Day 2
Begin: Marcy (Lock E20) @ 10:10
End: St Johnsville (Lock E16) @ 6:15
Distance: 35 miles
Weather: Sunny & pleasant.
Day 2 started as another nice sunny day. We were in no real hurry and we did not get up and going until about 8:30. We milled around, walked around the canal park and had breakfast. We untied from the wall at 10:10 and headed through Lock E20.
We did not really have a goal today as we were not sure how much distance we could cover, but hoped we would make it somewhere between Little Falls and Canajoharie. This is only our third lock, but its our first going down, which is not all that different. One thing that I did not expect was how dirty it was. I read that locking was dirty, but going up meant the wall was only moist as most of the excess water had dripped off before we entered. Going down on the other hand means that the water runs down the wall, and down the ropes right onto your hands and boat. Another interesting thing were the zebra muscles which filter water, and then ’spit’ it back out. Thus when going down you also get a small shower (but at least its filtered?).
Lower side of Lock E20
Once through the lock we were on our way, we passed a chopper checking power lines, and the Utica Harbor Lock which was interesting, too bad Utica is not more canal friendly. We also passed a dredge crew near Kitty’s on the Canal (name may have changed?).
Chopper checking power lines near Utica
Dredge crew near Utica
Kitty
We made it to Lock E19 in about 2 hours, and were on our way to Ilion. We decided we would stop at the Ilion Marina for lunch and stretch our legs. After passing Frankfort we in Ilion. We were pleasantly surprised to see bathrooms with showers and a concession stand. After showering and taking a look around we had lunch. Hot french fries were a blessing that gave us a great recharge. Ilion Marina (Like St Johnsville’s) is also a RV park, which was interesting and a great idea to ensure that people get to enjoy the canal, and it creates enough revenue to warrant excellent facilities.
Ilion Marina
Ilion fuel pumps and ship store
After a little over an hour, we were on our way to Little Falls, 10 miles away. We passed Herkimer where we passed by our first boat, a 32′ cuddy cabin cruiser, which easily passed us as we can only travel at about 6-7 mph. The extra weight from all our supplies dropped the boat’s waterline about 3″! This means that our usual 7-8 mph was no longer possible. Once past Herkimer the canal separates from the Mohawk River and parallels it in a dug channel.
Once through Lock E18 we entered Little Falls. Coming into town (from the west) you pass the Little Falls Terminal Wall on the south side before entering an area were there are cliffs on both sides of the channel and eventually Lock E17. We did not stop at the terminal wall, but did pass by and there were many boats tied up (including Tug 44). We will stop here on our way home. We have rock climbed at Moss Island many times so we were familiar with the area around the lock and have walked down to Benton’s Landing. We did stop temporarily at Brenton’s Landing just to strech our legs, and we walked into town to get some little things that we did not have. This is an interesting area, with alot of historic structures including the remains of an aqueduct from the old Erie Canal.
Once back aboard we called ahead to Lock E17 who said they would be ready when we get there. So we untied were on our way (1000 feet). Lock E17 is unique because its the tallest drop along the canal and instead of having swing doors, it has a guillotine style door that raises and lowers. This lock was very wet when we go to the bottom, there were tons of zebra muscles 40′ above us which ’spit’ on us! It isn’t that bad, but we had not expected it. Once in the bottom of the lock, with walls on all four sides it feels very weird and unnatural to be in a boat of all things. But the gate opened and after a quick shower from the water falling off the door, we were on our way.
Little Falls Terminal Wall
Inside Lock E17
Lower side of Lock E17
Before we lowered we talked to the lockmaster about good places to tie up for the night. He offered us a spot at the lower wall, but its under a reasonably traveled bridge, so I was not too excited about that. He also said there was a wall at the next lock, so we figured we would try and go at least that far (5 miles). Now on the river again we we making good time as there was about a 1-2 mph current in our favor. Once at Lock E16 (6:15) we decided this would be a good place to tie up for the night. Its located in the country away from traveled roads and train tracks, and as an added perk the canalway trail was right next the boat. We tied up at the separate wall about 750′ west of the lock itself, and went for a walk to the lock. We talked with the lockmaster who was very nice and offered us his bathroom, microwave, etc., if we wanted it. He was in the process of raising a multi-million dollar yacht headed to the great lakes. What a difference from our little 25′ boat, with bow and stern thrusters, the captain did all the work from his bridge.
After taking a walk we headed back to the boat and made dinner and played some cards. We were really starting to adopt the boating lifestyle. After cards I checked the maps to see where we could get fuel and get a general idea of what expect for tomorrow. We then we watched a movie and went to bed. Boy life is hard…