The weather continued to be hot and sultry but on June 23 we left the dock and our masts - our real journey has started. The trip up the Hudson is lovely and pristine on both shores. For the entire trip we rarely saw any commercial or recreational boats. After all, schools are still in session and summer vacations haven’t really started yet. The Hudson is a smooth, calm river that meanders past homes, train tracks and an ever changing vista ahead of us. We still haven’t quite figured out how many miles to go but several options were open for us. One was Coeyman’s Marina and another an anchorage that was charted. We still needed a major clean up and stowing so we chose the Marina. We called, gave them the particulars of ’Interim’s size and length and made a reservation. Much to our surprise when we arrived at the marina there was no room for us and we even had a difficult time maneuvering the boat in the narrowest of channels. We then decided to head for Troy, New York. Easy floating dock only a few transients the rest of the boats were small and seasonal. It had everything we needed - water, pump out, fuel and a park. As we were settling down we began to hear bass music from the park - we couldn’t see up that high and it continued for quite a while. We checked with the dockmaster and found out that the first ’Rockin Wednesday concert was that evening. He also told us that it only lasted from 5 - 8 pm. RIGHT! Very, very loud U2 music lasted until almost 9. Needed AC again. We had a good night sleep and spent the next day cleaning, doing laundry, and getting fuel. Joe, the dockmaster even lent us his truck to get to the hotel where we did laundry. We also found out all about Troy - history, old buildings, fires that burned it down, etc. Didn’t have time to do the full tour but the wrought iron staircase dated way back was gorgeous and saw some interesting monuments. Don’t know if we will stop here on the way back….

Our next stop was Waterford, NY and the locking begins. We left the dock with 2 other boats and requested that they go first so we could check out how it is done. The first lock is the Troy Federal Lock. Two huge doors open up and we slowly make our way to either a pole or ropes and/or both that go from the top of the lock down to the boat. Bill did a wonderful job setting out bumpers and fender boards but we were still a little shaky. After all we were going to be lifted 33’ up with swirling water pouring into the lock. We weren’t exactly graceful doing this but we seemed secure and then waited for the water to come in. With only a little jockeying we kept ‘Interim’ and ourselves safe. It is truly an awesome experience. Looking up at a tall concrete wall and slowly being lifted up while keeping the boat steady. We did scratch the wall slightly with our anchor at the bow but Bill quickly figured out how to manage it. I was so very happy when we reached the top. When the set of doors opened, we let the lines go and quickly left the lock. Success! We did get some good vibes from our fellow lock travelers. We only had to travel a few more miles to get settled at the floating dock in Waterford. Then we called our friends Dave and Carol and visited them at their “Ranch” in the afternoon. It was wonderful seeing them (we met them in the Bahamas), their beautiful home and back yards filled with motorcycles and all kinds of interesting ‘stuff’. Carol even took us for a trail ride through the woods behind their house and Dave remembered the ‘gummy bears‘. We had dinner together and then a goodbye - but we hope to see them again either in Waterford or in their other house in Ticonderoga.

The next day I walked to Hannaford grocery store for a few items and then on to ‘The Flight”. There are 5 locks all in a row that you have to go through without stopping. We didn’t even have our lock legs set yet but onwards we went. It turned out that in a very short time we have the lock dance down pat. No real surprises and for locks 7-20 we did just fine. The lifts were between 7to 30’ except for lock #17. Everyone talked about this lock because it was a little over 40’ high, requiring only a port tie up (Bill did an incredible job keeping the motor of the Whaler safe) daunting to say the least. However, we were just fine and because there were only two boats locking the lockmaster slowed the intake of water to reduce any turbulence.

From Waterford we stayed overnight at the Schenectady Yacht Club. Comfortable floating dock (everyone passing by does keep their wakes to a bare minimum along the entire canal), even a pool (to chilly for a dip). We exchanged yacht club flags and even had Chinese food delivered dockside. We left here for our next overnight at RiverFront Park. We met Don,Connie and their dog, Heidi, aboard a Monk trawler in Lock 13 and traveled with them to Ilion Park for the night. Met the family on ‘Avalon’. After a 10 year journey they are heading home to Canada. Again it was a park with fresh water and power provided free. Their parking lot is also an RV lot. The café was OK with constant attention by the staff and wonderful shower facilities The only stop that was not favorable was at Canajoharie - train tracks and highway with lots of noise all night.

After all the locks we went through going up(the last 5 or so were only about 20’ each) we finally started locking down at locks 21 and 22. So easy. We brought the boat in, picked up a rope and waited for the water to slowly pour out of the lock. However, after a major front went through it got quite chilly and windy. We never had much rain but we had the wind heard that about 20 miles south of us there was a very small tornado.

We are now in Sylvan Lake waiting to cross Oneida Lake for the next part of the trip. We arrived here on Tuesday and found 5 other boats also waiting. Since Bill forgot about the limit of alcohol that the Canadian government allows we have had everyone over for the last two nights to help us reduce our above quota amounts. The company was a delightful mix of Nonsuch sailors going to a racing rendezvous in Sacketts Harbor in Canada, to a family that has been living on their boat for 10 years, to a couple who have the neatest battery operated bicycles. We enjoyed our time together but tomorrow when the winds die down we will be going our separate ways. However, we know we will probably meet up again someday, somewhere.

We have tried to keep up with the historical events that have occurred here but it is overwhelming. I have tons of material that I obtained from the net, books that are on loan to us and talks with so many people who have experienced this trip before us that it may take awhile before I assimilate our experiences. Maybe I should have paid more attention in 4th grade when we studied New York State!

From Long Island Sound to the Hudson River to the Erie Canal to Oneida Lake to the Oswego Canal to Lake Ontario in Canada! To be Continued.