South to Waterford - the junction of the Erie Canal and the Hudson River

Early on Saturday morning, Oct 3, we left.  

After clearing customs at Cape Vincent, critical missing groceries and stores were procured (wine, beer, liquor and food).  We then crossed Lake Ontario to Oswego on a relatively calm and sunny day. 

Cape Vincent is a great place to stop.  There is a free town dock and, when it is occupied, an excellent and well protected anchorage.  Customs, a grocery store, a liquor store, a bank and several restaurants are all within easy walking distance.  The liquor store started with reasonable prices and then gave us a further 10% discount.  What more could you ask for!!!

Oswego is also very boater friendly.  For Canadian boaters, I am told, there is a customs office just below the first lock.  If you make it through that first lock, you can tie up overnight for free.  Most shopping is within a reasonable distance, although perhaps not quite as convenient as Cape Vincent.

The salmon were running and so where the lake trout.  On our way into town, we saw one fisherman’s catch of 3 salmon and 1 trout:  all in the order of 20 lbs and over.

The Oswego and Erie Canals proved again to be “easy going”.

 

 

The scenery can be beautiful, if somewhat repetitive.

We managed to master one technique of docking in the locks which worked well. Using our single prop,  I would bring the boat to a stop on our starboard side.  The prop-walk would bring the stern into the wall.  I would then use the bow thruster to bring the bow in after Beverley had grabbed or secured a stern line.  As the bow came in, Gerry would secure our admidships and Pam would secure the bow.

 

 Pam dubbed herself the “Happy Hooker” – boat hooker, that is.

 

 

Beverley took up the stern station and did well in spite of sore wrists.

Gerry took up the mid-ships section.  Generally speaking, if we could control the mid-ship station and could pull the boat tight into the wall, the bow and the stern would follow.  Thus, the mid-ship station was probably the most important.

 

We did not see a lot of commercial traffic on the Oswego or Erie Canals.  When we did, it was impressive.  How this tug controlled two barges by pushing them I do not know, but he did it very well.  We also assumed the “gross tonnage rule” determined right of way.  He was so big, strong, heavy and likely unmanoeuvrable compared to us, that we just kept the Hell out of his way.

 

 Typical scenery

 

 

 More typical scenery.  We were heading South just before the trees hit their peak of colour.

 

Early morning while waiting for the lock to open.

 

 Later in the day.

 

Often the locks would be right beside a dam.  

 

 

The Admiral and Vice-Admiral quilting on the saloon floor while the Captain and First Lieutenant navigated.

 

 

A suspension bridge just outside of Waterford.