One lock to go!

Grace and I were happy about our progress. We had successfully negotiated 30 locks over the past two weeks. During that time we sat at the top of Lock #24 in our home village of Baldwinsville; making provisioning an relatively easy task.

Now, from Waterford, there is just one lock to go before reaching the tidal portion of the Hudson River. That is the Troy Federal Lock in Troy, NY.  This lock is run by the US Army Corps of Engineers.

Before departing, we made one trip to Ron and Paul's for breakfast. After all those days of early starts, I owed Grace a breakfast and a relaxed start. We knew from experience the trip to Catskill would not take the whole day. We departed about 10:15.

The Troy Federal Lock is just about two miles from Waterford. So, it doesn't take long. I hailed them on the radio: "Troy Lock...", but no response. The chart lists the lock as Troy Lock. I tried, US Lock #1, Lock #1... Altogether, I tried five times before getting a response. That was, "You are trying to hail the Troy Federal Lock". That was it, no other communication. So, I continued to say over the radio, "We are traveling south and request transit through the lock". The operator, responded in a very belligerent tone... "You request a transit south through the Troy Federal Lock." I simply said, "Yes, sir". At this point I was not going to use his terminology. I did use the nomenclature on the chart.

He eventually opened the door. It close quickly behind us. As I pull into a lock, with the mast hanging out ahead of the boat, the mast will swing over the lock wall. Before we could secure a line, the lock was dropping. My mast was over the wall. We were free-floating in the lock and the currents were reecking havoc with Distant Horizon's keel. I'm shouting "Stop! ... Stop!" We start dropping faster. My mast is beginning to bend as it is holding the weight of the 28,000 pound boat up on the wall. I start shouting, "Up! Up!" Finally we stop.

The operator slowly walks down the lock to our location. As he reaches us, I get the mast off the wall and we drop about three feet. His first response was, "I can't stop xxx gallons instantly". Did I hear that right? Hi first response was an excuse? He didn't inquire if as to the cause of the all the shouting and why he had to stop the lock? He screwed up and knew it!

I tried to explain what had happened... and all he wanted to do was change the subject and asked for  my Documentation Number! I knew 12 year-old hockey players who were more mature. He was definitely acting like he was a twelve year old in trouble! There was no getting any forms from him to file the incident!

Well, our 31st lock, reverse the numbers and it was unlucky 13! At least both Grace and I were okay. This could have been much worst with Grace leaning over the the side of the boat trying to get a line on the pipe; the mast falling on us... I didn't want to think of everything else that could have gone wrong.

We got out of there quickly. As we were leaving the lock, I hear the operator say, "Have a safe day!"

Now the cradle that holds out mast up is partially split and we would have to deal with big boats and their wakes on the Hudson River!

With the tide running with us, it seemed like we flew through Troy and Albany.

Before leaving Baldwinsville, my good friend Don asked if we would pass under the Thruway bridge that crosses the Hudson River as you turn east towards Mass. Then, he told me what it was like on his motorcycle trying to cross the bridge and still look over the side. So, Don. Here's a different perspective. I took this from Castleton-On-Hudson. For scale, under the left side of the bridge is an ocean going barge. It was docked and being unloaded. So, I couldn't get it passing under.

Castleton-On-Hudson Bridge

Just north of the bridge is Castleton Boat Club. Here, you can rent their Gin Pole and step your own mast. My mast is too heavy for Grace and me to manage. That is why we are going to Catskill where they have a crane to do the heavy work. The Gin Pole is on the right side of this photo, just above the sailboat.

Castleton Boat Club

A thunderstorm was approaching shortly after passing under the bridge. I sent Grace below because of the lightning. I had to steer, which was ok. The boat has a wood wheel, and the solar panels are over my head. The safest place in a thunderstorm is a car... not because of the rubber tires, but because of the metal roof overhead. If struck by lightning, the air would ionize, preventing the lightning from  going beneath the metal roof! I was hoping the same was true for the solar panels, but I would be happier no to test my theory.

I got soaked from the downpour associated with the storm. About 20 minutes after that ended, we were hit by another. I had a foul weather jacket on, but not the pants. I was regretting that. The rain was cold.

An hour later, another thunderstorm hit us. I put on the leather gloves we use in the locks; hoping the leather would help keep my hands warm. This thunderstorm came with all accouterments... meaning enough pea-sized hail to collect in the cockpit. I was standing in ice water from the hail!

Pea-size hail

A half hour later, another thunderstorm! I changed my tactics. Grace had taken the wheel so I could change into dry clothes. Now, I was just going to circle back north close and let the thunderstorms pass ahead of us. This fourth thunderstorm was the biggest of all. The boat was heeling over from the wind. So, I pulled close to the western shore where there was barely a ripple. Here we could hide from the winds while we waited.

There were five thunderstorms in all as we traveled south on the Hudson River. When it was all over, we were blessed with this full rainbow! A second started, but then faded away.

Full Rainbow!

This typical Hudson River Lighthouse sits in the middle of the river, marking the side of the channel. It is just a couple miles before the Rip Van Winkle Bridge, which connects Catskill to the other side of the river. We are almost there, and this day of drama is just about over!

Hudson River Lighthouse