Sunday, May 26, 2013

Entering the Erie Canal in the rain


Leaving the Hudson for the Historic Erie Canal

Still searching for 70°, we endured more rain and winter temperatures on our run to the eastern end of the Erie Canal at Waterford, NY. Rather than chasing 70° we have been lucky lately to see a seven even in the 60s. Higher areas in our radar view were getting wet snow yesterday and this morning!   I know we are having trouble remembering the date, but it is the end of May isn’t it?

On our way up here we anchored out one night in a foggy but peaceful spot protected from most wind but not the current. The only noise besides the lapping waves came from the occasional trains – only those heading south hooted at us. Needing to step our mast for the low bridges on the canal, we pulled up to the free city dock in Troy to wait for the rain to stop. Being Saturday – there was a farmer’s market on the riverside.  When I called the dock master  - he was in New Orleans at his son’s wedding – he told me we can stay free but the gates would probably be locked since he is no longer running the facility for the city fathers. With all those goodies calling, Steve found a way out to stock our larder. Jumping the fence he procured fresh asparagus, fish, bread, cheese, eggs plus local wine and beer. YUM – we hope this is typical of the markets in this area. Since the rain never let up nor did the temperatures rise, we managed to drop the mast in spite of high winds and freezing rain. Now Steve needs to build a yoke to support the tower when it is reclining. Sounds like a trip to the Home Depot?

Stepped mast temporarily secured on the ice chest and down to a sleek 16+ feet, we successfully navigated the Troy Federal lock and moved three miles up to Waterford visitor center for the remainder of Memorial Day weekend – hoping for warmer and dryer weather but yet to see it. (We have heard there might be an eight in the forecast for the coming week, just hope it is the first number and not the second preceded by a 4 or 5 or even 6.)

Some rainy pictures to share:  

























 

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