Waterford: We left Schuylerville about 7:10 and headed south. No locks for 12 miles so we were well past the start of their day when we arrives at lock 4 about 9:00. Lots of barge traffic between locks 4 and 2 as PCB cleanup continues. At lock 1, a couple stopped by to watch us lock thru. They have a boat but have never gone thru locks and we told them what we have learned so far. Arrived at Waterford at 11:30 and tied to the free floating dock - and the folks from Lock 1 were there. They were gone by the time we got the boat secured and power connected and we failed to see them again. We were only one of three boats at the dock, so docking went smoother than we had feared having anticipated a crowded dock. We were both very happy.
Had lunch on the boat and took a nice walk up to the next lock and then around town. Stopped and "Dan and Paul's" diner for a slice of blueberry pie a-la-mode! Rest of the day we reviewed charts for the next day and did an overview plan of our next 3 weeks on the Erie Canal.
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| We went right last time; this time we went left! |
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| The Waterford Harbor Visitor Center |
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| Part of the old locks used as a bypass channel. |
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| A "mule" with an information board on both sides. |
Schenectady: Today, Friday, we start our trip with the "Flight of Five". Five locks, one right after the other, for a total lift of 167 feet! A little intimidating - but all went pretty well except for Lock 5 where we wound up entering too far into the lock and having to tie to a ladder and work our way up 2-3 rungs at a time instead of using the cables provided for that purpose - it worked out fine! 15 miles and one more lock and we were at Schenectady Yacht Club (SYC). SYC is a very laid back club that more resembles and RV park only with boats instead of RV's. You can tell by the tables, chairs, fire-pits and "stuff" that has collected on shore next to the slips. Nice place, great facilities, great folks - just not what most people think of as a yacht club. Oh, no food/restaurant in the clubhouse and nothing within 5 miles. We had lunch on the boat, took an hours nap (Ger is getting good at napping!), washed down the boat and had fried chicken, corn-on-the-cobb and potato salad for dinner.
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| Our first of five. |
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| A Guard Gate - to hold back flooding water. |
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| Our view across the Erie Canal/Mohawk River from our slip! |
Saturday- We rented an Enterprise (they pick you up) Car and went to the Walmart for our prescriptions. As usual, one of Judie's had to be ordered and would not be in until Tuesday after 4:00. We followed that up with a trip to the Movies to see "Ant Man" so we could get a little entertainment fix. Pretty good movie - entertaining and not a lot of thought. We then enjoyed a late lunch/early dinner at Olive Garden and returned to SYC.
Sunday- Up and out the door about 7:20 to drive to the village of Lake George on the south shore of Lake George. We enjoyed breakfast at a local diner and took a leisurely stroll around town. Many shops and restaurants and a beautiful view of the lake. Started driving back on the local roads and stopped at Saratoga Springs, home of the famous Saratoga race track. Many old homes - all well maintained. The traditional horses were a week away from starting the season, but the Casino was open and the trotter races started 45 minutes later. Ger got lucky at the casino and made enough to cover the buffet and A/C seating, so we spent a lazy afternoon dining and watching the races.
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| Lake George courthouse |
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| Memorial to the fallen soldiers |
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| Beautiful landscaping! |
Monday thru Wednesday- was really focused on such exciting chores as: change air filters and sea water strainers, clean the boat inside and out, grocery shop, install a key holder, see "Terminator" movie and update the expense logs. We did visit "Jay Street" in downtown Schenectady where they blocked off traffic for one block and tried to bring in shops and restaurants. Did not work too well as most things are at the end of the block and on the side street surrounding the long time theater in town. But a nice time and you have to give them credit for working at it - and making progress. Schenectady is a General Electric town but much of the research has been moved out to newer facilities closer to larger urban areas.
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| Proctor's Theatre |
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