Day 393 - 394, July 19 - 20, 2023

Day 393 Wednesday, July 19, 2023

Free Wall, Whitehall, NY to Lake Champlain Anchorage

We started the day, excited, knowing we would make it to Lake Champlain.   It was sunny and clear, not as hazy as the day before.  We waited for a southbound boat to clear Lock 12 and then it was our turn.  We were underway at 9:20, just yards away from the lock.  One bridge before the lock and the opportunity to stand on the summer kitchen one last time (to make sure we would clear). We were through the lock by 9:30 -- Hello Lake Champlain!!

The lake is still very narrow at this southern most point and not very populated.  We saw lots of herons, an Osprey family of three, water chestnuts and lots of mountains.  The railroad tracks follow the shoreline but we only saw a couple trains, unlike other trips.  We were especially grateful for less debris in the water.  

 

We were met by a Gold Looper, Gemini from Bristol Rhode Island, that was heading south.  They waved and gave us a friendly toot.

The Lake was like glass, welcoming us home.  Eagles and osprey, NO crab pots (YEAH!), no dolphins (sob....).  We did see water chestnut harvesters.

 

Lots of familiar landmarks: Chipman Point, Fort Ticonderoga, Champlain Bridge.

 

  

  Ticonderoga Cable Ferry

We reached the 44th parallel, another sign we were getting closer to home.

At 3:05 we were anchored in Button Bay on the eastern shore of Lake Champlain, across from Westport.  The Lake remained calm and we had a pleasant afternoon, pork loin on the grill and a beautiful sunset.

Day 394 Thursday, July 20, 2023

TODAY WE WILL BE HOME!!!

Button Bay, Vermont to Mooney Bay Marina, Point Au Roche, New York

Lazy morning start.  We had about a 5 hour travel day and wanted to arrive at our marina when family and friends could meet us.  Our night at anchor had been great, very calm and quiet.  We enjoyed the morning; I posted to the blog and then at 11:30 Jerry started the engine to pull anchor.  I was ready with the anchor washdown but the anchor had different plans.  The chain came up with tons of weeds.   It took the 2 of us with boat hooks to clear weeds at least 6 feet long and 1 foot across on the chain.  Almost 20 minutes later we were finally on our way. 

 On our way home!

 

Our anchorage was just around the corner from the entrance to Otter Creek.  That meant more debris.  It didn't take long; we hit something hard just as we made it around from Button Bay.  Not a lot of vibration so maybe we'll be okay.  It's not the first time;  we'll see the extent of damage from our trip when the boat gets hauled at the end of the season.  I took debris watch seated outside at the bow of the boat until we reached the broad lake.  The debris continued.

Landmarks along the way:

 Split Rock Light

  Essex Ferry

Four Brothers Island

Burlington, Willsboro Bay, Ferris Rock, Schuyler Island, Valcour Island, Snug Harbor Marina, Crab Island   -- each were a welcome sight.

"Harvard on the Hill" -- Clinton Community College

Finally we pass the Cumberland Head Ferry and head to Point Au Roche.  

  Photo taken by our nephew Pat as we approached Point Au Roche.

Jerry honked the horn as Eric's Inheritance turned into Mooney Bay Marina.  What an awesome sight with family and friends waiting for us on the dock!  Thank you everyone for the warm welcome and great party on the dock!! 

 

What a trip!  It was a true adventure for us, challenging us, teaching us and entertaining us with new places and friends.  Everyone has asked our favorite part but neither Jerry nor I can pick.  We don't really have a favorite, rather lots of memorable spots -- Canoe Passage in Georgian Bay, the Catajack Paddle Race on the Tennessee river (which we inadvertently became a part of), the crystal clear water in the Bahamas and Lake Michigan, Clearwater Beach, Stock Island, rafting with other Loopers, sharing stories, dinner and learning new card games.  The places we enjoyed the most were definitely those where we spent time with our new friends.  We were awed by the beauty and nature with dolphins, pelicans, sharks, Manta rays, sea turtles, starfish, manatees and even a whale sighting.

Thank you to everyone who supported us, cheered us on, mentored and travelled with us, and were generous with their talents, resources, friendship and prayers.  Our adventure was truly one made possible by all of you.

 

 

 

Some details of our adventure:

Miles traveled                                    7,103	Ocean Crossings                                       4
States visited                                           17	Countries Visited                                      3
Number anchorages/free walls               12	Number Marinas                                      115
Number Great Lakes                                 3	Number  of  Locks                                   129
Engine Hours                                       926.3	Total fuel                                        3223.8
Hours/gallon                                            3.5	Fuel cost -- high/low                      $7.48/$3.20

 

Thanks for following our journey -- and for your patience, waiting for me to log our adventures!

Day 391 - 392 July 17 - 18, 2023

 Day 391 Monday, July 17, 2023

With the fog delay we left Donovan's at 8am, headed for Waterford, NY.  The Waterford Welcome Center is located at the beginning of the Erie Canal.  We have stayed there each time we have traveled the Erie.  The first 5 locks on the Erie are located right there making it a great place to stage for travel and a nice little town to visit.  

The fog didn't last long but we did experience some hard rain at times. never enough to drive us to the lower helm.   More concern was the need to be vigilant for debris.  Yesterday we had a log trapped at the side of the boat while at the dock and today there was a log just under the water.  We were hoping to make it home without incident.

We fought the current most of the way - 6.6 knots, 7.5mph.  High tide had been at 4:30am.   The weather and day brightened.  I was excited when we reached the Port of Albany.  We refueled at Albany Yacht Club; diesel was $4.17/gal (which included a 10 cent/gal Boat US discount).  We were getting close.  

Check out the U-Haul truck perched on top of the building!

We transited the Troy Federal Lock and took a left turn to the Erie a short while later.  You can't miss the sign!  Your choice -- left to the Erie or straight to the Champlain Canal.  

 

We took a spot along the wall at the Welcome Center and then worked on getting power.  Unfortunately there was only a 20amp and one 30amp outlet near us so we needed to run 100 feet of power cord to reach the next available outlet.  Luckily, we had 2 cords. Jerry had purchased a 2nd cord at Dick's going out of business sale (at a great discount!).  Who knew it would be at the end of our adventure when we would finally open the package!!  Dockage is free on the wall; electricity is $10/day with a max stay of 48 hours.  You can walk to many restaurants and the grocery store.  You can borrow the cart to bring your groceries back and the store will come pick it up!   

Waterford is where we first met our Looper friends Laura and Joe from The Grand Wazoo.  That seems so long ago.  It's was a melancholy day since it will be our last chance to spend time with Call Me Curly.....tomorrow we will be travelling alone.

Happy hour was with Sharon, Grant, and Lisa, Tom and Maddie (their Portuguese waterdog) from Hey Schlu! on call Me Curly then off to McGrievey's for "the last supper". 

 Afterward Sharon and Grant gave a champagne toast and a "Looper's shot" to celebrate our wake crossing.  

 

We have traveled with them steady since the Bahamas; it will seem strange to travel alone...

If you are being technical Waterford is the point on our Loop where we cross our wake but our adventure started back at our home marina; we will celebrate our crossing and the end of our Loop adventure there. 

Tomorrow we head up to Lake Champlain through the locks of the Champlain Canal.  Water levels are still high from flooding so Jerry spoke to the NYS Canal system to make sure that we would have enough room to make it under the fixed bridges.  They assured us they would lower the water levels to give us a minimum of 17 feet.  We need 16 feet 3 inches.  

Day 392 Tuesday, July 18, 2023

We were told by the lockmaster to arrive at the lock by 7am so we were on our way at 6:20am.  North bound traffic has been limited to openings at 7, 9, 11, and 3pm. 

We were surprised to see Sharon up to wave goodbye.  

We made it to Champlain Canal Lock 1 at 6:55 and out at 7:30.  The Canal system is doing a double lock procedure hoping to prevent transport of an invasive species, the Round Gobi fish, into Lake Champlain.  The fish would negatively impact the bass population and economy on the lake.

Lock 2 was a challenge, so full of debris that the lockmaster had to use the lock door several times to clear debris for us to get out of the lock.  After several attempts to clear the branches and logs in the way we were given the go ahead.  Lock 3 was uneventful.  We were traveling with a 50 foot boat from Montreal and making good time despite the debris.  

At Lock 3 the lockmaster confirmed we would have 17 feet 3 inches clearance at the next bridge but I still climbed on top of the summer kitchen to make sure.  Jerry had already lowered our mast but our bimini top sits at 16 feet 9 inches, giving us 6 inches to spare.   We made it without a problem; I did duck so I wouldn't scrape the top of my head!   

Once through I watched the other boat.  Jerry and I had questioned how tall it was.  It didn't take long and the other boat was slowing down, seemingly judging whether they would fit under.  Then they made a VHS call to the lockmaster asking for the water to be lowered more.   NO Way.  Lowering the water more would require approval from a supervisor (and 24 hour notice).  They were told that they needed to come back to the lock.  We traveled alone the rest of the day.

 Dams next to the locks.

Stillwater Lock 4 was next.  A memorable spot from the past.  Our dog Noah chose this spot to jump out of the boat when we at the lock.  To be fair, a bad storm blew through and we had to tie off in the lock, scaring him.  Our friends ran after him with their dog while we went through the lock and then turned the 2 boats around and came back up in the lock.  Very stressful, but afterward the lockmaster allowed us to spend the night there on the wall, even giving us electricity. 

Lock 6 was WICKED with debris.  We actually had a 6 foot underwater log chug through our props while we moved in the lock. Ugh.  

  

A familiar land mark on the canal.

We crossed the 43rd parallel, one more to go.  We were making good time and weren't sure how far we could make it for the day.  Do we stop at Lock 8 - the free wall at Fort Edward Yacht Basin?  This is where we grounded on day 2 of our loop.  We didn't want to repeat that experience but there were limited spots along the way to stay.  We decide it was too early to stop for the day and we cruised on, hoping to make it through Lock 11.

 

Schuyler Yacht Basin near Saratoga.

We did it, through Lock 11 at 4:41 and to the free wall at Whitehall at 5:25.   The canal closes at 5pm but they were willing to put us through lock 12.  There isn't much for anchorages or marinas from there until Lake Champlain and it had been a long day so we stayed put.  Free electricity and access to showers are provided by the town, hoping encourage boaters to stay.  Restaurants are nearby but we ate our lefties.

 View of Lock 12 from the free wall.

 

 Skene Manor on the hill above the town of Whitehall was built in 1874.  It has been a private residence and several restaurants in the past.  It is currently a museum.

Tomorrow on to Lake Champlain.