The next three days we traversed the remaining 16 locks we needed to encounter on the Western half of the Erie Canal before we reached Three River Junction and turned onto the Oswego Canal toward Canada.
Since we left so late in the season, we rarely saw another boat motoring up or down the canal. But, I still had the impulse to turn every time I heard an engine in the distance only to be disappointed to realize that it was the traffic passing overheard as we drove under the highways. This leg of the trip was VERY peaceful and downright trance inducing. My only excitement at some points was the thrill I had flipping the page on the navigational map book after I counted every single buoy in that stretch leading up to our next waypoint.
We had a groove going in the locks now and to add some exhilaration to the day, we switched to the starboard side to lock through on a whim. Duane was becoming an expert at maneuvering us into the lock even with the eddies pushing us in every direction on approach. He was also getting much better at not cutting me out of the selfies.
The first night we stopped right after Lock 14 at the Riverfront Park Wall in Canajoharie. The mosquitoes have been out in full force and we both smelt like a tossed salad going to bed as I doused us both in vinegar.
The next day we tied up at the Little Falls Terminal Wall, but not before we experienced Lock 17 which would lift us 40.5 feet above sea level—the largest elevation on the canal. Looking up at the wall was very intimidating as I scrambled to get myself in place and not be impaled by the bicycle strapped to the bow.
Little Falls was a small quiet town, equally as inviting, as we were soon greeted by Mr. Ray who was a member of the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) established by FDR to relieve unemployment during the Great Depression. Boy did he have some stories along with a suggestion to visit the town library which I am so glad we took. Located in a valley on both sides of the Mohawk River, Duane did not hesitate to point out the not so thick wall holding the water at bay.
Along the walk we happened upon a small local bar equipped with an old school jukebox belting out 80’s tunes. We stopped by for a Captain and Ginger which were $3.50 a drink… so we had two.
The next morning we took off toward Sylvan Beach Pier passing the town of Rome along the way….this is where the construction of the Erie Canal all began. During this time we tackled our first descending locks… which I was pleasantly surprised were much less stressful on the brain and the arms.
Sylvan Beach Pier reminded me of my childhood days spent at Rye Playland, but now they had wine slushies. I have to admit that, for once, Duane did beat me in air hockey but I earned enough tickets to trade in for 8 pieces of blueberry taffy.
After a good night’s sleep, we had one more lock to take on and then we were off to the Oswego Canal. Cruising across Oneida Lake was picturesque on such a calm day. Note to self….touching the radar after eating Doritos is almost as bad as using the magic eraser on the hull.
On the way to our next stop, Pirate’s Cove Marina, we stopped for gas at Winter Harbor and were invited to help ourselves to fresh vegetables and herbs right on the dock. After each stop we marveled on how hospitable and accommodating the people were that we have encountered… and we are still in New York!
Pirates Cove Marina was by far the best stop we have had on the trip. Not only did I receive a welcome package, they had the transmission seal that Duane desperately was searching for to cure our leakage issues. If that wasn’t enough for us to give them 5 stars, they had a courtesy car we were permitted to take to town and load up with supplies…no strapping the cooler to my back today.
The next morning we departed and made a right at the fork onto the Oswego Canal. The ride was pretty much the same as the last few days….green as far as the eye can see, calm waters and a log or two (most of the time it was just a duck which I mistook for a log from the distance…go figure.) We completed all seven descending locks in the 24 miles without incident and decided to hunker down for the night at the Port of Oswego Marina at the mouth of Lake Ontario. A band was playing in the town square as we had a cocktail preparing for the crossing tomorrow into Canada.