Often
we get to a destination only to find that we just missed a significant event or
performance. While in Albany we learned
that Oswego was having its 29th Annual Harborfest the weekend of
July 29. It sounded like fun. After determining we could get dock space on
this busy weekend we decided to make a quick trip across the canals and wait
for the return voyage to stop and see the sights.
The
363 mile long Erie Canal which joins Lake Erie near Buffalo with the Hudson River
just north of Albany was first built between 1817 and 1825. It s purpose was to provide inexpensive transport
for goods from the interior of the country to New York City. Originally it was a 4’x40’ ditch with locks
measuring 90’x15’ and barges were towed by horses or mules. Being very successful throughout the 1800s
more canals were dug and the Erie Canal expanded to accommodate larger and self
propelled boats. The canal advanced
settlement of the Northeast, Midwest and Great Plains. It made New York the Empire state and New
York City the country’s prime seaport. Today
the canal course differs significantly from the original. On the eastern half
it now follows the Mohawk River through multiple dams. Due to height restrictions we can only do the
eastern half to Syracuse.
The
canal starts at Waterford with a series of 5 locks called the “Waterford Flight” that raise vessels 169’ in less than 2 miles,
the greatest height in the shortest distance of any canal in the world.
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| One of Five 34' Locks of the Waterford Flight |
Although
not new to locks it took us a few passages to develop a system to control the
boat in the lock chamber in high winds.
Thankfully PARADISE is equipped with both bow and stern thrusters, so
Jim is able to maintain position without depending on Debby to hold our 20 ton
vessel to the wall with a line.
Our
first stop after 8 locks was Scotia, near Schenectady. It is a very small village famous for Jumpin’
Jacks take out hamburgers. Just a short
walk from the boat we had to try them, and they
were good.
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| Debby Placing Order at Jumpin' Jacks |
Another
day, another 8 locks found us in St Johnsville for the night. We then pressed on to Sylvan Beach at the eastern
end of Oneida Lake. These were both long, and for Debby, boring days although the scenery was quite beautiful. Sylvan Beach is a typical old style lake
beach community complete with its own amusement park. We plan to stop again on the way back. On the 4th day we took it easy and
crossed the 21 mile long Oneida Lake stopping in Brewerton for the night. On the 5th day we went through
lock 23 on the Erie Canal just north of Syracuse then entered the Oswego canal
and negotiated its 8 locks to arrive at “Party City” for the weekend.
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| Typical Erie Canal Scene |
