Erie Canal - Day #3

We spent another night at the top of a lock.  Yesterday at Lock #18 and today at Lock #10, the lock lowers us  down.  So, Distant Horizon was tied to a wall at the lock, but we had not gone through yet.

Distant Horizon tied above Lock #10

We were ready to go through the lock at 7:00am. The lock's water level was set to the lower level. So, we had to wait for the lock to fill. Once we received the green light, our day of locking began. Just as we were set inside the lock. The operator came over and told me it would be another minute, another boat was approaching.

It was a big trawler. A trawler today, is what used to be called a cabin cruiser. Instead of pulling in behind us, they passed us and went to the other side of the lock. It was obvious, they wanted to exit first! Sailors find it hard to believe that motor boaters can always be in such a hurry! Where is the relaxation in that!? For me, it's all about the journey.

A trawler on the other side of Lock #10

By the time that boat was in the lock and set, two more boats were entering the lock. Four boats! This was the most crowded lock of our trip so far.

Two more boats behind us in Lock #10

We began descending the Waterford Flight a little after noon. The Waterford Flight is a series of 5 locks. It is the largest lift in the shortest distance, only 1.5 miles, of any canal system in the world.

Altogether, we transited  9 locks... a busy day!

The good news is we made it from Baldwinsville to Waterford in just three days!

We spent one extra day in Waterford to relax, recover, and do some more work on the boat.

The new flight locks, were built along side the original Erie Canal locks. Here is a photo of the remnants of three Erie Canal locks along-side  Lock #2; the first lock in the flight.

Original Erie Canal Lock remnants

These locks are now used as a spillway for the Waterford Flight when water levels get too high. I was told these are completely original locks and only the doors have been removed.

By comparison, here is a photo of Lock #2.

Erie Lock #2 in Waterford, NY

Many boaters' paths meet in Waterford. Boaters returning home from their distant travels, and boaters just starting their adventures tie to the wharf on the Waterford waterfront. I had the pleasure of meeting Pete, a young man just returning home with his family after a four-year circumnavigation of the globe. We had some great talks, and he had some very useful tips for me since our boats were very similar in size and configuration.

Waterford Wharf

If you don't recognize Distant Horizon as the fourth boat back. Here is a closer view; still with the mast down. We need to traverse one more lock to the Hudson River. That would be the Troy Federal Lock, operated by the Army Corps of Engineers. Then, we will travel about half a day south of Troy to have the mast stepped (put up).

Distant Horizon on the Waterford Wharf