Lock 2, so named because it is the first lock on the Erie Canal (Troy lock went to the Feds)

Erie canal Guard Gate 2, allows portions of canals to be isolated in case of ice floes, flooding, a lock giving way etc

P1010530

Erie canal, Amsterdam city dock free concert and TomCat viewing

concert at Amsterdam city dock

Elevator/stairs to pedestrian overpass over tracks and highway to town

Amsterdam has pedestrian walkway to shopping, Amtrak station, free wall

Amsterdam city dock

St Johnsville city dock. Yes, that's the same Sabre lobster yacht that was at Amsterdam.

Parallel parking without thrusters

Maneuvering sideways into this spot was not easy, but we got a view of the river

Entrance to St Johnsville city marina on the Erie Canal. Take time to explore the towns, history, museums and ambience without being in a hurry!

By the USS Prince Charles pontoon boat...and you don't need the Sabre to be comfy on the Loop

Canals came first, then trains also following the same river valleys...so you can hop on Amtrak at most Erie Canal villages...now highways nearby also

Ilion city dock on the Erie has an unusual 11 foot depth and was being dredged. $1/ft, power, RR and hot showers. Drat, the Remington rifle factory and tour was closed. And when on the SE Atlantic ICW Adventure, we missed the world's largest kazoo factory and tour due to an unexpected closure. Our two biggest tragic disappointments in all our cruising.

Erie canal example of a low city wall.. some are so high we had to position recessed ladders beside cockpit to climb up. More americana to explore.

typical Erie workboat with 1930's Atlas Imperial diesels still working and smoking

Canal workboats often dock at Ilion...hence the giant bollards, and why you need long lines just in case.

canalside dredging project...pass at no wake speed always

Trade a Yacht marina, a typical mom & pop marina (many with campgrounds), $1.75/ft on the north side of Lake Oneida. 25 mile fetch on this lake can be too much for a CD in SCA conditions

Lake Oneida in a very mellow mood. 20 miles long and winds can make for a nasty chop for a small boat

Western Lake Oneida again becomes the Erie canal with 22 miles of no-wake (6MPH) speed limits

winds on upper Lake Oneida at 23mph gusting to 33 today, stayed in place at marina. 1 rain day and 1 wind day out of 36 days on boat. I caught that towel at just the right moment, don't you think? Yes, the marina had washers and dryers.

berth on night #36...the 2 clear bags to starboard hold all our clothes for 6 weeks, using marina laundry