Crysler Park Marina, Morrisburg, Ontario

Linda enjoying the ride

Wayne and Ian as we travelled home

The Pride of Baltimore

We are home!!! Left Brockville this morning with Linda and Ian, quick trip down the river to the Iroquois Lock. Did see a tall ship, the Pride of Baltimore, that had just come up through the lock. Then a short wait and a 5" drop and we were out of the lock and headed home. Met on our arrival by daughter, son-in-law and excited granddaughters - it is good to be home. We have met so many great people, seen many places and learned so much, this has been a great trip.

Brockville Municipal Marina, Brockville, Ont

Went out for dinner with Linda and Ian

Met this boat in the channel today

Warm and sunny this morning; left Kingston marina and had an easy trip down to Ganonoque. Met Linda and Ian in Ganonoque, so nice to see them after being away so long. They joined us then for the trip down to Brockville, and will stay with us on the boat until we get to Crysler Park Marina tomorrow.

Singer Castle

Monument to victims of violence here in the park in Brockville

We are very much looking forward to getting home. 

Flora McDonald Confedertion Basin Marina, Kingston, Ontario, Canada

Our gold burgee flying (sort of) on the front of the boat

We have crossed Lake Ontario, re-entered Canada, and technically crossed our wake! As much as we enjoyed travelling in the US and meeting so many great people there, it is nice to be back in Canada. We were so lucky, got up this morning and checked the lake and the weather, Lake Ontario was dead calm and light variable winds predicted. We left shortly after 6 this morning, and it was a smooth run across the lake. No waves, no winds, and no fog. A perfect day.

Lighthouse at the entrance to Oswego off Lake Ontario

Got to Kingston by noon. Our first sight of Canada was the windmill farm on Wolfe Island; the wind was so calm the windmills were very still.
 The wind always blows here at Confederation Basin, and sure enough it was breezy as we docked, but that was OK. Wayne has put our gold burgee on the front of the boat. Walked around Kingston enjoying this beautiful town. Wayne's brother and his wife are joining us tomorrow for the rest of the trip home, so Brockville tomorrow night and Crysler Park Marina and home on Wednesday.

City Dock, Oswego, New York

Turn Right for Oswego canal, left to go to Buffalo. I like these signs.

Today, after Lock 23 on the Erie Canal we came to Three Rivers Point, where the Oswego and Seneca Rivers meet, and  turned north into the Oswego River and canal. The Oswego Canal has 7 locks, all together bringing us down 118 ft to the level of Lake Ontario. It was very calm when we left Brewerton this morning, but then the breeze came up. In lock 5 we really had trouble holding the boat against the wall with the wind in  the lock. Must have been just the direction it was coming from. We were glad to get out of that lock, and actually wondered if we should tie up there for a while. In the end we came through the last 3 locks with no problem and tied up at a municipal dock on the west side of the canal, just nicely inside the entrance from Lake Ontario. Fred and Sigrid in Jumbo are tied up across the canal from us; we walked around this afternoon and had a visit with them. Oswego is a pretty town, like many others they have built a park along the canal and made nice areas for people to sit or walk. Many people fishing from both sides of the canal today.

Turn left for Erie Canal lock 23

The weather looks good for tomorrow, so we plan to head off across the east end of the lake to Kingston tomorrow morning.

Oswego has a Tim Hortons, first one we've seen since we left Canada

Winter Harbor Marina, Brewerton, New York

Beautiful sunny day today. About 3 miles after we left the lock, left the Mohawk River and that section of the Erie Canal and entered Lake Oneida, a shallow lake that has a reputation of getting rough in any winds. We were very lucky, winds were light and the lake was very smooth. We assume there must be a lot of fish in the lake, there were many, many fishing boats out. As we were crossing the lake, Jumbo went whizzing past us with a big wave from Fred. Not sure how far they were going today.
Short trip then from the lake to the marina at Brewerton. Found Simple Interest here; they had left the lock before us this morning. Gull Wing is also here; Bill and Phyll are from Bradenton and came this far on their loop last year, they have just come back to the boat to resume their journey. We had met them in Bradenton last winter. Late this afternoon, our friends Pat and Dick on Gypsea arrived, we had not seen them for a couple of days. We plan to leave in the morning; if all goes well we will be in Oswego by tomorrow night, then potentially cross Lake Ontario to Kingston on Monday (depends on weather). Our loop is nearly over.

Wall below Lock 22 on Erie Canal

This wasn't where we had planned to stop, but it is a beautiful place.

We are definitely getting closer to home, Canada geese and mosquitoes

The water was literally like glass today

Snag boat picking up debris in the water, glad they picked up this stuff.

Met this barge on the canal today, not sure why they have grass growing on top of it.

Cloudy this morning; left Little Falls and travelled through locks in very calm water. As we approached the third lock it started to rain, while we were in the lock it poured. Of course, I am the one out on the front deck of the boat holding the rope. Oh well, I had my raincoat and I won't melt. Jeans got rather wet though.  That was the last lock going up in this part of the Erie. The last 2 locks of the day lock you down from Rome, the high point of the canal. Just before we entered the last lock, one engine coughed and sputtered a bit, then quit. The lockmaster was very helpful and helped us get the ropes on the side of the lock. We exited the lock and tied to the wall on the side. Simple Interest, another boat that we have met several times in the past few days, was already on the wall and kindly helped us get docked. Wayne spent the next couple of hours changing fuel filters and cleaning lines, hopefully it will be fine now until we get home. Had drinks this evening with Dianne and Van Carter on Simple Interest; nice opportunity to get to know them better. Tomorrow we will cross Oneida lake and go to Brewerton.

Little Falls Town Dock, Little Falls, New York

The canal has a series of  "guard gates", huge steel gates hung from steel towers resting on heavy concrete foundations, used to close certain portions of the canal for repair work or to prevent damage in case of a break in the canal embankment.

The park by the dock here at Little Falls is well done

We were surprised this morning to see fog when we got up; it did lift by about 8, so we took off then. Went up 7 locks today, including Lock 17, which is the highest on this canal and they say one of the highest in the world. However, its 40 ft lift does not compare to Wilson Lock on the Tennessee or the Carillon Lock on the Ottawa, both with lifts of over 90 ft. Mind you, once you are in a lock, the height of the lift or drop really doesn't matter, you just go with it. Lock 17 has a guillotine door, which means it lifts up and the boat enters the lock under it; works well, except there is water dripping off the door, so I had another shower as we entered the lock.  Travelled through rolling hills today, more farmland than we have seen for a while. Actually saw corn fields, and people picking up round bales of hay. Yesterday we saw corn that was growing very well, looked good. Today it seemed as if much of it was fairly newly planted; the lady here at the dock said that this area was badly flooded, they are still cleaning up. Probably also why we are seeing so much debris in the water, whole trees, tree trunks, large pieces of wood, all floating along to catch the unwary. We travelled through one lock with a boat picking up these pieces of wood, looks like he will be busy for a while.

Travelled through several locks today with Fred and his wife in their 24 ft boat "Jumbo". It attracts attention wherever it goes.

We are docked tonight at another great dock and park at Little Falls, the docks provided by the Rotary Club. It is $1./ft to stay here, including power and water, so quite a bargain. The dock is full of looper boats (plus one boat is rafted off another), so we had a looper docktail party here in the park. Lots of chat between those just starting and those of us nearly finished, plus we all enjoy the experience of the gold loopers among us (you fly a gold burgee when you have completed the loop). Dinner on the boat; it will be an early night and several more locks in the morning.

Riverlink Park Public Dock, Amsterdam, New York

The downtown area seems to be framed by huge banks.

The design on this fence is based on one used by the Iroquois to represent people and nations linked as equals in collaborative partnerships for mutual benefit.

Amsterdam has been a thriving industrial town, beautiful old buildings, unfortunately, factories closed, houses and stores empty, even a huge Catholic church sitting empty

The centrepiece of the park by the docks

Kids looked ready to jump off the bridge into the water. Others were swinging off the bank on a rope into the water.

Got up to nice sunny skies this morning. Left Waterford and immediately entered Lock #2 on the Erie system (there is no lock # 1). We went through the first several locks alone, then caught up with 2 other boats who had left Wateford ahead of us this morning, and the three boats travelled to Amsterdam together. Went up 9 locks today. By noon we had one cloud over us, managed to drop some rain while we were in a lock. After we docked here, a couple of storms went by, some rain, thunder and lightening.
Docked at a town park with several other looper boat. Here at the dock,  they charge $1.00 per foot, provide power and water, as well as bathrooms, showers and laundry. Beautiful place to stay. There are RR tracks between the park and the town, so they have built a huge pedestrian walkway over the tracks. We plan to move on a few more locks tomorrow.

Just past Lock 7, this mansion overlooks the canal. It is 30,000 square ft, has 15 fireplaces, 10 bathrooms, and indoor pool, etc, etc.

Waterford Town Docks, Waterford, New York

The sluiceway for the lock actually runs down through an original lock before the Erie Canal was rebuilt

This barge pushed by a tow came by today headed for the lock; we wondered if it would fit, it did, but just barely

They have memorials to those who lost their lives in the Revolutionary war, the war of 1812, the First and Second World Wars, Korea, Vietnam and Desert Storm

Cool and wet today, so felt like it was a good decision to stay over here a day. Went out for breakfast to a diner in town. This place has priced that seem not to have changed since the '60s. Two eggs with toast and coffee was $1.75. Wayne and I both had breakfast with as many coffee refills as we wanted for $4.25. Hard to beat. A few boats left the docks here this morning to start the Erie Canal, many of us stayed and will start tomorrow. Did some housework, Wayne did engine checks. Dug out charts for the next stretch; soon we will be in Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence, so need our old charts that we haven't used for a year. Went for a walk and got groceries this afternoon, then out to a pizza place for supper. Got together with Pat and Dick on Gypsea and Dan and Judy on Quest after dinner for a little while. Had not met Dan and Judy before, nice to visit with them.
Waterford is a very pretty town, the oldest incorporated village in the US, and the oldest continuously incorporated village in New York state. The first bridge across the Hudson river was built here; then the Erie Canal brought prosperity to the town.
The forecast for tomorrow is good, we plan to start our trek through the Erie's 22 locks tomorrow morning.

This boat is docked behind us, looks different from any other boat we have seen. Fred, the owner, says it was built in Poland, purchased in Germany.

Waterford Town Dock, Waterford, New York

The town docks from aross the canal; the visitor's centre is even flying a Canadian flag, good way to make us feel welcome.

Sunny with a few clouds this morning, nice travel day. Left Catskill this morning, exited Catskill Creek and went under Rip Van Winkel bridge. Went past hills, trees, few farms until we reached Albany, very industrial on both sides of the water with barges docked along the way. Then on to Troy and the Troy Federal Lock. Lock opened upon request, easy passage through the lock. After the lock, you can go straight and up to Champlain canal and Lake Champlain, or turn left, pass Waterford and enter the Erie Canal. Because Lake Champlain, Richeliew and Chambly canal are all still either flooded or suffering the aftermath of  flooding, we turned left. We have docked at Waterford, will stay here for the day tomorrow to explore the town and get caught up with a few things, then start the Erie Canal on Wednesday. Waterford provides the town docks with water and power free of charge, very generous of the town. Of course, they hope that we will spend our time visiting the businesses there; we are happy to comply.

Hudson-Athens Lighthouse

Rip Van Winkle Bridge

Unusual to see a sign like this along the waterways

We met Mike from Blue Bayou last night at Catskill; he is from Crysler Park Marina. Today, he blew by us (with a big wave) on his way home.

Catskill Marina, Catskill, New York

Uncle Sam bridge over Catskill Creek; Samuel Wilson of Catskill became the personification of the US government in 1917 on posters recruiting young men for the military.

The water is very still this evening

Entering Catskill Creek behind Gypsea

This beautiful church is now a fitness centre; we couldn't even find a sign to say what denomination it had been

The fishing cat

One of the cats along the street

Esopus Lighthouse. These lighthouses seem more like houses with a light on top; they look like they would be much more comfortable to live in than many others we have seen.

Left Kingston this morning under heavy skies and in cool temperatures. Wasn't raining, so decided to move north another 20 miles. With the push from the current it only took us a couple of hours. One of the other boaters who made the same trip today said they felt like they needed a seat belt, almost got whip lash (tongue in cheek of course, none of us are going more than 11 or perhaps a screaming 12 miles per hour). Very pretty trip, we were still travelling past hills with trees, some houses, few small towns. Catskill is a fair size town located up Catskill Creek. This creek is not large, but it is deep enough for larger boats, and there are 3 marinas and a yacht club here. Walked uptown this afternoon, pretty town with decorative painted cats along the streets and in some shop windows.

House perched high in the hills

Dinner on the boat tonight; we plan to travel up to Waterford, the beginning of the Erie Canal, tomorrow.

Kingston Municipal Docks, Kingston, New York

Lighthouse at entrance to Rondout Creek

The lighthouse at the Esopsus shoals

Mouth of a railway tunnel along the water; at one point we could see what looked like lights on the water, turned out to be a train coming out of a tunnel around the mountain. (Felt like singing "She'll be coming round the mountain several times today).

Left Half Moon Bay this morning, feel like we finally figured out a little bit about the tides, we got a huge push up the river on the incoming tide, which lasted almost until we got here.Yesterday we struggled to get to 6 miles per hour, today we sailed along at 9-10 miles an hour until just after lunch, then went down to just over 8 miles per hour. Huge difference. Very cloudy today, few showers but only one brief shower while we were travelling. The scenery was beautiful, hills and trees, clouds hanging low over many of the hills. Went past Dunderberg Mountain, the 1,000 ft tall legendary dwelling of the Dutch goblin held responsible for summer storms. Hoped he wasn't angry with us as we passed. After Dunderberg Mountain, the next 10 miles on the Hudson cut through the Appalachian mountain chain and  are supposed to be one of the most beautiful stretches of river scenery in the US, and we would agree that it is very beautiful. Hills and mountains, trains travelling along the water on both sides, houses of all kinds on the hills overlooking the water, some ordinary, many looking like castles.
At Bear Mountain, the Americans stretched a huge chain across the water to stop the British during the Revolutionary War;  unfortunately the British seized the chain and sent it to Gibralter to guard their own harbour then went on up the river to burn Kingston (the town we are in tonight). Went on past West Point, then the town of Cornwall on Hudson. After than, passed Newburgh and Beacon, and on to Poughkeepsie, the home of Vassar College and the temporary capital of New York in 1777. Went on past the Esopus Lighthouse, one of  many built along the river. The next lighthouse 3 miles up the river marks the entrance to Rondout Creek and the city of Kingston.
Once we docked at Kingston, called US customs and border patrol. The kind gentleman told me that we are in the same district as long as we are in Upper New York State, so looks like we don't need to call in any more.
We have decided that we will take the Erie Canal home rather than the Richelieu River and Chambly Canal. With the recent flooding, the Chambly is not yet open and may not be for some time.

West Point

Met some other loopers here tonight, Postest Fieri and Karen Anne; Postest Fieri is from Thunder Bay in Canada. Had cocktails with them, fun to meet with them and hear about some of their adventures.

The clouds hung heavy over the hills

Not sure if we will travel tomorrow or stay here for a day, much depends on the weather.

Half Moon Bay Marina, Croton on Hudson, New York

Empire State Building towers above everything else

Rock palisades north of George Washington bridge

Left Liberty Landing this morning, unfortunately against the current and tide, so a slow trip up the river. From our marina up to the George Washington Bridge, there was a lot of traffic, water ferries and tour boats zipping around every which way, coast guard boats, New York City police, Yonker police, park police, plus tows and tugs. We had wake going every which way. Once we got past the George Washington Bridge, there was very little traffic on the water, so no wakes. Before George Washington Bridge, it was city on both sides of the river; after the bridge, the Jersey side was trees and high basalt palisades, occasional houses. Very pretty, even on the New York side there were more trees and fewer buildings. Travelled past Brooklyn, Hoboken, Manhattan, then Manhattonville, Fort Washington park, Spuyten Duvill Creek where the Harlem River empties into the Hudson, Yonkers,  then under the Tappan Zee Bridge, up around Croton Point and into the marina. Warm day, very pleasant travelling on the water. Little disappointed with the marina, the harbour master had given one price on the phone yesterday, then tried to charge us more. He did, in the end, honour his quote. Happened to leave the marina with Gypsea, so travelled all day with them.

We watched the traffic stopped on the George Washington Bridge for some time as we appproached it. This bridge has two levels of traffic, one below the other.

Walked the short distance into town and got some groceries. Dinner on the boat. We hope to travel tomorrow. Rain is predicted, so not sure how far we will go.

Went by Sing Sing just south of Croton Bay