The Great Loop

August 28, 2016 Arrived Waterford this afternoon, after many, many locks, one of which I had a bit of trouble in.  Went for the wrong rope with the boat pole and tried to hang on, wrenching my arm trying not to lose the  pole (lost it anyway).  Ouch, but Wallace was able to maneuver so I could retrieve it. Power on the docks ($10 flat rate), no extra dockage fee, showers and hose bibs. Laundromat within walking distance (laundry done).  Also a grocery store within walking distance that will let you take the cart back to the boat, so a good place to stock up on the heavy items (done!) Around Waterford Our chuckle for the day Shortly after we arrived a catamaran was being towed in.  It was Malama Honua on its worldwide voyage from Hawaii.  This boat is equipped with sails only, no power and no nav. equipment. Its mission is to "bring attention to climate and ecology to inspire a global movement to care f...

Canajoharie August 25th, 26th The Village of Canajoharie, Riverfront Park Stopped here for a few days to visit the museum, art gallery and see the pot holes and waterfall.  Lovely parkside setting with power (no other amenities at the dock).  Our first night and morning brought rain but then it cleared up nicely. We heard there was a frame shop, so we had our picture glass replaced and it is back in its rightful spot. Wallace also installed an outlet to charge our phones, camera and tablets with while enroute. The museum exhibit this summer was Circus Circus, being the Beechnut Gum travelling circus.  Canajoharie was the home of Beechnut until recently.  They had tiny travelling mechanical circus vans that travelled the states marketing their products.  Although the exhibit depicts Beechnut as a contributor to the commerce and well being of the village, local residents remember the owner, Arkell, as swindling his business partner to the...

Headed toward Utica as Wallace had never stopped there before. Yes, I am a bit obsessive and can't stop drawing.  This is my grand daughter, Jorja just in case she is not recognizable to those who know here.  Working on Jillie next.   So did not stop in Utica as there was not much there, a restaurant, wall to dock on and presumably a washroom.  No power etc. Utica Heading into the Alleghany Mountains Boat Problems The battery for the bow thruster is not getting a charge.. Wallace is making a jumper cable to do, well I'm not really sure what he is doing.  He seems to have determined that one of the wires may need replacing and he will do that.  Not too worried about the bow thruster but the same battery is for the Windlass....that's a problem.   Again, for my land lubber friends, we can't anchor unless we do it manually without the Windlass.   Also, lots of weeds to contend with. Mr. Fixit ...

Moving Along The temperature is dropping and fall in in the air.  Time to get moving and beat the chill.  Headed from Lock 01 in Phoenix to Sylvan Beach at the far end of Lake Oneida. Tried to approach the wall in Lock 23 but blew it.  Didn't crack up the boat though. Sylvan Beach No power at Sylvan beach, washrooms and showers at the beach, but you would rather not use them. Went for a bike ride around town as it happened to be bikers night here. Lining up with our biker friends