July 2-5, 2007 . . . Utica and Sylvan Beach, New York

Johnny was the "bow" person during the locking through and Anne was the supervisor. Actually, Anne did a terrific job of staying-out-of-the-way. It is great having, good friends, companions, share this experience.
On the way to Utica we came through Lock #19, interesting in that the railroads that had always been on the North side of the canal, now shifted to the South side . . . just before the Lock. We squeezed under the railroad bridge to enter Lock #19.


Utica provided a free dock, free parking space, free 30amp electric, and water; and, a closed restaurant. Kitties on the Canal was closed and prospective new owners stopped by SONATA to talk about business on the canal.


From Little Falls to Ilion was 9 miles, from Ilion to Utica was 11 miles . . . and all along the canal you would think you were alone in the world; water in front and behind, woodland on both sides. At Utica a closed restaurant . . . then just over the hill . . . a city. We went to Friendly's for lunch.


In Lock #20 SANDPIPER caught up with us and went in fist. We had last seen SANDPIPER when they docked beside us in Cape May. This lock was our last "up-Lock" on the Erie.


Lock #21 and we are on our way DOWN.


Locks #21 and #22 Bonnie maintained SONATA's position alongside the lock wall. Some locks had a rope to hold on to, some a cable to grab and put a line around, and some a pipe from top to bottom to secure a line to.


The 4th of July. At Sylvan Beach on the East side of Oneida Lake. Fireworks at 10:00 p.m. that ran an echo up the canal and back. A great light show for the evening. We started the day with CD's blasting "God Bless America" and other appropriate songs for the 4th.
Charlie and Bonnie on the Erie, Lock #22.

June 30 - July 1, 2007 . . . Ilion, New York, on the Erie

From Little Falls to Ilion we came through Lock #18 with three other boats. A short lift of 20'.


Ilion is the home of Remington Arms. We toured the museum "Where the history of a company tells the history of a country." In the museum I found the same shotgun that was my father's. Nice town with many stores. Today there will be a fish fry and cook-out here at the marina, with a band. We will join them after going to church.

June 30, 2007 . . . Little Falls, New York - on the Erie

Leaving the dock at Canajoharie we had an easy passage through Lock #14. Only had to dodge some of the waterfowl crossing the canal.


The water is flat, calm, and the surroundings just great.


After completing Locks #15 and #16 we came to the impressive Lock #17. This lock is one of two locks in North America where the entrance gate is LIFTED ABOVE the entering boater as opposed to the opening of "barn-like" doors for entry. Once you pass under the dripping door the boat must be secured on the South dock wall due to turblence in the lock when it is filling.


Inside the lock is like being in a walled canyon ... the lift here is just over 40 feet.


The Little Falls Canal Harbor provided a new dock with 50/30 amp electric, water, restrooms/shower, a reception/reading area, and a short walk to town.


Once inside the entrance gate is lowered and you are "trapped" inside waiting for the lock to fill and raise the boat to the top of the lock wall. Hang on to the side and enjoy the ride...


The early morning fog on the canal was caused by the warmer water and the cool night air, upper 40's, with an expected high today in the upper 60's or low 70's. Great sleeping. Passage today is to Ilion, the home of Remington Arms.

June 27-29, 2007 . . Amsterdam & Canajoharie, New York

Amsterdam, former residence of Kirk Douglas, supplied a new Park and dock for SONATA and CANDY DISH. SONATA remained here two days through a series of intense thunderstorms.


The previous picture of Amsterdam Riverlink Park was taken from the pedestrian tower one has to climb to cross over the CSX railroad. AMTRAK or a CSX freight appears to pass every 20 minutes. Great train sounds throughout the day and night. The tracks so far parallel the Canal on the North side.


Minutes away from the Riverlink Park Dock we were approaching Lock #11. At the lock you could observe trees down around the lock grounds all from the previous days of thuderstorms.


After Lock #11 . . . comes Lock #12, surprise, surprise. Each one is slightly different. In some you hold on to ropes that have been living in the water ... slime, others have poles or cable fastened to the lock walls and you put a line around the pole or cable to hold the boat close. Bonnie has to place SONATA gently against the lock wall so others can grab the pole, cable, or rope . . . She does a great job and theh lock personnel love her North Carolina accent on the radio.


With AMTRAK on the North side I-90 is on the South side. Some people are rushing to work at 70-80 mph while we travel at 7-8 mph.


Canajoharie, the home of Beech-Nut Baby Food, provided us with a free dock, 50 amp electric service and water. The town was just a short walk away with meatloaf for lunch and pizza for dinner. The 28th of June, last year, this area was under water. Our lunch site which was up hill in town was destroyed by the water and other town stores has more than three feet. TV stations were out and about conducting "one-year-later" interviews.

June 26, 2007 . . . First Day up the Erie Canal

Alongside the Waterford wall we prepared to depart, over to Lock #2, and through the Erie Canal. The first boat is the canal charter barge, then SONATA, then CANDY DISH. The other Loopers had departed Waterford on Monday, the 25th. We will surely see them in other places along the way. See: www.canals.state.ny.us


Inside Lock #2 looking back toward Waterford after SONATA was lifted some 33.6 feet.
Lock #2 open and waiting for our entry. All we need is the green light to proceed inside.


After Lock #6 we approach Guard Gate #1. These guard gates along the canal are to control the flow of water downstream. Looks close for SONATA to slide under.



Sitting in Lock #4 looking at Lock #5. The first five locks, Locks #2 - #6, known as the Waterford Flight, raises the boat 169 feet in less than two miles. This is reportedly the highest set of lift locks in the world.


Lock #10. This lock, dam, was severely damaged last year due to heavy rains. Construction work is ongoing to build a cofferdam around the middle section which appears to be scheduled for replacement. From here we proceeded on to Amsterdam and Riverlink Park. A nice location with trains going by every 20 to 30 minutes.

June 24-25, 2007 . . . Waterford and side trips to Hyde Park

We rented a car and took a side trip to the Hyde Park region, in particular to Springwood, the home Sarah Roosevelt . . . the mother of Franklin Delano Roosevelt. The place where he was born, grew up, married, lived, and, was buried there in the rose garden after he died in Georgia.


Lunch for the day at the Culinary Institute of America. What a place! Formerly a Jesuit school. Beautiful view of the Hudson from the front.


The last of the guilded age . . . the home of "an unassuming philanthropist" Frederick Vanderbilt sits on millionaire row along the Hudson in Hyde Park. Both the FDR estate and the Vanderbilt Mansion are part of the National Park Service. Frederick was one of the eight grandchildren of Cornelius Vanderbilt fortune who died in 1877 with an estate of $100 million.

June 21-23, 2007 . . . New York City to Waterford, New York

Tarrytown (Sleepy Hollow), North of the Tappan Zee Bridge we went ashore for lunch. Tarrytown derived its name from the Dutch wifes that complained their husbands tarryed too long at the village tavern.


Proceeding up the Hudson we passed this tug and barge . . . BUCHANNAN 12. In our Norfolk waters we often pass the tug BUCHANNAN 11. We discussed the connection by radio, Channel 13, while passing.


As we passed West Point had to call them on the radio and speak with the Dockmaster (not allowed to dock there . . . Security Reasons(?)) to let them know the Navy was passing; they wished us well . . . following seas, etc.


Sprinkled all along the Hudson
are quaint lighthouses like this one with bridges and mountain ranges in the background.


We pulled in alongside this little lighhouse and while Anne drove SONATA Bonnie, Johnny, and Charlie lowered the mast. We must be below 20' air draft to go under all the bridges on the Erie.



The mast now lowered and secured in place . . . a tug and barge in the background proceeding down the river.


Our FIRST lock. Lock #1 on the Hudson, also called the Federal Lock, located on the Hudson in Troy, New York. Bonnie did a terrific job, as usual, placing SONATA carefully in the lock.


After docking Bonnie had 6" in front; between SONATA and a canal barge one may charter for travels on the Erie; and,



Bonnie did a terrific job landing SONATA at the Waterford City Dock (free dock with electric and water). We are now in the ERIE Canal, next to Lock #2 just yards away.


And 6" in the back, between SONATA and CANDY DISH. She, Bonnie, is so good!!! A terrific, awsome, ship-handler.