Week Nine - May 27, 2013 - Continued
Saturday June 1, 2013
Saturday morning came bright and sunny, and we were getting ready to motor off to a mooring up river. Talked to Steve, the marina manager, and asked him about nearby moorings. Steve said he did not have may boats coming in that day, so we were welcome to stay for an extra day at no charge! Well!! Free is good, so we opted to enjoy the day with some bloody marys and reading. Great day, nice location, free, what more could you ask
Sunday, June 2
So, Sunday morning broke bright and clear. A lazy start, a stop by the pump out dock, and off we went about eleven thirty am. This gave us a good run up river with the tide behind us. That always helps the fuel consumption.
Saturday morning came bright and sunny, and we were getting ready to motor off to a mooring up river. Talked to Steve, the marina manager, and asked him about nearby moorings. Steve said he did not have may boats coming in that day, so we were welcome to stay for an extra day at no charge! Well!! Free is good, so we opted to enjoy the day with some bloody marys and reading. Great day, nice location, free, what more could you ask
Sunday, June 2
So, Sunday morning broke bright and clear. A lazy start, a stop by the pump out dock, and off we went about eleven thirty am. This gave us a good run up river with the tide behind us. That always helps the fuel consumption.
Bear Mountain Bridge - Peekskill, New York
Our trip up river was about 35 NM today, and took us past some breathtaking scenery.
Riverside Buildings at US Military Academy at West Point
General Tadeusz Kosciuszko - Watching Over West Point
General Kosciuszko is credited with designing the defenses at West Point. You can clearly see his statue high above the trees from the Hudson.
Bannerman's Castle - North of West Point
35 NM upriver found us at the Mariners Restaurant on the Hudson. They advertise a free nights dockage if you patronize their restaurant for dinner, so what could we do but accept? Well, free is not always good. The food was excellent, but the docks were ancient floating docks that bucked like a bronco. There is no staff to help you in or out, but a few Tiki Bar patrons lent a hand, and we got docked with no problem. After the river calmed down at sunset, the ride was not bad at all, but of course, there was no power or any other amenities, so it was like being on a hook. The really bad part was that the railroad line ran about fifty feet the other side of the restaurant, and starting about ten at night, the overnight freight cars went by at about forty-five minute intervals. And, since there was a crossing at the restaurant, they had to sound their horns coming through. Talk about levitating out of your bed!! Still, it was free, the food was good, and the locals were great to talk to.
Tiki Bar at Mariners Restaurant - Pazza Bella in Background
Week Ten - June 3, 2013
Monday, June 3
We woke Monday to a dreary view. Light rain, much cooler, and a river flat as a pancake. After firing up the generator and having a pot of Veronica's most excellent coffee, we threw the lines, and once again headed up river.
Today's journey would be a short 15 NM trip to Rondout Creek at Kingston NY>
We woke Monday to a dreary view. Light rain, much cooler, and a river flat as a pancake. After firing up the generator and having a pot of Veronica's most excellent coffee, we threw the lines, and once again headed up river.
Today's journey would be a short 15 NM trip to Rondout Creek at Kingston NY>
Esopus Meadows Point Lighthouse - Esopus, NY
A nine am departure saw us at Rondout Creek by eleven am.
Rondout Creek Lighthouse - Kingston, NY
Talk about a picturesque setting. We will be posting pictures of the creek and surroundings later. This is one of the most beautiful places we have been to date. We will be here for a few days while we await the new water pump and I get it installed. Can't think of a better place to do it!!
Tuesday, June 4
UPS tells us the water pump won't be here until late in the day, so a little exploration sounded like fun. We got a cab from the marina to the top of the hill going into downtown Kingston, and visited all of the shops down to the creek, where we found the Maritime Museum. After a few hours going through the museum, appetizers and drinks at the Mariner's Harbor seemed like a great idea, so we sat by the creek for dinner. Back to the creek for the evening.
UPS tells us the water pump won't be here until late in the day, so a little exploration sounded like fun. We got a cab from the marina to the top of the hill going into downtown Kingston, and visited all of the shops down to the creek, where we found the Maritime Museum. After a few hours going through the museum, appetizers and drinks at the Mariner's Harbor seemed like a great idea, so we sat by the creek for dinner. Back to the creek for the evening.
Mike Quaffing an Afternoon Ale at Dermot Mahoney's Irish Pub - Kingston NY
Mike & Veronica - Mariner's Harbor - Kingston NY
Wednesday, June 5
Our new water pump came in late Tuesday, and after a beautiful sunrise, I spent the day installing the pump and generally working on the engines. Found a few more minor problems, but will have them addressed when we stop at Ess-Kay Marine in Brewerton, just outside of Syracuse.
Our new water pump came in late Tuesday, and after a beautiful sunrise, I spent the day installing the pump and generally working on the engines. Found a few more minor problems, but will have them addressed when we stop at Ess-Kay Marine in Brewerton, just outside of Syracuse.
Sunrise at Rondout Creek - Kingston NY
Thursday & Friday, June 6 & 7
The weather failed us again, so we spent two days watching the rain come down. Darlene, the gal who is owns the Waterside Café at the marina, offered us the loan of her car, and we went off shopping and provisioning again. It was a really lousy rainy cold day, and we picked up provisions for Darlene so she could make some homemade Chicken soup for dinner. Boy, was it good. We took most of our meals for two days at her Café, and she is one heck of a cook. She used to be a personal chef, traveling around the world cooking for clients. Practice really does make perfect.
When we got back from shopping, who should we find on our dock but our old friends from Puddleduck, Ken, Jean and Patti. We got to catch up compare notes.
Saturday, June 8
Ken, Jean and Patti from Puddleduck, Galen, Becky and her brother Gary from Mooring Dove, and Veronica and I got together for a last breakfast at the Waterside Café, and all left for Waterford, NY at the mouth of the Erie Canal at the same time, about 10:00 am. Puddleduck is much faster than Mooring Dove and Pazza Bella, so they got there before us, and radioed back all the poop on the first lock (the Federal Lock), at Troy. After an uneventful trip up the remainder of the Hudson, the port of Albany and then Troy, with the first lock, got a little nerve wracking. The water was really ripping at the lock entrance, and the cross current was treacherous. Add to that the rain starting up again, and it was exciting. But, no harm no foul, and Puddleduck was waiting to help us in at Waterford.
The weather failed us again, so we spent two days watching the rain come down. Darlene, the gal who is owns the Waterside Café at the marina, offered us the loan of her car, and we went off shopping and provisioning again. It was a really lousy rainy cold day, and we picked up provisions for Darlene so she could make some homemade Chicken soup for dinner. Boy, was it good. We took most of our meals for two days at her Café, and she is one heck of a cook. She used to be a personal chef, traveling around the world cooking for clients. Practice really does make perfect.
When we got back from shopping, who should we find on our dock but our old friends from Puddleduck, Ken, Jean and Patti. We got to catch up compare notes.
Saturday, June 8
Ken, Jean and Patti from Puddleduck, Galen, Becky and her brother Gary from Mooring Dove, and Veronica and I got together for a last breakfast at the Waterside Café, and all left for Waterford, NY at the mouth of the Erie Canal at the same time, about 10:00 am. Puddleduck is much faster than Mooring Dove and Pazza Bella, so they got there before us, and radioed back all the poop on the first lock (the Federal Lock), at Troy. After an uneventful trip up the remainder of the Hudson, the port of Albany and then Troy, with the first lock, got a little nerve wracking. The water was really ripping at the lock entrance, and the cross current was treacherous. Add to that the rain starting up again, and it was exciting. But, no harm no foul, and Puddleduck was waiting to help us in at Waterford.
Breakfast at Waterside Café - Rondout Yacht Basin - Kingston NY
Gary (l to r), Ken, Jean, Mike, Veronica, Patty, Becky and Galen
Darlene (l) & Veronica
Sunday, June 9
We awoke Sunday to a beautiful day, and to all of the local vendors setting up for their weekly farmer's market on the docks next to our boat. Fresh fruits, breakfast, hot coffee, live music, and the locals all taking advantage of the weather. Puddleduck left mid morning, but we and Mooring Dove and a few other loopers decided to stay for the festivities. It seems that everywhere we go, the views and the people we meet just get better and better.
We awoke Sunday to a beautiful day, and to all of the local vendors setting up for their weekly farmer's market on the docks next to our boat. Fresh fruits, breakfast, hot coffee, live music, and the locals all taking advantage of the weather. Puddleduck left mid morning, but we and Mooring Dove and a few other loopers decided to stay for the festivities. It seems that everywhere we go, the views and the people we meet just get better and better.
Set Up for Farmers Market on the Dock at Waterford, NY
First Lock on Erie Canal - Waterford NY - Ready for the Next Leg
Week Eleven, June 10, 2013
Monday, June 10, 2013
Once again, more rain is supposed to visit us.
We left the dock at 8:00 am to take advantage of the first lock opening of the day at 8:15. The first thing you do on the Erie Canal is to go through the "Waterford Flight". This refers to the E2 through E6 locks. They are so close together that there is no stopping between locks. Once you start through, you must continue to beyond lock E6. The flight constitutes the highest lift (155') in the shortest vertical distance (four miles, give or take) of any lock system in the world. We did the flight in about two hours, and Veronica came through like a trooper. She now considers herself (with justification) an old salt, and has stopped worrying about all the horror stories she heard from other loopers.
As an aside, we heard from many loopers how unfriendly and rude the Erie Lockmasters were, and how bad a shape the locks were in, etc etc. Well, I don't know what the problem was, but after the first seven locks, we found the Lockmasters friendly and helpful, and the locks very well kept. One Lockmaster, after hearing me talk to someone else about a new o-ring I had to order, took me to his shop and searched for a replacement for me. Wow!!
We decided to stop at the Schenectady Yacht Club
Once again, more rain is supposed to visit us.
We left the dock at 8:00 am to take advantage of the first lock opening of the day at 8:15. The first thing you do on the Erie Canal is to go through the "Waterford Flight". This refers to the E2 through E6 locks. They are so close together that there is no stopping between locks. Once you start through, you must continue to beyond lock E6. The flight constitutes the highest lift (155') in the shortest vertical distance (four miles, give or take) of any lock system in the world. We did the flight in about two hours, and Veronica came through like a trooper. She now considers herself (with justification) an old salt, and has stopped worrying about all the horror stories she heard from other loopers.
As an aside, we heard from many loopers how unfriendly and rude the Erie Lockmasters were, and how bad a shape the locks were in, etc etc. Well, I don't know what the problem was, but after the first seven locks, we found the Lockmasters friendly and helpful, and the locks very well kept. One Lockmaster, after hearing me talk to someone else about a new o-ring I had to order, took me to his shop and searched for a replacement for me. Wow!!
We decided to stop at the Schenectady Yacht Club
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
Well, here we are and here we stay for awhile. It rained all night, and the locks from E6 to E19 are closed to traffic. The Mohawk river has risen two feet since yesterday, and I don't know if we can even clear the bridges until it goes down. The current in the river has doubled it's speed since yesterday, and everything from empty 55 gallon drums to trees and stumps has been flying by the boat.
Wednesday, June 12
Canal/river update.
It's 7:30 am, and the river is still up. It crested last night at 5'-8" above normal datum, which means that bridges that had a 20' clearance now have a 14'-4" clearance. Moot point, since the Canal Corporation still has the locks closed. Doubt very much if they will open today. No rain in today's forecast, but tomorrow afternoon is supposed to bring more. I will spend the day reducing our clearance to minimum. I will remove the dinghy davit and the anchor light mast, and fill the fuel and water tanks to max.
The level is down 8" and falling. There is so much debris in the water that we have sucked something up into the air conditioning/heating strainer and into the water pump. So, today will also clean out the strainer and take apart and clean the pump. We found the problem when the heat kicked on at around midnight and the pump started to squeal like a banshee. Levitation is not a fantasy!!
More to follow when the rain stops and the river calms down!!
Well, here we are and here we stay for awhile. It rained all night, and the locks from E6 to E19 are closed to traffic. The Mohawk river has risen two feet since yesterday, and I don't know if we can even clear the bridges until it goes down. The current in the river has doubled it's speed since yesterday, and everything from empty 55 gallon drums to trees and stumps has been flying by the boat.
Wednesday, June 12
Canal/river update.
It's 7:30 am, and the river is still up. It crested last night at 5'-8" above normal datum, which means that bridges that had a 20' clearance now have a 14'-4" clearance. Moot point, since the Canal Corporation still has the locks closed. Doubt very much if they will open today. No rain in today's forecast, but tomorrow afternoon is supposed to bring more. I will spend the day reducing our clearance to minimum. I will remove the dinghy davit and the anchor light mast, and fill the fuel and water tanks to max.
The level is down 8" and falling. There is so much debris in the water that we have sucked something up into the air conditioning/heating strainer and into the water pump. So, today will also clean out the strainer and take apart and clean the pump. We found the problem when the heat kicked on at around midnight and the pump started to squeal like a banshee. Levitation is not a fantasy!!
More to follow when the rain stops and the river calms down!!
Week 12, June 17, 2013
Monday, June 17
Well, like the song says, "Ole Man River, he don't say nothin, he must know somethin"!!!!
We are well and truly stuck. The Mohawk River, which is part of the Erie Canal System, rose to nine feet above datum elevation last week, with a fourfold increase in the current and flow. It is back down, as we speak, but unfortunately, the huge volume of water has damaged Lock Nine, which is upstream of where we are, and the Canal Corporation has told us it will be at least a week until it is repaired and back in service. So, here we sit, watching the water go by.
Well, like the song says, "Ole Man River, he don't say nothin, he must know somethin"!!!!
We are well and truly stuck. The Mohawk River, which is part of the Erie Canal System, rose to nine feet above datum elevation last week, with a fourfold increase in the current and flow. It is back down, as we speak, but unfortunately, the huge volume of water has damaged Lock Nine, which is upstream of where we are, and the Canal Corporation has told us it will be at least a week until it is repaired and back in service. So, here we sit, watching the water go by.
Veronica and Mike - Schenectady Yacht Club
That being the case, there is not much to report on.
Most of the boats we were traveling with are strung out along the canal and stuck like we are. So, till we have something to more report, adios.
Most of the boats we were traveling with are strung out along the canal and stuck like we are. So, till we have something to more report, adios.
Week 13, June 24, 2013
Sunday, June 30
Here we still sit at Schenectady Yacht Club. The canal was scheduled to open Friday the 28th, but torrential rain in Herkimer (six inches in a few hours), forced the continued closure. Now they have a 1/4 mile long backup of debris at Lock 14, and no idea when they can clear it. Happy Great Loop!!!
Rumor has it that there are 100 boats stuck between here and Croton-On-Hudson, and a whole bunch more stuck along the East Coast waiting for a resolution.
We'll post more info as available.
Here we still sit at Schenectady Yacht Club. The canal was scheduled to open Friday the 28th, but torrential rain in Herkimer (six inches in a few hours), forced the continued closure. Now they have a 1/4 mile long backup of debris at Lock 14, and no idea when they can clear it. Happy Great Loop!!!
Rumor has it that there are 100 boats stuck between here and Croton-On-Hudson, and a whole bunch more stuck along the East Coast waiting for a resolution.
We'll post more info as available.