Well, that last time I posted we had locked through Lock #8 and were staying the night on the free wall just outside it. We had planned to leave the next morning to head on west. Well, things can change in a moment's notice along this trip. When we got up in the morning we were told by the Lockmaster that they had closed the Locks 9-15 completely and had halted all navigation westward. This was due to flooding in the area. As you know, this area had been getting a lot of rain. Especially when we were in Waterford! Anyway, he told us it could be up to six days!! However, it was on a day to day notice.
That day it rained and rained. The Lockmaster had opened all the gates on Lot #8 and we could see the water rushing downward. It was unbelievable the amount of debris it carried. Logs the size of small trees were just flowing past us as we sat. Across the river we could see a soccer tournament trying to be played. It would rain and they'd stop for a while and then they would try it again only to have it rain again. They guys got bored so they decided in between rainstorms to ride their bikes into town to see what was there. They found a Mall, Kmart, and several other places. They had eaten in a good place named "99". So we told them that we girls wanted to go back there for lunch the next day (if the rain ever quits).
Sunday mid-morning we were told that the Locks were open. However, we had already planned to stay even if they did open the locks. The debris was still heavy. We also wanted to get an early start on the day we left. Plus, we were going to eat at 99 for lunch! Before we could go anywhere though, Mike and I needed haircuts. How convenient to have a Looper along that is a hair stylist. She set up shop right outside her boat and quickly cut anyone's hair that wanted it. Now that's service!
Mike had said that there were bikes on sale at Kmart when he was there. He wanted a bike for his birthday. It was only a week away so we decided to splurge and get bikes for the both of us now. It's a lot easier to get around when you stop at a dock if you have a bike to ride. BUT - have you ever heard of a 65 year old man wanting a bicycle for his birthday?? I think we have come full circle now. Not sure what that means! Anyway, we walked to town while the others rode their bikes. We went in to Kmart – bought the bikes, baskets and of course- bells! You can't have a bike without a bell! Sounds like the ice cream man – ching – ching! Anyway after that we went over to the restaurant to meet the others. Had a really good lunch along with bloody marys.
After lunch, I thought we were going to get on the bikes and ride home. But wait! Not yet! Mike had to put the baskets and the bells on first! So we sat outside the restaurant in the mall while he got the bikes to his liking. Oh, I forgot to mention - my bike is the coolest! It's black and has pink wheels! It also has pink piping around the seat and some pinstriping! Mike's is manlier - it's black with cream. We rode them back to the boat without any mishaps!
We decided that the river looked better so we decided that we would leave early in the morning (Monday). After three nights on the wall, we were about ready to climb it! Anyway, off we went, planning to go hopefully 40-50 miles. Locking through the locks today was much easier. We didn't have the wind to deal with as much.
While we were boating along we got a call from Sweet Pea! They're on our tail! Hopefully they will catch up with us soon. They said they've been running with a boat named Inconceivable. We saw them back at Atlantic Highlands when we anchored out before New York Harbor. It's really fun to keep running into Loopers along the way.
While we were boating along, we met up with about 20 miniature steamboats. Now this was cool! There were all actual steamboats like the one used in African Queen but smaller. This was a steamboat club that was heading to Waterford from Little Falls. – About an 80 mile trip. They burn wood and make steam. We had seen piles of wood that had been chopped and covered up along the canal and had wondered what it was there for. Now we know. Anyway, they were really cool. They would blow their horn and a big puff of smoke would come out the stack. They were a sight to see!
You won't believe the other sight! For some reason, someone has installed a Volkswagen Beetle atop an 80 foot smokestack. All our guidebooks told us to look for it, but none of them offered up a reason why it was there. Now that's funny!
We passed through Amsterdam, the birthplace of Kirk Douglas. And Fonda, NY which has nothing to do with Henry Fonda, but they still claim they do. Along the way, we would see old locks and remnants of the original canal. It's hard to believe that this canal was built so long ago.
After nearly 50 miles and 7 locks we were ready for a stop. We decided that a marina would be nice if it were cheap enough. We found one for $1.00 a foot. That's $42 for NautiNell. You can't really beat that. It would cost us almost that much to run the generator for 8 hours or so. It was the St Johnsville Municipal Marina. We tied up to a wall there rather than in slips. No problem. Mike and I immediately took off for a bike ride to explore the town of St .Johnsville. Not much there. We did find a Dollar General and a Pizzeria. NautiNell had not wanted to start her port engine this morning. It really was becoming quite a bad habit of hers. Mike decided that she really needed a new solenoid. There was a NAPA Store fairly close. They would get us the part by 8:00 a.m. in the morning. Perfect!
We all decided to order pizza. Mike said he'd go get it on his bike. You see, any excuse to ride his new bicycle. However, the guy at the marina offered to drive someone up there to pick it up. We sat out at a picnic table and ate our pizza discussing what we were going to do the next day. Actually, I believe we discussed much more than that. Finally it was time to return to the boat and try to get a good night's sleep. In the morning, the NAPA guy showed up about 8:30. Mike had already removed the old solenoid so it didn't take much time at all to install the new one. And voila! NautiNell's port engine started right up! So about 9:30 we were on our way again. Thanks to the boats that waited for us. They didn't have to, but that's how it is with Loopers.
We made to thru five locks (16-20) and about 35 miles. Lock #17 was the largest single step lock on the canal. It lifted us 40 feet. Some of the other locks raised us only 8 feet. Lock 17 had an entrance gate that lifted above the boat rather than swing open like most. In fact there are only two locks like this in North America. The other one is in Canada. It looked ominous – like a guillontine coming down! We passed the Herkimar House that was built by General Nicholas Herkimar of the Revolutionary War. I should have paid more attention in my high school history class. I know he did something important, but I don't know what…….
We had planned to stay at Utica but the marina wasn't open. In fact, much of that area wasn't open. Again we were able to tie up to the FREE dock (wall). I love that word FREE. We had pretty much got tied up and began to relax when a rainstorm hit. It wasn't bad, but we're getting a little tired of rain! Anyway, we were safe.
This morning we were off and running about 8:00 a.m. We only had two locks to lock through (21 and 22). We were starting to lock back down now. We've made it to the top. It's a lot easier to lock down. It's quicker and there isn't nearly the turbulence to deal with. We made it to Sylvan Beach and the marina Mariners Landing. Not a bad little marina. Sylvan Beach has a four mile sandy beach, amusement park, and quite a beach town atmosphere. This is the last stop before we cross Lake Oneida. Lake Oneida is only about 20 miles across but you really need a good weather window to try it. Many Loopers stay here at Sylvan Beach until that window occurs. You do not want a west wind. Guess what they're predicting for the next few days. Oh well.
Mike and I had pretty much already decided that we wanted to spend some time here at the little beach town. We wanted to be sure to be somewhere cool on the 4th of July. Right now, we're planning to stay through Monday. If weather permits we will cross the lake on Tuesday and be in Brewerton. NY. That is the last stop before we enter the Oswego Canal which takes us to Canada. The rest of the boats are planning to cross the lake tomorrow and move on to Brewerton. I hate that we're not all able to stay together longer - especially Jeremiah - we have had a ball with those guys!. However, I bet we see them again in a few weeks somewhere in Canada.
Till next time!
Admiral "C"
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