Home Port at Last!

Wednesday, July 15, 2015

After celebrating with our friends at Waterford we went our separate ways. Jim and Peg were headed out the Erie Canal and we set our destination for the Champlain Canal and Lake Champlain. The first day we went through six locks along the Hudson River and we were the only boat transiting through. It was a bit windy but we had no problems at all since we are seasoned pros after all the various locks on the Loop.
We stopped at Ft. Edward in NY, took a nice walk and learned that we would be treated to a concert in the park later. The gazebo was near our boat and we had a ringside seat for the home town band that played marches and traditional music. There was even a baritone vocalist for a couple of songs - what a lovely evening!

A crowd gathered on the green at the end of the day

Captain’s Log July 15, 2015

Departed: Waterford Town Docks, Waterford, NY 7:15 am.

Engine hours: 7.5 hrs. – 793.7 total for trip
Actual hours: 7 hrs 35 mins
Miles covered 37.68 - Total for trip: 5811
Arrived: Fort Edwards Town Wall, Fort Edwards, NY at 2:50 pm.
Weather: Low clouds, light rain, North wind, cool. Gradually clr and cool, north wind 15-20.
Departed Waterford to be at Champlain Lock 1 at 0800.  Lock through 6 locks and went 38 miles to Fort Edwards. We had no delays and no company at any of the locks. We were against the current all day, but no other issues.  

Thursday, July 16, 2015

More locks and we reached Whitehall where we went through number 12 - the last lock of this trip!

 

A fawn swam across in front of us in the canal - but no
sign of it's mother

Captain’s Log Thursday, July 16, 2015

Departed: Fort Edward Town Wall at 07:45 am.
Engine hours: 4.5 hrs /total on trip 798.2
Actual Hours: 4 hours 30 minutes
Miles covered: 24.87 total for trip 5836 
Arrived: Whitehall Marina, Whitehall, NY at 12:30 pm.
Weather: Sunny and cool, north wind 10-15
Coordinated with Lock 7 so we wouldn’t have any delay for a lock through at 8am. This went quite well. Locked the rest of the way through the Champlain Canal with no delays or any other boats coming through with us.  Uneventful cruise through to Whitehall Marina at Lock 12, Whitehall, NY.
                                                        
Friday July 17, 2015

It was a beautiful start to the day except for some fog. We were ready to leave at 5:30 but the fog was getting thicker and the waterway at the south end of the lake is narrow and sometimes shallow so we waited until 7:00.
We were reminded about how beautiful our home territory is as we cruised up on the glassy water.

 

In the early hours of the morning we looked back on that last lock
in Whitehall as fog misted up from the water



Beautiful southern end of Lake Champlain as the fog lifts

The wind picked up as we went north but it was from the south so it gave us a little push. We had planned to stop halfway and stay at Kingsland Bay, but the forecast was for higher winds the next morning so we decided to push and go all the way to Malletts Bay and our home marina.  

Serenity approaches Champlain Marina   Photo by Laura W.



John is an expert now at backing the boat       Photo by Laura W.

Back in our home slip and celebrating with our faithful mascot
Christopher Croaker       Photo by Laura W.

We did it! We are back in Vermont where we started one year, a month and 17 days ago! There was a small group of boating friends to meet us and we were very glad to be back. What a trip! Everyone asks us if we would do it again. We don't plan to do the whole loop but there were many places that we would like to revisit...maybe someday...

Many, many thanks to our boat neighbors, Doug and Laura

The neighboring boat Warren Peace had a big "Welcome Home Serenity Now" sign, complete with colorful balloons attached. Doug and Laura went above and beyond in making us feel very special: bringing out champagne and appetizers and then treating us to an al fresco steak dinner cooked on the marina grill.

 

Captain’s Log July 17, 2015

Departed: Whitehall, NY at 07:00 am
Engine hours: 10.4 – 808.6 hrs total for trip
Actual hours: 10 hrs 30 min.
Miles covered 84.3 mi Total for trip: 5920
Arrived: Champlain Marina, Colchester, VT “Homeport” at 5:30 pm.
Wx: Calm, foggy then cleared off. South wind gradually increased to 15 – 20 at end of the day.  2-3 ft swells.

Had to wait for fog to lift at Whitehall before we departed. Still got underway by 7 am, very nice cruise through southern Lake Champlain. Winds gradually increased as forecasted but they were a following sea so no issues. Very nice and warm greeting by all our dock friends at home port. Total engine hours for trip 808.6. Total Statute miles were 5920. Total diesel used was 2348 gals. 

 

Completion of our Great Loop Trip!