Erie Canal Part 2

We took a "rain day" at Canajoharie ... Steve and Lucy got some rest.

We left the next day and transited 5 locks including Lock 17, one of only 2 in North America where the downstream entrance gate is lifted like a garage door and the boat pass under to enter the lock. Yes, it did drip on us.

It is also the highest lift on the Erie at 40'.

We docked with Mas Bueno at the free dock at Herkimer because we were having mail sent there (thanks Ron!) along with some chartbooks we had ordered from West Marine. Well, we thought the chartbooks would be there, but learned that FedEx cannot deliver to a post office so our charts were traveling all around the state of NY. After learning that we could not have them delivered unless we had a "real address", we cancelled the order and have since bought them in Brewerton. The next day we finally got some sun and the Erie was beautiful.

I really like the way the banks reflect in the water, so I've got lots of shots like this.

These are "guard gates" found periodically on the canal. Apparently, they can be lowered in an emergency to prevent the water from flooding.

After spending three nights close to roads and train tracks, we were really looking for a quiet setting last night. We found it here on the wall below Lock 21. Very peaceful.

Today dawned sunny and warm ...

After transiting 21 Erie Canal locks, we crossed Oneida Lake, a 20 mile long 3-5 mile wide section of the canal that was busy with local boaters and fishermen since it is Saturday. We're back in the narrow canal at Ess Kay Yards, a family owned marina that is very inexpensive, very friendly, and has all the services we need, including a courtesy car. Lucy likes it here too, she's already caught 2 mice on the marina lawn. We've purchased the charts we need for Canada and Steve is studying our routes. After 10 more westbound miles on the Erie Canal, we'll turn north into the Oswego Canal for the 24 mile trip to Lake Ontario ... where a 40 mile big water crossing awaits ... we'll be watching the weather.