Waterford, Fort Edward and Whitehall!

On Tuesday, we headed from Kingston to Waterford, NY. Waterford is at the intersection of the Hudson River, the Erie Canal, and the Champlain Canal. From this point, we could take the Erie & Oswego  Canals, and head west into lake Erie, or take the Champlain Canal north thru Lake Champlain and into Canada. We are heading up the Champlain.

The Hudson River has numerous older light houses shining their beacons to direct boaters away from shallow areas.

These canals were dug by hand in the 1800’s. They had paths along side where mules would pull barges loaded with goods to their destination. For us to transit the canals, we purchase a Canal Pass from the State. This allows us usage of the canals, and also usage of free walls in the towns for overnight mooring. The towns people look forward to the spring when boaters again descend on their restaurants and shops.

When we were here in 2006, the lock master at Lock 2 let Pat operate these controls to fill the lock with water so some boats could transit.

The equipment at the locks, and the boats and barges that service the locks and canals are kept clean, and freshly painted with blue and orange.

Traveling the Canals is scenic, relaxing and easy boating. 

We traveled a few days with two new to us looper boats - Jackets II, and Blue Heron. The lock masters appreciate it when you travel in groups. That way they can lock numerous boats thru at once, and let the next lock know we are coming so the lock is ready when we get there.

On Wednesday we stayed at Fort Edward, then on to Whitehall on Thursday. There is a lot of history along the canals.

We tied up to the wall in Whitehall, and had cocktails with our buddy boats.

This little cottage sits on the hill right across from where we are moored.

This abandoned rail road bridge runs over lock 12 in Whitehall. A performing arts theater was built on the bridge. We remembered it from our stay here in 2006. We walked down to see if there was a chance they had a performance, but it has been closed.





Today - Friday - we will travel to Port Henry at the bottom of Lake Champlain. Rich and Judi will grab an Amtrak Train there, and head back to New York City for their flight home. It sure was nice having “Staff” aboard to help with all the chores!

We will then head to Burlington, VT for a few days to provision and do laundry.

Then it’s the rest of the way up the lake where we will enter Canada.

We have to figure out our broadband access for Canada yet, but will let you know if we will be “connected” before we cross the boarder.

Captn Ken