Day 255-256 – 6/15-16/24

Starting location: Moored at Catskill Marina, Catskill, NY

Weather: 59 am, 78 pm, sunny – Saturday 6/15. 47 am, 78 pm, sunny – Sunday 6/16.

Ending location: Free wall at Waterford, NY.

Statute miles: 45, then 0 until departure

General summary: We continued North, past the town of Albany on our port side then Troy on our starboard side to our first lock in the New York Lock system, Troy lock or E1 (1st lock on Erie Canal). Arrived about 10 minutes before the lock was opening for Northbound traffic and then joined about 6 other boats to easily lock through. We are now officially back in fresh water.

Motored on North to tie up at the free wall in Waterford, NY. This is where you can head West on the Erie Canal system to Lake Ontario or continue North on the Champlain Canal system to Canada. Both have fixed bridges, so boats that are too tall have to lower what they can to minimize their “air draft”. The Champlain canal has the lowest bridges, so fewer boats take it. Many sailboats had their masts “stepped” on the way here.

Matt and Tina, friends from Tom’s days in Graduate School in Vermont, who live about 1.5 hours drive away, were able to meet us for a hike and dinner. Was really fantastic catching up with them!