Erie Canal Update

T

teflonmom

New member
Things always change. Be sure to check but I hear that the locks will close at 6 Pm this season. I did not check this on the canal web site, but , go the news from another boater.

The other sad change is that the Newark Diner in Newark has been sold and moved to Ohio for a rebuild. It will be moved to Buffalo, NY when the rehab is finished. I am pretty sure that we won't get 2 eggs, fried potatoes, toast and coffee for $1.99 at the new location. It will be over a year before I can check it out in person. I will give you a report.

Newark is still a good stop on the canal. Several nights free docking with water, elect, free laundry and showers. There are still many good places to eat in Newark, but none with the special class of Jim McBride's Newark Diner.

The village of Fairport is getting a big face lift and many improvements for the coming season. It was always a good stop
and now it will be better.
 
Jim,
At that time of year it can be surprisingly hot and muggy up there. Being from Florida you guys can probably take the heat. We liked Spencerport, Fairport, Newark, Middleport, plus all the towns in between. Nice people up there. There is a pretty nice bed and breakfast just west of Spencerport with it's own dock right on the canal if I remember correctly. Some of our group stayed there and said it was the bomb. Be sure to try the red hots and the white hots which are locally produced hotdogs I think. Probably not health food. Great cruising up there.
D.D.
 
We hope to arrive in Coeymans, NY on July 17th by trailer, and then do the Canal, Thousand Islands and part of the Rideau Canal. We'll haul out in Oswego early August and have our TomCat towed home. This will be our first time in the Erie Canal, and we're looking forward to it. Also hope to meet some C-Brats along the way.
 
We sure recomened th Carousel Factory in North Tonawanda. If you cross the bridge to the south side there is a wonderful restaurant that sells Beef on Wrek sandwiches with a view of a marina. Saturday nights are really full so get a spot on the wall early.
 
The Canal's website states that it is now closed to navigation from Lock 2 to 22. I called and spoke to someone who was not very helpful. When I asked him if he had any idea of when it would be re-opened, he told me to check the website. Asked if it provided daily updates, he said, "I get what you get....updates." Apparently, rainfall has been way above normal. It's hard to plan a trip with such little info. I wonder what happens to boaters who are halfway through the Canal and then it's closed. Are they stuck there until it reopens? I think we'll change plans and launch in Oswego and then run up the Rideau Canal after cruising the Thousand Islands. I called the Canadian Parks Service, and they were very helpful. No problems on the Rideau or Trent-Severn.
 
Most of the flood problems seem to be on the Eastern end of the canal. The Western is less of a problem with high water. We always used a State Park ramp at the top of Lake Seneca. You can store your rig for under $10. We have left our rig there for a month to six weeks several times. The nice towns are all West of this point. You can do a trip to Tonawanda and back in two weeks with time to explore many towns. Be sure to purchase a Canal guide book, it is a big help. You can purchase the book at the first marina on your port side after you leave the launch area.
 
Mariners are advised that the Erie Canal between Lock E-2 (Waterford) and
Lock E-8 (Scotia), and between Guard Gate 5 (Herkimer) and Oneida Lake
(Sylvan Beach), will reopen to navigation at 8:00 am on Thursday, July 4,
2013.

The Erie Canal between Lock E-8 (Scotia) and Lock E-11 (Amsterdam) will
reopen as soon as flows recede and conditions allow, which is at this
point projected to be early next week.

The Erie Canal between Lock E-11 (Amsterdam) and Lock E-18 (Jacksonburg)
will remain closed until further notice while repair efforts continue.
 
Hi Folks,

I might be open to a trip on the Erie Canal late August-September. Sold the Inn and quite open for cruising dates. Also interested in New England Cruises. Let me know.

Fred
 
Anyone looking for a good guide for the western end of the canal should work with Fred. He is a good boater and I am sure he can lead you to all the good places to eat and to dock at low or no cost. The Erie Canal is one place that you will probably spend more to eat than for dockage. Most towns offer Free or low cost dockage. Be sure to get a bottle of Red Cat Wine. This should be the official wine of Erie Canal cruising C- Brats according to Last Dance Terry.
 
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