Waterford, NY

Day 3, Monday, June 2

Cool start to the day and we were on our way early with Skip behind us motoring in his sailboat. He turned north into the lock and as we headed south the lockmaster informed us that two tugs had just locked through and they would probably let us pass them. He obviously didn’t know our boat very well because even if we wanted to pass we couldn’t go fast enough. The tug right in front of us was named Champlain and when we got to the next stop at lock 6 we all hailed the lockmaster. He didn't answer and seemed to be MIA. After a while tug Champlain untied, sped into the middle of the channel, spun in a 360 and pulled up to the lockmaster’s hut. Apparently this got his attention because we were then informed that we could lock through because the tugs were waiting for a barge that was coming up through and he had to drop the lock for that anyway. Thank you very much.

 

John at the helm - note the green clothes pin on the windshield -
there is a red one on the other side so we know which side to keep the
channel markers on - thanks for the idea, Craig Lewis!



As we pulled out of the lock, the barge was approaching and John hailed the captain to see whether to go port or starboard. The Captain replied, “Let’s make it a two whistle.”  Apparently, one whistle means port and two means starboard. So we happily passed on our starboard sides. John already knew that from taking the captain’s course but I learned something new.
 




This is the tug Big Bend, one of the ones working the canal
They are not the traditional tugboats we think of

 

Waiting for a lock to open -I'm holding the grimiest old line so far.
It was covered with cobwebs, green moss and the bottom
had cockleburs? Thank goodness for my gloves!



The rest of the day was uneventful and we finally went through lock 1 and turned right, or east, into Waterford. We were surprised at being the only boat there because it is usually a very busy place. A half an hour later a 45’ boat pulled in and they were flying a looper burgee! John helped them tie up and we learned that they were Sherri and Randy from Michigan on their Californian named Priorities. They had started the loop late last summer, spent the winter in Florida and now were on the northern leg back to their home port.

We made plans  with them to walk into town for dinner at McGreivey's - We had a good dinner and good conversation. They had a lot of experience to share - more new friends!

Captain's Log

2 June 2014 Monday:
Departed Fort Edward 7:45 am
Clear cool am gradual warming to 80 degrees
Travel time 6 hr. 45 min, engine hours 6.9
Locked thru Champlain locks 6-1 (6 locks)
Arrival at Waterford, NY 2:30 pm

Day 4 Tuesday, June 3

We decided to stay for the day in Waterford, enjoy the small town and walk to the grocery store to get a few things. It is an historic old town and was named because it was the major fording place for the Mohawk River.

View from the bridge - Serenity in front of the Welcome Center

Rain threatened for most of the day, but it was sunny and warm as we watched the dark clouds off to the west move north. We had settled in for a nice visit on Sherri and Randy’s boat  at about 4:30 when the wind picked up and the thunder storms moved through. Tomorrow promises to be a good day and we will start our way through the Erie Canal.

Ornate old home in Waterford

There were beautiful peonies at the Welcome Center

Stay tuned.