TI: Erie Canal - Waterford Free Dock to Guy Park, Amsterdam NY

Depart: Waterford Free Dock 8:20
Arrive: Guy Park, Amsterdam, NY 3:50
Distance: 44 nm
Locks: 10

We had clear skies and bright sun today allowing Clark to capture some great "reflection" shots.

Bridge Reflection on Erie Canal

Trees Reflection on Erie Canal

Even though the chart markings indicate that our vertical clearance with the mast lowered is sufficient to get under the bridges, we still felt concerned as we approached what looked like very low bridges on the Erie Canal. We found when we measured our clearance requirements (back home in Rumson) that if I extended a boat pole on the bow, I could verify that we could make it under with our mast lowered.

Evelyn on Bow with Boat Pole
to verify clearance on next bridge.

Bridge looked very low, but
we cleared with 2-to-3 feet to spare.

The introduction to the Erie Canal consists of the "flight of five" locks numbered 2 through 6.  Almost as soon as we exited a lock, we came to the next one. Everything went well until we came to Lock 5 where we suddenly found ourselves with our fenders on the wrong side of the boat to lock through. Before we could enter the lock, I needed to move all the fenders from the starboard side to the port side.

Lock walls are slimy and some have very rough and deteriorating walls. With 57 feet of boat to protect, we have a lot of fender protection going on. When we enter a lock going up, we need fenders high. When the water has risen to the top of the lock, we find ourselves requiring fenders low to keep us off the wall as we tower over the edge. Consequently, we have fenders alternating up and down to maximize protection. To move all of this by myself as Clark pilots the boat takes me between 15 and 20 minutes depending on how cooperative the fenders and fender boards are when I attempt to move them.

The tender at Lock 2 was supposed to tell us of a valve failure at Lock 5 forcing the port tie. He did not mention any issues to us! Given I had no advance notice and had to do the move "under pressure", I cursed and muttered the entire time I moved fenders and fender boards.

Doors open at Lock 4 with Green Light to Proceed

After exiting Lock 6, the last in the "flight of five", we got to enjoy some of the scenery on the Erie Canal.

Lots of Green Trees on the Erie Canal

Besides Locks, the waterway has
"Guard Gates" to control water flow.
Here again, we wondered if we would fit under.

Canal Boat on the Erie Canal

Typical Erie Canal View

Lock 7 and associated Spillway coming up next
(Lock on left side of Picture)

View of Spillway from Boat in Lock (after lift to top)

Exiting the Lock, we look back to see the
"Danger - Dam Ahead" sign
I would not want to take a ride over that spillway!

Besides lots of trees, we found sections with steep rock walls 

Folks in these cottages have tall ladders / steps to get to the water.

Lots of "snags" in the water. Most are not marked.
In one section someone had tied plastic milk jugs to
them to mark themfor high water times.

Lock 8 Dam

Doors opening on Lock 8

Waterford Tug Boat on the Erie Canal

Pile of Trees removed from the canal?!

Adirondack Power and Light Plant

The "ever-present" freight train on the Erie Canal.

Floating Debris on the Erie Canal

We made Amsterdam our destination for tonight to visit with our daughter-in-law's parents. We had two choices for docking in Amsterdam - the Riverlink Park or Guy Park. We opted for Guy Park to put us close to Russo's for dinner.

Passing by Riverlink Park in Amsterdam, NY

Bridge advertising Amsterdam!

Dam at Lock 11 in Amsterdam, NY

View of Dam from "Back side"

The lock wall at Guy Park offers free overnight docking including free electric. There are no other services here.

Docked at Guy Park

Guy Park

Like many places on the Erie Canal, the lock wall at Lock 11 is near the railroad tracks. We could see, and definitely hear, the trains from our boat. Since an intersection with the road sat nearby, we got to hear plenty of train whistles.

Tracks near Guy Park
(we had to cross them to get to the restaurant)

At Lock 9 the lock tender asked us if we planned to stop at Guy Park and eat at Russo's restaurant. Since we had planned on just that, we made him happy with an affirmative answer. They have a reputation for great food and especially good homemade bread. We were not disappointed with our food!

Russo's Restaurant
(busy on a Friday night)

Russo's is Located near "Evelyn Street"
(How could I resist?)

Maris and Bruce and their son Derek met us at the restaurant for dinner. (It was a 5-minute walk from our boat to the restaurant.) We had great Italian cuisine and enjoyed the homemade bread.

At Russo's Restaurant in Amsterdam, NY

After dinner they drove us along country roads to Wemple & Edick's General Store for ice cream. Walking through the door was like going back in time. The sign over the door said "Enter as Strangers; Leave as Friends".

Historic General Store

Lots of things to look at on shelves and walls

Lots of Candy for sale as well as
Homemade Cookies and Ice Cream

Closeup view of some shelves in store

Enjoying Ice Cream Cones
at Wemple & Edick's in Fonda, NY

The sun set as we left Wemple & Edick's indicatint it was time to head back to the boat and get ready for another day on the canal. Before dropping us off at the boat, Bruce drove us through town, and we talked a bit about the town's layout and history.

Sunset near Fonda, NY