We just finished our Erie Canal trip, less than a week before Hurricane Irene pretty much destroyed our take out destination, Amsterdam, NY.
There was water at least 5 feet over the lock walls. A historic house by Lock 11 was wrecked. It had stood there since 1716. Floodgates at the lock/dam were damaged and Russo's restaurant, just across from lock 11 was flooded. The Amtrack station was under 4+ feet of water. The canal is now closed between locks E2 and E19. We were very appreciative of our timing, as we had a most wonderful time, and really grieve for the people who are suffering the effect of this flooding.
We put in at Buffalo "Erie Basin" marina, a very nice city marina with good security. They kept my Truck and Trailer for $20/wk. It is only a 10 min. walk to the Amtrak station. We went north on the Niagaga River Tonawanda Creek and the Erie Canal. We stopped at Lockport, Medina, Holley, Brockport, Fairport, Lyons, Lake Cayuga,The Oswego Canal, Phoenix, Little Falls, Amsterdam, and more. There is a Amtrak stop in Amsterdam, about a 25 min. walk from lock 11. I took the train back to Buffalo and drove back to Amsterdam in about 10 hrs.
The Canal was wonderful. I recomend it to everyone. The facilities are great and either free or very reasonable. The western canal is one town after another. They all grew up around the canal after it was built in 1825. Everyone is very friendly and helpful, the towns are very boater friendly. The east is a bit more wild as the canal now follows rivers. The towns are a little further apart, but just as inviting. I was suprised by how little traffic there was on the canal. Some of the more popular town walls are pretty full, but we usually met 2-4 boats a day. We saw one C-Dory. We passed her near the Cayuga-Seneca Canal and she had a NY State Canal System Sign Board on the roof. We honked and waved.
I am trying to post an album of the trip, but it is going very slowly. I can only upload 1 or 2 pics at a time and now I can't even get one to go. My pics are large, but they went well enough before. Any suggestions.
I'll Keep trying and get them up eventually.
Carpy, Bruce Cassal
There was water at least 5 feet over the lock walls. A historic house by Lock 11 was wrecked. It had stood there since 1716. Floodgates at the lock/dam were damaged and Russo's restaurant, just across from lock 11 was flooded. The Amtrack station was under 4+ feet of water. The canal is now closed between locks E2 and E19. We were very appreciative of our timing, as we had a most wonderful time, and really grieve for the people who are suffering the effect of this flooding.
We put in at Buffalo "Erie Basin" marina, a very nice city marina with good security. They kept my Truck and Trailer for $20/wk. It is only a 10 min. walk to the Amtrak station. We went north on the Niagaga River Tonawanda Creek and the Erie Canal. We stopped at Lockport, Medina, Holley, Brockport, Fairport, Lyons, Lake Cayuga,The Oswego Canal, Phoenix, Little Falls, Amsterdam, and more. There is a Amtrak stop in Amsterdam, about a 25 min. walk from lock 11. I took the train back to Buffalo and drove back to Amsterdam in about 10 hrs.
The Canal was wonderful. I recomend it to everyone. The facilities are great and either free or very reasonable. The western canal is one town after another. They all grew up around the canal after it was built in 1825. Everyone is very friendly and helpful, the towns are very boater friendly. The east is a bit more wild as the canal now follows rivers. The towns are a little further apart, but just as inviting. I was suprised by how little traffic there was on the canal. Some of the more popular town walls are pretty full, but we usually met 2-4 boats a day. We saw one C-Dory. We passed her near the Cayuga-Seneca Canal and she had a NY State Canal System Sign Board on the roof. We honked and waved.
I am trying to post an album of the trip, but it is going very slowly. I can only upload 1 or 2 pics at a time and now I can't even get one to go. My pics are large, but they went well enough before. Any suggestions.
I'll Keep trying and get them up eventually.
Carpy, Bruce Cassal