The Erie Canal - West Bound

Loopers lined up in Waterford NY-FUN!!

Waterford NY is the first town on the west end of the Erie Canal.  Read more about Watertown HERE!  The town was very nice and the people were even nicer.

A great place to warm up for a run - great steps...or the ramp!

 Friday morning the majority of the group went to breakfast at the local diner – I went for a much needed run!  The weather forecast predicted rain later in the morning & 100% chance of rain all day.  Mistakenly, I thought there was no chance we would travel so I had a great opportunity to really explore.  WRONG!!!  About 1.5 miles into my trot I received a text saying “we’re getting ready to leave”. HUH??

Waterford NY

But in true Robin fashion, I was not paying attention to the streets & turns on my route. I stopped and looked around – nothing looked familiar! I turned around and saw the dam head!! YAY! I knew we were docked just around the bend from lock #2 so I headed that way.  Upon arrival, I realized I ran to lock #3!! Uh-oh!! So I tried to follow the water from the streets but that was REALLY confusing! So I saw a couple walking & I asked them “which way to town?”  The man replied “which town?”  GULP!!  Where am I??  He doubled with laughter!!!  WHEW!!! After a brief conversation, I was on my way…exploring yet another part of Waterford!  What a funny & memorable encounter!!

A waterfall captured between rain showers on the Mohawk River

Meanwhile, back at the boat…everyone was prepping to leave!!  Am I the only one who read the weather?  I didn’t protest & dutifully went about my responsibilities…grrrr!  Since I try to keep this blog family friendly & positive I will fast forward to…6 ½ hours and 6 locks later I was completely soaked (& freezing) and we were anchored in a back channel off the Mohawk River.  The silence was deafening both on our boat and the radio chatter.  Hmmm….

Saturday 6/17/17 Erie Canal/Mohawk River - better weather! No kidding!

Saturday morning brought warmer temps, no fog & a much better weather forecast…all that equaled improved morale!  YAY!!!  By the end of our cruising day it was HOT, sunny and humid…NOT complaining!!!  As we past Amsterdam NY, Moon Shadow & Southern Cross pulled out of the group – docked for the night.  Later, Moon Shadow shared that they took a cab to the ER – Captain Dave has kidney stones!! Prayers please!

Sanctuary locking through with us - note the natural beauty all around!

Sanctuary and The Lower Place continued cruising west!  We cleared several more locks (some more challenging than others) and picked Canajoharie New York FREE dock as Saturday nights stop.  It was quite crowded but in true boater fashion – another looper boat saw us scouting out the dock wall.  He guided Sanctuary into place on the wall then instructed us to raft to Sanctuary.  Sure, there’s no power, water and we have to walk across Steve & Teresa’s boat to reach land…but you get what you pay for, right?

View from the fly bridge in the filled chamber

Sanctuary on the wall - The Lower Place rafted to them - COZY!

Canajoharie was having an anniversary celebration…smoked chicken, slaw, baked potato, roll and drink for $10…well, happy anniversary!!  YUM!! 

We plan to travel on Sunday but wherever we dock or anchor we will be there until Tuesday…rain & thunderstorms predicted for Sunday night until Tuesday morning.  This skipper is sitting still during all that activity!!

Think: street cleaner except on the waterway. Serious debris!

All in all, our journey west has been very nice and a much appreciated change in geography.  Plus, the lock and dam environment reminds me of home!!

Happy Father’s Day to all the dads and “dad-like” fellas out there!  I hope you have a blessed day!

God Bless!!

PS.  Have I mentioned the first mate on our traveling buddy Sanctuary is a published author?  Teresa has a must-read devotional named Life is good, fragile, precious. Check it out.  We met Steve & Teresa on the Tenn Tom River when we rafted to them in Bashi Creek AL.  Great couple from Michigan!