R Island: July 23-26 Canajoharie and Little Falls

Canajoharie: We left Schenectady at 7:30 and headed west. The scenery was very nice - lots of trees, clean water, great vistas, farms, cloudless skies and too many bald eagles to count. One little problem was the wind, as it built to 15 mph and swirled in the locks, and made it difficult to keep the boat in place. We had originally planned to stop after about 30 miles at lock 12, but as things were going well, we rolled on another 17 miles to Canajoharie - the Indian name means "boiling pot" or bowls created at waterfalls as the water passes over the rocks. After squaring away the boat, we took the mile walk to enjoy the falls and boiling pots. We passed a weird little traffic light in the middle of a 5-way intersection. This lite, the guide book says, is one of only of three of this type in the state - I say one of three in the world!

Beautiful to look at!

VW On top of 100 foot smoke stack - what else can I say!

At a five way intersection

Boiling pots

R Island at the Canajoharie Dock.

Little Falls: The highlight of the trip to Little falls, 20 miles and 4 locks, was Lock 17! The lock is a rise of 40 feet and the entrance gate is a three part vertical lift door (you get wet when you pass under it). As always, all went well and it was easier than anticipated.
We also passed the home town of Sawyer Frederick - last years winner of "The Voice" and they had a 15 foot by 60 foot sign facing the canal with his name - pretty cool for us as this is one show we follow pretty close when we can.
We arrived at Little Falls about noon and had lunch on the boat. Little Falls is an old manufacturing and Railroad and Canal town that seems to be holding it together. Neat old buildings, lots of antique shops and good restaurants. We walked town in the afternoon and had dinner at the Copper Moose - a brew pub with updated "New American Food". Next day, Saturday, we visited the antique shops and bought some things to haul home; went to the Farmers Market and visited the Historical Society. All very relaxing. We decided to stay another day and catch up on this blog, and just watch the water go by.