The Cruising Adventures of Wild Blue and crew...

[Casey]

Jim,

Do I recall that the Canal usually closes for the season in late October or early November?

I would think that given the C-Dory's cold wx cruising comforts, cruising the Canal in the late season would be pretty enjoyable (if some businesses were still open?).

What is your impression re businesses that remain open versus those that are strictly seasonal? From what I've read in your posts it sounds like most of the communities along the Canal are small but viable towns not just seasonal places. Correct?

Your observations are great - and I'm chomping-at-the-bit!

Best,
Casey
2006 CC23 (...likely name of new boat: "Katmai")

 

[JamesTXSD]

Hi Casey,

Great to hear from you! Well, I'm certainly no Erie Canal expert, but my observations of the businesses along the canal are that they don't depend on the boaters. Whether it's the restaurants, curio shops, or ice cream places, the vast majority of tourists we see in those places are land based.

Just now, a canal cruise boat went by... probably 100 people onboard. That outnumbers the boaters we've seen here on the docks by about 10:1. Plenty of local folks using the trails for biking and running. I think people like being BY the water... while we boater folks know it's even better ON the water.

You might check with some of the Visitors Centers in the towns along the canal to see what they have to say about late season touristing.

The cruising here is so completely different from the PNW, Lake Powell, or Florida, that it's hard to make a comparison. There's no route-planning with waypoints... you just decide how many or how few miles you want to make and pick a town/destination that works with that. Pull in and tie up to the wall. With a $12 Skipper Bob's Cruising Guide and the $20 New York State Canal System Cruising Guide, you are covered.

The locks are easy.

In fact, we ran into our first "glitch" at a lift bridge today. We called for a bridge opening on the VHF at 12:09... no response. I called again a few minutes later. And again. We looked up the phone # and called... no answer. I gave a long blast on the horn... no response. After 30 minutes, I put Joan on a nearby dock and she walked to the bridge house... just as she got there, the guy pulled up with a sandwich in his hand. Yep, he was out to lunch. :roll: We were getting concerned that he might be lying dead on the floor of the bridge house! :shock: Otherwise, the bridge and lock operators respond right away and do their very best to get you through with little or no wait. I've been very impressed with the coordination from lock to lock.

Some of the businesses along the canal have late opening times or limited hours. Frankly, most boaters don't have room for trinkets, so food, fuel and ice cream are the main things you'll need. :wink: At one marina on the Hudson, we needed to find a Post Office. I asked the lady at the office and she said, "When do you want to go? I'll take you; I need to check my mail, anyway."

The people have been friendly and helpful. On the water and off. I can't see where that would be any different a month or two from now.

Hope that helps.

Best wishes,
Jim

--------------------------

And for Fred - I spoke with Tom, one of the dockmasters at Fairport today. He sends his regards to you and Pat. Small world, huh?

 

[toyman]

Hey Jim, I'll not make a comment about the Sanford & Son A/C if you'll hold the trailer trash comments ?!?! But which ever we have, for the past week I doubt if either of us has any regrets - except size does matter and mine was, as usual, to small (no ice on the roof) :amgry !! Since you went thru Amsterdam so fast you probably didn't see the ladies in the windows, nor the Sanford Mansion - Your S & S A/C has a rich heritage - -
http://www.hmdb.org/Marker.asp?Marker=11611 Be Proud !

Still undecided about future direction. :crook

 

[JamesTXSD]

Hi Dave,

I see that you're in Seneca Falls tonight. It will probably be Monday or Tuesday before we get there. Are you two still going to be around? It was a rainy day here, but still glad we have our a/c! You can joke about it, but it kicks out plenty of COOL!

Here's the day's events...

---------------------------
Heading East to Fairport...

Still rainy this morning; light, but enough that we knew raingear would be necessary.



We did 25 miles, 2 locks, and two lift bridges today. One of us has to do “bow duty” through the locks... Joan’s choice. She looks good in yellow!



Not much traffic on the canal. We saw two pleasure boats coming out of a lock as we went in, and this big fellow when we came to the junction of the canal and the Genosee River.



The gray day made for some interesting pastel looking photos. Once IN the boat, we were plenty dry and comfortable. Much of the greenery we saw looked furry, thanks to the soft light.



As we cruised east, our chart plotter began to see some of the satellite imagery that we overlay on the electronic charts. That gold patch is no detail at all; the little back dot 2/3 of the way down is our boat. And that stuff you can see in the upper corners is the satellite image coming back in. Another 30 miles or so and we should have chart coverage again, too.



After our WAIT for the bridge, we cruised into Fairport.

We pulled up to a spot on the wall at Fairport and settled in for the day. Lunch out, a bit of walking around, and the plan to visit the Farmers Market in the morning.



It stopped raining for a while, and we sat out in the cockpit. Izzy came across this guy. That’s a snail. Apparently, Izzy has no taste for escargot.

Over the bridge and into the ice cream shop. We even saw a rainbow.



About 6:30, the local cruise boat went by... it was just starting to sprinkle again, but there were some hardy souls up on top. Within a few minutes, it was pouring... I’m guessing those people came down inside the boat. No lightning, no thunder, no big wind... yet.

Best wishes,
Jim B.

 

[mcc272]

Casey asked about late season cruising on the Canal. Here is some info for 2009. Hours of operation are 7AM to 10PM through 9/9 and 7AM to 5PM 9/10 through 11/15. The Canal closes approximately 11/15 and they drain it for the winter. The exact closing date can vary.

Here is the web site for the Canal Corporation which has a ton of details:
http://www.nyscanals.gov/exvac/boating/index.html

Having spent a lot of time in upstate NY, the fall is very nice. It does start to get cool in the evenings and later in October can be on the cold side. However, many of the days are gorgeous. Great C-Dory time on the Canal especially with a Wallas.

As Jim B. pointed out, there is insufficient traffic on the Canal for the stores etc. to be completely Canal oriented. Plus, with the use of the bike paths along side the Canal, there is always some activity along the Canal even in the dead of winter when there are quite a few cross country skiers on the tow paths. The Canal will be busier in September and into October as the snow birds head south.

Jim

 

[teflonmom]

Hi Jim, Well Fred, The Man From Nantucket is sure going to have a lot of fine eating to try after all of your posts. I am glad to her about the Texas Bar B Q we enjoyed their food and now we know it is the real Texas deal.

While you are sampling New York food ask in any diner about a Garbage Plate. It is a big plate of almost anything the diner has on hand. We got one by mistake at the Texas Hot Weiner place in Brockport. We did not finish it and we shared with our grown son.

Continue to have fun and make the September gang ready to party.

Fred, Pat, and Mr. Grey(the cat)

PS Izzy appears to be having a good time. She is very cute.

 

[ffheap]

Fred,

And the MAN FROM NANTUCKET hopes to share at least one meal with Fred and Pat.

The beauty of the Erie Canal is that because we do not have to pay outrages docking fees we have money left for food.

One place I loved was Fred's Rib House in Brockport.
The Newark Dinner is a great breakfast place. I just love their food. My body doesn't. I will just have to double up on my Plavix and Simvastatin during the trip.

Jim and Joan. Enjoy the area and food. You can not beat it.

Fred

 

[JamesTXSD]

It's the Fred & Fred Show!

Off to the Farmers Market this morning in search of fruit and veggies. This may be the only cruise we've done where I haven't lost weight. :wink:

Best wishes,
Jim B.

 

[toyman]

The Colonial Belle MUST be the UGLIEST boat I've seen - and running offshore construction for 30 years I've seen some ugly ones ! We parked just in-front of her and watching the old man handle her was a treat - single screw, no thruster but he usually made it work. One evening there was a good current running though, he missed our bow by 2' then aborted and went down the canal to turn around and make another (successful) approach.

Seneca Falls is nice, but not much here, we'll go on down to the park today, I'm getting antsy about the trailer since you told me the grass had grown in the 2+ months it's been parked there. We'll then have to spend some time in the area waiting on my spare hub/tire & bearings that were supposed to ship yesterday, but didn't.

Lots of trash in the ditch east of Clyde yesterday, and 4 boats total in 30 miles.

 

[toyman]

Just saw the latest - when at the Market - - - on the N. end is a dog stand, you MUST try his carrot dog. If you've had the reds, whites and poppers this will be the topping on the cake. It is much better than liver !

 

[JamesTXSD]

Just saw the latest - when at the Market - - - on the N. end is a dog stand, you MUST try his carrot dog. If you've had the reds, whites and poppers this will be the topping on the cake. It is much better than liver !

Yep, we saw the "Carrot Hots" guy today at the Farmers Market in Fairport. A young lady ordered one while we were there. I can't begin to tell you what I was thinking. :crook She was surprised, too... she thought it would be some kind of a spicy carrot... after all, it has the word "hots" in the name. Putting a carrot in a hot dog bun? Isn't that completely missing the idea of a hot dog??? (or "hots" as they're called around here).



We're down for the day at Palmyra. Lots of interesting architecture in this town, including the "Church Corner" (a chuch on each of the 4 corners of an intersection). Also the birth place of Joseph Smith and the beginning of the LDS Church.

We visited with a photographer who was doing yard work outside his studio. He said, "You're retired? There's hope!" It's one of the few times in the last three years I've "talked shop"... haven't missed it a bit.

We did our good deed for the day... a lady was carrying a vacuum cleaner and tripped on the curb - she landed right on her face. We helped her into the house and carried her vacuum in. Her brother was inside and didn't seem the least bit concerned. She assured us that she would be OK, but her face was scuffed up pretty good.

That may help offset the other side... our first pissy boater. We were going east in the canal when a 40' or so sailboat came the other direction. A woman on the boat hollered at us, "Slow down!". I was doing about 5.8; I would guess their speed at about 8. We were both tossing the same small amount of wake. Joan said, "You, too!" I looked behind us, and our wake was certainly no more than theirs. :roll: This was in a wide part of the canal and we didn't pass that close. Judging by the look on her face, I just think she was constipated. I recall my sailing days... there were times I felt powerboaters waked us intentionally. Having spent time on both sides, we now know that when most powerboats move, they disturb some water. Or as Joan says, "If you're going to be on the water, you're gonna get waked. Get used to it."




Palmyra has dock space for 4 or 5 boats in an area off the canal. It is a beautiful spot. We are the only boat here. Power and water, but no restrooms or showers. Free.

Family photo op...



Best wishes,
Jim B.

 

[JamesTXSD]

The Colonial Belle MUST be the UGLIEST boat I've seen - and running offshore construction for 30 years I've seen some ugly ones ! ...

While the Colonial Belle isn't the prettiest boat to my eye, either, it has certainly been purposefully built. And the people on her sure seemed to be having a grand time last night! When we came through here a few days ago, they were having a "Jimmy Buffett theme cruise" that night - you can find Parrotheads in most places.

One thing that adds to the appeal of a boat is: usage. And the Colonial Belle seems to be staying busy.

Being from Texas, Dave, I thought you knew... never insult a man's dog, his boat, or his wife. Actually, when "in-state", I think you can put "pick up truck" in that list, too. :wink:

Best wishes,
Jim

 

[teflonmom]

Hi Jim and all,

I just had to talk about the Belle. Her owner Captain handles the boat with a skilled hand. Practice does make perfect.

Because of Pat's walking we always parked just if front of the Dock Masters office if possible. Many times the Belle was very close, but I never worried.

Even in the cooler fall months the Belle was mostly full. I like to see her come and go. She looks better the longer you look. Form follows function and she does her job very well. Some day we may just take a ride.

Another good eating place if your belt can stand it. The Parker House in Newark. They also sell Red Cat by the glass.

Fred, Pat, and Mr. Grey (the cat)

 

[ffheap]

Jim and Joan,

Palmyra is one of my choice spots. They have done a great job with the museums. Also had a great used bookstore.I had Terry buy an original Bowditch for $10.00. A bargan.

According to CRUISING THE NORTHEAST CANALS AND RIVERS, Palmyra had no access to the Canal before the State of New York gave them the money.

I am surprised they don't have showers. There was a building being built on the left when you go up to town. I thought the was for showers and laundry. When we went through Brockport in 2005, Dun and Becky were the first to use their showers, so most of the building along the Canals is new.

To get a good perspective of Rivers and Canals, William Least Heat Moon in his book RIVER HORSE (I tried to buy the boat.) commented when he took his trip across America that the Towns and Cities turned their back to the Canals and Rivers. Being a former industrial area, some of the Canal bottoms must be very dirty.

Happy Sailing,

Fred

 

[ffheap]

Jim and Joan,

Just to give you an idea of how friendships are developed. Fred and Pat are good friends that I do not see often enough. Pat is one of my heros.
The first time I met Fred we were walking through Seneca Falls which happens to be the home of Womens Rights. We were looking at a building and reading some stuff. Fred looked at me and said "Damn women libbers." We have been friends since.

Fred and Pat, until they sold their C-Dory, had the perfect rig. A Roadtrek 170 towing a 22' C-Dory. The best of both worlds in that Pat could navigate both with ease. I plan to duplicate it when I sell the Inn.

Fred

 

[JamesTXSD]

Hi Fred and Pat,

We came across a C-Dory that you will recognize...





That's Wild Blue and Snickers, docked at the Newark waterfront. You will be happy to know that Jim is taking very good care of the boat.

Best wishes,
Jim B.

 

[JamesTXSD]

Jim and Joan,

Palmyra is one of my choice spots. They have done a great job with the museums. Also had a great used bookstore.I had Terry buy an original Bowditch for $10.00. A bargan.

... William Least Heat Moon in his book RIVER HORSE (I tried to buy the boat.) commented when he took his trip across America that the Towns and Cities turned their back to the Canals and Rivers. Being a former industrial area, some of the Canal bottoms must be very dirty.

Happy Sailing,

Fred

There once was a Fred from Nantucket... yeah, I'm not going there. We really enjoyed Palmyra. I think a lot of cruisers don't stop there because of no restroom/shower. The area they have cut in for a marina is beautiful and quiet. It was certainly Izzy's favorite stop (very little traffic noise).

For those not familiar with a Bowditch...

http://www.irbs.com/bowditch/

The towns along the Erie Canal are finding tourism a way to keep some life in the area, since the industrial need for the canal has gone away. Some do this better than others. The towns along the canal have been interesting, but we've seen empty downtown buildings in almost every town. There is plenty of room for growth, and the more progressive communities are building up their waterfronts.

Joan and I were discussing the murkiness of the canal. There certainly is some flow in many areas, but everything the water touches gets a greasy film on it. Joan scrubbed down the dockside of Wild Blue when we pulled in today; when we get ready to leave, we'll rotate her around and get the other side scrubbed down. It doesn't take long to get that "bathtub ring" here. We have seen no evidence of any dumping into the canal, but we have seen some storm drain runoff flowing in.

The canal system here is a remarkable recreational facility. Today (Sunday), we passed two other boats obviously cruising (one rental, one trawler), but we saw a LOT of local fishermen out on small boats.

Best wishes,
Jim

 

[JamesTXSD]

When we met Jim on Snickers, we exchanged boat cards... he also gave us some fun-size Snickers candy bars - a SURE way to guarantee the boat name is remembered. Jim told me he hands out those candy bars to the lock masters each time he goes through... no doubt he gets a very friendly greeting each time (and probably preferential treatment :wink: ).

Best wishes,
Jim B.

PS - Has anyone seen a boat named "Captain Morgan" on the canal? 8)

 

[ffheap]

Very Funny.

 

[toyman]

Captain Morgan ? If it has been on the Canal we've seen it - maybe several times, just don't recollect.

A REAL RED P/U with plates claiming it to be kin to "Wild Blue" ?!? What....they didn't have any blue trucks that day ? :lol:

We're locked down in the State Park Marina (just astern of "Red Rover") - AND we have wheels ! Kinda like the first time - getting behind the wheel after 10 weeks driving the boat. Ya can't use springs to get out of tight parking places, nor can you put the front wheels against the curb and give it a shot of power to swing the stern in - bummer. :sad

Looks like we'll be here when you arrive, the shipment I'm waiting for hasn't shipped yet.