Ready, Set, Go!

We cast off lines from Donavon's Shady Harbor Marina at 0830 yesterday morning. It was great to be on the move again. It took 2 hours to get to Albany when we had driven it in 20 minutes so many times in the last 2 weeks.

Bird on a log.

Albany skyline.

No, I'm not stepping on her head!









Another hour and we arrived at the Troy Federal Lock. Our first experience! Then the lock was closed as they were working on it, tie up on the approach wall.

The dam next to the lock. Notice the calm water.

This is the wall!

We had a very hard time getting off it due to the current pushing us back on to it.







Once inside the lock it still proved a challenge to maneuver Charis close enough to the wall to wrap a line around the vertical pipe. We told the lockmaster it was our first lock and he said he would fill it slowly which he did.

At the top.











Next up was Waterford, the decision point for the Erie or Champlain canals. (Normally) Not for us though as the Erie probably won't open until around the 21st.

The visitor center dock in Waterford.

Next up were locks C1 & C2 on the Champlain Canal. The lockmaster wouldn't answer our radio calls or the phone so we tied up to the wall just outside the lock. He eventually saw us and gave us the green light to enter the lock. This one had hanging ropes and again proved challenging but just a tad easier than the last. As we approached the top of the lock he came down to check our canal pass and said that he would call ahead to lock 2 for us.

The dam next to the dock.

Holding place.









Arriving at lock 2 we again had the red light so we prepared to tie up again. So much for a phone call. Just before we got the lines attached we got the green light and entered. Ann and I always discuss each event we experience to critic how we handled it and how we can improve. This is usually done at the end of the day but today we did it after each lock. We made some changes as to how we would handle this lock and it proved to be a piece of cake.

Looking back at lock 2.

Shortly after Lock 2 we arrived in Mechanicville, NY for the night. The city has a free dock with water and electricity. It's a quaint little town and as we walked up to dinner a lady stopped her car and said we must be boaters and asked if we needed a ride to the grocery or anywhere else in town. What kindness!

Charis at rest for the night on the wall.

Looking ahead at Lock 3.