July 3, Catskill to Waterford
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We left Catskill Marina at 7:30. Our fenders were set on the
starboard side, and there was no wind. The Hudson River was very
calm. We chugged along at 8 knots, and had to slow up for quite a few
marinas and yacht clubs where the boats were not in protected water.
After passing the Port of Albany and a few freighters loading up with
crushed cars and metal, the skyline of the city appeared. There are
so many new, modern buildings that seem to appear each year we pass
by.
The Troy Town Dock is about 6 miles north of Albany. Just ahead is
the Troy Federal Lock, a lift of 16 feet. We called in for lockage,
but had to wait about 10 minutes for the gates to open. It was an
easy lock-through, and we left the lock, heading for Waterford which
is 3 miles up the river.
At Waterford, there is a sign that directs you to the Erie Canal with
an arrow to the left, and the Champlain Canal with an arrow to the
right. Heading left, we turned into the Waterford wall that has a
welcome center and is close to the town. There where quite a few
boats tied up. We met a couple who just came through the Erie who
are from Connecticut but have been living and traveling on their boat
for six years. They had been Auxiliary members and know quite a
few people we know. They gave us some tips on traveling the Erie and
Lake Ontario.
starboard side, and there was no wind. The Hudson River was very
calm. We chugged along at 8 knots, and had to slow up for quite a few
marinas and yacht clubs where the boats were not in protected water.
After passing the Port of Albany and a few freighters loading up with
crushed cars and metal, the skyline of the city appeared. There are
so many new, modern buildings that seem to appear each year we pass
by.
The Troy Town Dock is about 6 miles north of Albany. Just ahead is
the Troy Federal Lock, a lift of 16 feet. We called in for lockage,
but had to wait about 10 minutes for the gates to open. It was an
easy lock-through, and we left the lock, heading for Waterford which
is 3 miles up the river.
At Waterford, there is a sign that directs you to the Erie Canal with
an arrow to the left, and the Champlain Canal with an arrow to the
right. Heading left, we turned into the Waterford wall that has a
welcome center and is close to the town. There where quite a few
boats tied up. We met a couple who just came through the Erie who
are from Connecticut but have been living and traveling on their boat
for six years. They had been Auxiliary members and know quite a
few people we know. They gave us some tips on traveling the Erie and
Lake Ontario.
a few treats and a huge drink of water. We got underway, heading for lock 2 which is the first lock
out of 5 of the 'Waterford Flight". The five locks come up right after each other, a lift of 168
feet total. The first lock was a little tricky because the water came in very forcefully. It was hard
for me to hold the stern line, but Jim used the stern thruster to push it back against the wall. Once
the boat settled in to the water movement, things went smoother. The next 4 locks went much
better. We were used to how the boat handled in the lock.
We arrived at Crescent Boat Club on the Mohawk River in Clifton Park about 4:00. The dock master
helped us tie up. We stayed here in 2002 with our other boat, The Golden Rules. The people are very
friendly and made us feel very welcome. There is a beautiful view of the river and trees. Passing
boats do leave some rolling wakes, but not as bad as the Hudson. Jim cooked a great cheese,
mushroom, and tomato omelette for dinner along with steamed zucchini squash. Lily was exhausted
after her long day sightseeing and taking on the "smells" of the boat club.
.......................................................................................................................
July 4 - Day at Crescent Boat Club
We decided to stay one more night at Crescent. The weather forecast was 15-25 knots winds and
thunderstorms early afternoon into the night. We could have left early while it was still calm and tie
up at the Amsterdam wall, but we weren't sure if other boaters would have the same idea with the
rough weather ahead, plus locking through is very difficult with winds. At least here there are people
around, an easy place for Lily to walk. The skies turned very dark around noon, the wind picked up as
the forecast predicted, and it turned chilly. It continued to rain all day quite heavily most of the
time. The water moved swiftly by our boat, the wind blew close to 30 knots, and at times there
were some high white capped waves. It was a good decision to wait it out here.
Tomorrow we will try to go further than Amsterdam if the weather permits. The forecast is 10-15
knot winds from the west, thunderstorms in the afternoon. We need to make sure we have a place to
stop if necessary and will watch the sky and Sirius weather.
out of 5 of the 'Waterford Flight". The five locks come up right after each other, a lift of 168
feet total. The first lock was a little tricky because the water came in very forcefully. It was hard
for me to hold the stern line, but Jim used the stern thruster to push it back against the wall. Once
the boat settled in to the water movement, things went smoother. The next 4 locks went much
better. We were used to how the boat handled in the lock.
We arrived at Crescent Boat Club on the Mohawk River in Clifton Park about 4:00. The dock master
helped us tie up. We stayed here in 2002 with our other boat, The Golden Rules. The people are very
friendly and made us feel very welcome. There is a beautiful view of the river and trees. Passing
boats do leave some rolling wakes, but not as bad as the Hudson. Jim cooked a great cheese,
mushroom, and tomato omelette for dinner along with steamed zucchini squash. Lily was exhausted
after her long day sightseeing and taking on the "smells" of the boat club.
.......................................................................................................................
July 4 - Day at Crescent Boat Club
We decided to stay one more night at Crescent. The weather forecast was 15-25 knots winds and
thunderstorms early afternoon into the night. We could have left early while it was still calm and tie
up at the Amsterdam wall, but we weren't sure if other boaters would have the same idea with the
rough weather ahead, plus locking through is very difficult with winds. At least here there are people
around, an easy place for Lily to walk. The skies turned very dark around noon, the wind picked up as
the forecast predicted, and it turned chilly. It continued to rain all day quite heavily most of the
time. The water moved swiftly by our boat, the wind blew close to 30 knots, and at times there
were some high white capped waves. It was a good decision to wait it out here.
Tomorrow we will try to go further than Amsterdam if the weather permits. The forecast is 10-15
knot winds from the west, thunderstorms in the afternoon. We need to make sure we have a place to
stop if necessary and will watch the sky and Sirius weather.
| City of Albany |
| Golden Lily Waterford |
| Crescent Boat Club |
Lily in the pilot house with her paws crossed relaxing. Lily looking for mice in the garden
on the other side of the dock.
on the other side of the dock.
