I probably should have titled this post wonderful Waterford because it really was wonderful. We left Shady Harbor Marina shortly behind Summerland and we both arrived at Waterford together. Upon arrival in Waterford there was less than 100' of dock available for both of us. Since they were ahead of us they went in first and pulled as far forward as possible. That left 48' for our 42' boat! Luckily the current was flowing swiftly against me and I was able to dock Navigator easily on the first try. For those of you that know about "Mertz Luck" it was working in overdrive. Both to have the space available and to get docked in such a tight space.
Waterford is the junction of the Erie Canal and the Champlain Canal. The Erie Canal goes west, eventually to Lake Ontario via the Oswego Canal and the Champlain Canal goes north to Lake Champlain and eventually into Canada. Our choice has always been to go north on the Champlain Canal. There are three other boats going that way also.
Because the Erie Canal was closed due to flooding all the west bound boats were held at Waterford. The Champlain Canal wasn't closed. However, the vertical clearance at the first bridge right in Waterford was less than the 15' we need. Two of the other boats intending to take the same route were at least a foot higher than we are. Therefore we all stuck it out in Waterford until the water receded. When the Erie Canal was scheduled to reopen we were given permission to raft boats two abreast along the wall. We had three boats move from the Albany Yacht Club and raft up to three of us. As I mentioned in the last blog it was lucky that we didn't get into the Albany Yacht Club. We would have been stuck there for a few days rather than in Waterford.
Mark and Jane from Average Looper and Jan and I rode our bicycles to see Cohoes Falls, a beautiful waterfall.. The falls are supposed to be the second most beautiful falls on the east coast, second to Niagara Falls. They really were beautiful and with the flooding the flow of water was amazing.
We had a great time waiting in Waterford and got some projects completed. Just across the bridge was a very convenient super market. They allowed boaters to take their shopping carts back to the docks and they periodically picked them up. It is really unusual how they have to "unlock" the carts otherwise the wheels lock up when you leave their parking lot.
Docktails were a daily event. One bonus was that the there wasn't any additional charge for docking, just our canal pass that we needed anyway. There was a minimal $10.00 charge for electricity. Not per day but total. They were appreciative when we donated the $10.00 deposit for the bathroom key to their volunteer worker fund.
Waterford is definitely high on the list of favorite places.
It's unusual to have direction signs on a waterway. Our first view of Waterford.
I don't remember this from history class.
Main Street in Waterford.
This town is alive and well with many shops and businesses.
This statue, dedicated to the village firemen was in a small park in a prominent
curve on the main road through town.
The Erie Canal Building, bathrooms, etc.
They have web cams that show the docks in both directions from the building.
The line up begins with this canal boat which can be chartered on the Erie Canal.
Annabelle and several others waiting for the Erie Canal to reopen.
Here we are waiting under the bridge for the water to recede.
We are looking toward the first lock on the Erie Canal.
We needed this gauge to drop to 17' to clear the first bridge on the Champlain Canal.
The gauge shows the pool level not the bridge clearance.
The current was flowing past Navigator this fast even though the boat stationary, tied to the dock.
We saw this unusual church on the way to Cohoes Falls.
Beautiful Cohoes Falls.
Another view of Cohoes Falls.
The buildings are for hydro electric power generation.
The Admiral and the Captain at Cohoes Falls.
These signs were on the Champlain Canal also.
We found them very interesting and helpful.
The canal finally reopens and the first load is preparing to go up in the lock.
Notice how the sailboats have their masts down to clear the bridges.
The first load leaving lock 2 for lock 3, just a quarter mile away.
The four Champlain boats awaiting departure.
Sorry, I zoomed in too far on this one and the picture isn't clear.
Our departure from Waterford. Not too many boats left here now.
Onrust again with her mast down for transiting the low bridges on the Erie Canal.
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