June 6 - 14, 2015 ::: Mechanicville, NY to Ft. Edward to Whitehall to Chipman Point to Burlington to Rouses Point,NY

 

 

The New York Canal System has provided docking in Mechanicville, Fort Edward, and Whitehall.  Each location is downtown and provides a place to dock with power and water.  SONATA enjoyed all three starting first with Mechanicville.  Here we docked behind the Canal System tug WATERFORD . . . which was unoccupied while we were present, however, a nearby Mechanicville elementary school class came down for a tour and presentation on the waterway.

 

 

 Locking through usually is not a problem.  We place a large orange fender ball near the stern and another just forward of amidships to keep SONATA off the lock wall.  In the curve toward the bow we place two smaller fenders to keep the forward portion of SONATA from touching the wall as we lie alongside the wall for the water movement in the lock.

 

 

 After leaving a lock you can look back to the lock and usually see a dam that is operated along with the lock, and, the level of water that you have just stepped down.

 

 

 On the Champlain Canal the bridge clearance, distance between the water and the bottom of the bridge . . . is some places is only 17 feet.  SONATA's air draft, height, is about 16 feet.  When passing under the bridges it can take your breath away . . . looks like you are, for sure, going to hit the bridge.

 

 

 The entrance to the Lock as we approach.

Along the canal there are water-gates in place to stem the flow of water as may be required . . . they too are up about . . . 17 feet.

 

 

 We enjoyed two days at the Fort Edward docks.  The only problem was the rain of cotton-wood puffs that covered the grass . . . and SONATA.

We attended the Sunday morning church service at the Village Baptist Church which was less than a block away from SONATA's location.  A very enjoyable service, the organ was played at the beginning of the service and at the end.  Either the organ or the piano was used as the backup instrument for the hymns that we sang from the hymnal book.  A fine sermon along with communion; a terrific beginning to the day.

Outside the church we had discovered that Fort Edward was where Solomon Northup (movie 12 Years a Slave) lived before he went to Saratoga, NY and accepted an offer to go to Washington, DC to perform with his violin (Solomon was kidnapped and sold into slavery in Washington). 

 

 

 

Charlie rode his bike to the Old Fort House (the Sherwood House), Bonnie walked.  A beautiful cool day.  The Old Fort House was constructed from the buildings at the abandoned Fort Edwards.  It was reported that George Washington had lunch there . . . and on the second floor Solomon was a tenant, one bedroom, with his wife and family . . . before his trip to Saratoga.

 

 

 SONATA is inside the gates of Lock C9, Champlain Canals.  Below is one of the paper charts that were used as we navigated the canal system. 

 

 

Out of Lock C9 SONATA continues on toward its next stop.  This is part of the canal system, and, the waterway is narrow.

 

 

 The clouds and the mountains come right down to the water.  Beautiful scenery that a photograph cannot capture.

 



Our approach to Chipman Point Marina and dockage for two nights....a very pleasant location 

 

 

 Just north of Chipman Point we had a good view of Fort Ticonderoga from the South as we proceeded toward the Champlain Bridge shown below.

 

 

 

We enjoyed a great day cruising Lake Champlain and arrived at Burlington, VT in the early afternoon.  Burlington is a vibrant lakeside city that offers year round activities.  Bonnie enjoyed walking along Church Street Marketplace with its shops, cafes and buskers displaying their talents. 

Charlie and his brother John, who joined us for the weekend, spent their time on the some 14 miles of bikepaths in the area.

The Discover Jazz Festival was in full swing and we had bands playing day and night.

 

 

 

 

It's Saturday morning and everyone comes out to shop at the Farmer's Market.  There is so much variety, so many different wares, ethnic foods, and fabulous fresh fruits and vegetables.  Does not get much better than this!  Great breads and pastries.  YUM!!

 

 

 

A beautiful sunset to celebrate the end of our visit to this memorable city which has become one of our favorites. 

Departing, we pass the Burlington Boathouse Marina and head to Rouses Point, NY, our last stop in the US before going through Canadian customs and into Canada.