Fifteen Miles to the Erie Canal

The face dock at the C. Springer Marina in Albany, NY was the only place available to stay overnight that we could find.  There were no places to anchor; the Albany Yacht Club, just across the river, was full, and the other small marinas that showed up on Active Captain had been washed away by a storm.  However, we had a very comfortable stay, and the sun rose to a clear, blue sky with a light breeze and low humidity.

After making some coffee, we noticed the food trailer on the bank above the docks was open for business.  A short walk up the hill took us to the business end of the trailer where a man was handed a plate containing a mountain of pancakes dripping with maple syrup and topped off with a hand full of applewood smoked bacon.  The paper plate was bending under the weight as he eyed a place to set it down.  Well, that image was all it took, since we couldn't remember when the last time was that we hand pancakes for breakfast.  We ordered a smaller version and split it between us and that hit the spot.

Our destination today was the Visitor's Center located in the town of Waterford, NY.  We had one lock, the Troy Lock, to transition and then sail off the Hudson River and into the Mohawk River where the Erie Canal runs west to both Lake Erie and Lake Ontario.  (We will be going to Lake Ontario by way of the Oswego Canal that turns north off the Erie Canal at Lake Oneida, NY.  This is the path that takes us into Canada and over to Lake Michigan via the Trent-Severn Waterway.) The docks at the Visitor's Center are on a first come, first served system but if you can find room to dock then you can stay 48 hours for only $5/night including power and water.  The dock is 1000 ft. long and is located just below Lock #2 where the Erie Canal begins. (There is no Lock #1 on the Erie.)  Viridian was able to just fit in a spot at the very end of the dock just below the lock doors.

After registering at the center, we took a walk around the area just to get familiar with what was around.  Tomorrow we will take the bikes down and explore more.  The day ended with an excellent meal at the McGreevy’s Steak and Seafood Restaurant with the crew of Dash Away and Second Wave.


That's the news and here's some views:

We are here

Today's short cruise from Albany, NY to Waterford, NY

Well, in that case!

Checking out the menu

Waiting with Great Expectations

Always a nice person offering to take our picture

Breakfast!

Underway for Waterford, NY and the Erie Canal

Mohawk River Inlet and the Erie Canal Welcome Center

Docked on the end of the pier just below the lock doors

Waterford Visitor's Center

The Erie Canal Song by Thomas S. Allan

I've got an old mule and her name is Sal,
Fifteen years on the Erie Canal.
She's a good old worker and a good old pal,
Fifteen years on the Erie Canal.
We've hauled some barges in our day,
Filled with lumber, coal, and hay
And every inch of the way we know,
From Albany to Buffalo.

Chorus:
Low bridge, everybody down.
Low bridge for we're coming to a town.
And you'll always know your neighbor
And you'll always know your pal
If you've ever navigated on the Erie Canal.

Exploring the Lock #2

Lock #2 Race

Whirlpool forming as water fills the chamber below

Viridian on the dock

The light colored bricks on the walkway on the left is a map of the entire Erie Canal from here to Buffalo, NY.  It has all the towns and locks called out with markers.

Brick Map of the Erie Canal

Our current location

Meat-n-Tatters for me, greens for Meg

(First course was buffalo chicken soup-a food competition winner for 3 years in a row.  With that the waitress brought out a basket of Irish soda bread.  I've never tried Irish soda bread and it was tasty but George was the first to bite into one of the little drop biscuits and his comment was, "you're going to need sharp teeth to eat this!"  Dessert was crème brulee.  So today we have to take a long bike ride.)