After the water receded we were able to leave Waterford. Again, we enjoyed Waterford and the company of many other loopers. At docktails Jan met a woman wearing a Kilarney shirt. After talking to her she was from Kilarney Ontario, a planned stop on our trip, not just wearing a Kilarney shirt. During their conversation Jan learned she is a cousin to Frank the mechanic who repaired Mike's boat engine in 2001. Frank is still working and we plan to see him while we are in Kilarney.
Our first stop on the Champlain Canal was Mechanicville, NY. They have a free dock in town that we took advantage of. We also rode their town transit bus for $.25 per person one way to the Ugly Rooster cafe. We all had a good lunch and returned to the dock for docktails later in the afternoon. They have a new building that contained bathrooms and showers and a roofed deck with picnic tables. We enjoyed Mechanicville enough that we stayed another night and returned to the Ugly Rooster for a late breakfast by bicycle. Thank you Mechanicville.
Our next stop was Port Edward for another free dock. This time it was the Anvil Restaurant, a converted blacksmith shop. The canal into the free dock was reported to be very shallow and caution was required. Luckily none of us had any problems. We enjoyed bicycle riding here also. We are using the bicycles much more than the dinghy.
Whitehall New York was the next stop. Whitehall claim to fame is the birthplace of the U S Navy and the deteriorating remains of the Ticonderoga. We walked up a steep hill to view the Skene Mansion which was built for $25,000. That amount equates to around $650,000 today. Apparently the cost was contained partly because the stone was quarried on the property. It was sad to see most of the storefronts near the waterfront vacant and or for sale. One nice looking building had a price of only $25,000 and wasn't sold. Possibly there is an area away from the waterfront that is more viable. On a walk we saw a nice Chevrolet dealership with many new pickups on their lot. The liquor store and ice cream shop were doing great business. It is really sad to see these towns with their beautiful buildings deteriorating.
After Whitehall we chose to raft up and anchor out. Larry from Panacea is our experienced anchor guru and he chose a beautiful spot. We all enjoyed cocktails on Average Looper and dinner on our own. Jan and I had only anchored out once before and didn't sleep much at all. This night we slept great. A gentle breeze kept us cool and comfortable. The next morning we separated the raft and all headed for Burlington, Vermont.
This is self explanatory.
Stretch Armstrong! Does anyone else remember the toy from the 70's?
Because we are about a foot lower that two of the other boats we are traveling with I stood behind the bimini with my arms raised, if I didn't touch they would clear these low bridges.
This stream was beside the gazebo at Mechanicville, NY.
Our group inside the Ugly Rooster Cafe.
From left to right, Larry and Jan from Panacea, Mark from Average Looper, Don and Anita from Limelight, Jane from Average Looper and Jan and I from Navigator.
Even flooded, this area is beautiful!
Finally a warm day. 88.7 feels great!
The flooding makes for beautiful waterfalls.
This unique house and car were both for sale.
The mountain in the background helps make this scene.
After going up in another lock we were treated to this beautiful scene.
We enjoyed a nice meal here.
The exterior of the Anvil Restaurant.
Jan is wondering when this last was used to tie up a horse.
Jane McCrea House, beautifully maintained.
I wonder how old this sign is?
This scene was painted on the side of a building.
We think this was the Catholic Rectory.
Beautiful old house converted to a funeral home.
I had to photo this. I don't think this would pass inspection in Minnesota.
Sunrise the morning we left Fort Edward.
That is Skene Manor up on the hill in Whitehall, NY.
It was quite a climb up the hill to Skene Manor.
Skene Manor is being preserved at great expense.
Jan and Tom at the Skene Manor with our boats in the background.
A closer view of our boats on the free wall in Whitehall, NY.
Maybe liquor is the business to own in a dying city!
Birthplace of the U S Navy.
There was a little fog in the morning we left Whitehall, NY.
Another low bridge to clear. This may be the lowest one on the Champlain Canal.
We are good to go! Canada here we come.
It's DEEP here. Why can't this average out with the New Jersey intracoastal?
This tiny island doesn't look large enough for that building and aid to navigation.
This is a ferry terminal that is no longer needed since they built a bridge.
It is a nice bridge though.
The beginning of Lake Champlain.
At anchor with a front moving through.
Stretch Armstrong! Does anyone else remember the toy from the 70's?
Because we are about a foot lower that two of the other boats we are traveling with I stood behind the bimini with my arms raised, if I didn't touch they would clear these low bridges.
This stream was beside the gazebo at Mechanicville, NY.
Our group inside the Ugly Rooster Cafe.
From left to right, Larry and Jan from Panacea, Mark from Average Looper, Don and Anita from Limelight, Jane from Average Looper and Jan and I from Navigator.
Even flooded, this area is beautiful!
Finally a warm day. 88.7 feels great!
The flooding makes for beautiful waterfalls.
This unique house and car were both for sale.
The mountain in the background helps make this scene.
After going up in another lock we were treated to this beautiful scene.
We enjoyed a nice meal here.
The exterior of the Anvil Restaurant.
Jan is wondering when this last was used to tie up a horse.
Jane McCrea House, beautifully maintained.
I wonder how old this sign is?
This scene was painted on the side of a building.
We think this was the Catholic Rectory.
Beautiful old house converted to a funeral home.
I had to photo this. I don't think this would pass inspection in Minnesota.
Sunrise the morning we left Fort Edward.
That is Skene Manor up on the hill in Whitehall, NY.
It was quite a climb up the hill to Skene Manor.
Skene Manor is being preserved at great expense.
Jan and Tom at the Skene Manor with our boats in the background.
A closer view of our boats on the free wall in Whitehall, NY.
Maybe liquor is the business to own in a dying city!
Birthplace of the U S Navy.
There was a little fog in the morning we left Whitehall, NY.
Another low bridge to clear. This may be the lowest one on the Champlain Canal.
We are good to go! Canada here we come.
It's DEEP here. Why can't this average out with the New Jersey intracoastal?
This tiny island doesn't look large enough for that building and aid to navigation.
This is a ferry terminal that is no longer needed since they built a bridge.
It is a nice bridge though.
The beginning of Lake Champlain.
At anchor with a front moving through.
Scenes from our anchorage.
Sunrise the morning we departed for Burlington, VT.
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