albany on the Hudson, before turning at the Erie.