Today was the day. Our life in Purgatory (Schenectady) NY
was about to come to an end. We had returned
from Canada yesterday and while we still had the car we took advantage to
re-supply. It was hot and humid and a lot of work but it had to be done and we
shouldn't complain, right? We have confirmed that Lock 8 would open
tomorrow. This would get us a little farther West in the Erie Canal system. We
guessed that there would be a rush of boaters wanting to move as soon as
possible so we wanted to try and beat the crowds. Even if we only moved one
lock forward it would be a small moral victory.
While we were up early we were in no big hurry to be
underway. It was about a 20 mile trip and there was no reason to get ram-my. We
settle up with the dock master, and topped up our water tanks. Now we just had
to get to the fuel dock for a pump out. There was still quite a current running
and as we were docked perpendicular to the current, undocking and then docking
at the fuel dock would require some planning and skill. The summer student who
was working as a dock master and a neighboring boater were there to help us. Help
us they did and we maneuvered in a three knot current like true
boaters. No worries! A quick pump out and we were on our way by 10 AM. A big
thank you to all of the people that we met in Schenectady, every one that we
met was more than friendly and in spite of the Purgatory feeling we will always
have fond memories of this place.
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| WE SAW THIS CROSS ON THE RIVER BANK SHORTLY AFTER OUR RELEASE FROM PURGATORY |
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| SELFIE ON THE FLY-BRIDGE |
There was still a fair amount of tree branches and debris
coming down the river system so this would add to the experience today. As it
turned out, travelling worked out fine. We traveled a little slower so if we
did hit something there would be less damage to the boat. We weren't worried
about our prop as it is very well protected by the full keel and skeg. As we rounded the last
corner for the day we were greeted by another beautiful view that was becoming
the norm in this part of NY State. River Link Park in Amsterdam NY would be our
home until Lock 9 was open for business.
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| Terrmar at River Link Park |
Amsterdam Link Park was sort of a serve yourself facility.
We did have reservations as suggested in the cruising guide. But there was
little here other than a good safe dock. What else could we ask for? We arrived
about 1:30 in the afternoon and still had some time to drop the dinghy and go
ahead and scout the next lock. This we did and as we approached Lock 9 it was
clear that there was still work being performed. But we did manage to get
enough information from one of the local boaters that Lock 10 was a go
tomorrow. Monitor the Erie Canal website was the advice. We have been doing
that for a long time now and the updates were really, well not up to date. But
like so many things in boating, you have to gleam information from many sources
and sort of put them all together to get usable information.
We retired that evening with plans to head West the next
morning.
Cheers,
Mark
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| THAT'S A WRAP |
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