Lennon's Loop: May 2010

STILL IN THE CHAMPLAIN CANAL

YES!! THAT IS A LOW BRIDGE 15FT 3IN
We had to take the entire bimini and poles off our boat to clear it.

John has rust on his hand

The lockmaster checking our pass . Notice the dam in the background

The views along the way were magnificant

I don't know where the population is for all the beautiful churches.

Peter, John and Prescott on the wall at Ft. Edward. They were enjoying a father son trip to return a friends boat.

Ducklings in training at Sunset at Fort Edward

5/23 to 5/26 CRUISING THE LOCKS

Waterford was the first city we came across after the Federal Lock.

We tied up for the night along the wall, and went to town for dinner. On the way we met Jim McKee's Aunt and Uncle from Jax. Hans and Jeannie , they walked with us after we visited each other's boat. Back to dinner at 9:30 had 3 slices of pizza, a large antipasta and 2 diet cokes for $13.50.

View of lock from outside

5/22 Catskill to the New York Locks- Waterford, NY 4.5 hrs.

How are we going to get up that water?

Through a series of 11 locks on the Champlain Canal from Waterford to Whitehall, the mouth of Lake Champlain

We bought a 2 day pass for $15.00 and began our next adventure. Several cities along the way offer free dockage with electric and water. Or you can tie up to the outside of the lock .
We are going into the lock where we will tie up as the back gate is closed.

It is important to keep the boat from hitting the steep rough walls

The back gate locks and the water rises

When the proper water level is reached, the front gate opens and we continue.

There is always a bridge shortly after the lock.

The maximum height for this canal is 17 ft.

5/21 Riverfront Marina to Catskill Marina, NY 4.5 hr

Floating Hot Dog Stand

Never saw so many designs of bridges

Leaving Catskill Marina

Somethings do no want photos. We spent the morning bathing Cutter, Catching up on our blog, banking, work etc. Beautiful day, clear, sunny, smooth water. While John was showering, I became personally intimate with my very first shoal. My friend Garmin said I had nine feet of water, he also said shoal area. ANOTHER LEARNING EXPERIENCE. Within a half hour, John had us off and heading to the marina 2 miles away. He encouraged me by saying "you haven't skippered a boat unless you've run aground". I was recouperating, as I turned down the channel to Catskill Marina when I noticed the Coast Guard Vessel with blue lights flashing. They requested permission to come aboard. Just what I wanted, within sight of the fuel dock today. Luckily, although John did not think so in Jacksonville, we had been boarded leaving our house for a football game, and I still had the paperwork. They left before we got to the marina. Was I glad to see the friendly folks at the dock.

LIGHTHOUSES ALONG THE WAY

5/20 NYC to Riverfront Marina Newburg NY 4 hrs

What a change from "The City Lights"

Try taking a photo of this lighthouse from a moving boat.

Upstate NY scenery is unbelieveable

Bannerman Castle on Pollepel Island. Known fro making ammunition in the 1900's

part of Bannerman Castle

West Point

5/19 to 5/20 New York

View of Manhattan from our Marina

Light under George Washington Bridge

George Washington Bridge Cloudy Day Better than the rain tomorrow.

Sputyn Duvyil Swing Bridge

The staduim (BABE) Ruth Built.

We stayen in Liberty Landing Marina NJ, the view was perfect, A quick water taxi ride brought us to Manhattan near a subway to anwhere. Tuesday was rain all day and we walked the city, toured the Metropolitan Museum and saw Jersey Boys. Another lucky seat assignment. The only three together left were the very front row. We could see the singers veins.

5/18 Touring New York

What an experience to bring our boat through New York Harbor.

We circumvented Manhattan, by going up the East River, through the Sputven Duyvil Bridge and back down the Hudson. Manhattan Island really is an Island.

Cutter was impressed with all the History.

Park in the Hudson

Don't miss a channel marker.

5/17 Brick NJ to Liberty Landing Marina, New Jersey 3.25 hrs

Leaving Manasqua Inlet N.J.

There are sine really narrow bridges on this waterway

It looks odd to see a boat winterized on a backyard lift

The Atlantic Ocean was like glass

Vicky's cousin Betty Lou joined us on the New York leg of the trip. She had a chance to drive the boat. No other boats for miles and she clutched the wheel with white knuckles.

Vicky had the opportunity to captain Kids Again through the Varrizon Narrows and into New York Harbor and around the Statue of Liberty with the tour boats. Has her boating confidence improved.