We have officially completed the Erie Canal. We are docked at the wall in Waterford, NY. The Hudson River is just a few hundred yards away and in the morning we will head down the Hudson to Catskill, NY to get the mast put back on the boat.
We left this morning very early from Amsterdam, NY to complete this leg and still have time to see Waterford. When we were in Amsterdam we had a chance to walk around the city. Amsterdam is a lot like many of these New York cities, in that it is suffering from plant closings and loss of jobs. It had been home to Mohawk Carpets until they closed up and moved. Now, it seems that it's claim to fame is the Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame. I of course had to visit and Laurie was a good sport and came along.
One display was of Jesse Ventura, the former governor of Minnesota. The Hall is a pretty corny place, but it took me back to the days of watching Big Time Wrestling on TV with my brothers and grandfather.
Today was interesting, because at the end of the canal, the locks come one after another. In the last two miles or so, we transited five locks and were lowered a total of 170 feet. This is known as the Waterford Flight.
After we got tied up and settled, the harbor master directed us to a supermarket on the other side of the Hudson. We walked over and stocked up up because we never know when we will have access to a grocery store again. The store allows you to use their shopping carts to get your stuff back to the boat and then once a week, they come and pick them up.
After we put the groceries away, we went down town and had a great dinner out to celebrate the completion of this segment of our adventure.
We have truly enjoyed our trip down the Erie Canal. The people have been great and I have loved learning more of the history. This area suffered terrible damage from Hurricane Irene in 2011, but they have worked hard to rebound and repair this great American waterway.
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Location:Waterford, NY
Is Leaping Larry Shane in the HoF?
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