This post is from the day-before-yesterday, May 28, 2012 -- Memorial Day.  We weighed anchor at 6:30 AM bound further up the Hudson from Duck Cove to Waterford, NY.  It was a long day.  We went through our first lock, the Federal Lock just outside Waterford.  We were one of only two boats in the lock and the Lockmaster was very courteous and helpful.  The water height we went up was 16'. 


Upon leaving the lock we discovered a bridge with a 22' height restriction. We are 29'.  We floated around the river (there was no traffic at all, fortunately) while Ralph removed the boom and we unstepped the mast, laid down the VHF and ssb antennas and secured everything.  We were only minutes away from the junction with the Mohawk River at Waterford.  We tied up at the Waterford Visitor Center where docking is free with water and electric ($10 for as long as you stay -- posted is 48 hours, but not strictly enforced) and they also have free wifi.  The entire length of the bulkhead are boats, mostly Loopers and we made some new friends.  Here are a few pictures of Say Good-Bye "locking through."

We obtained a city map from Mike, the Dockmaster and borrowed a shopping cart to go to the very clean and reasonably priced Clifton Laundromat just two blocks away.  In an hour and a half we finished our laundry, put it away, then went to Don & Paul's on Broad Street for dinner.  The food is good, the prices are extremely reasonable, the service is good and the staff is very friendly.  The place itself is Americana and just like you'd hope it to be.  I had a bacon/Swiss cheeseburger with the works and a soda and Ralph had a hot turkey sandwich and coffee and we shared a hot fudge sundae for dessert -- our total check was $16, including tip.  We went to bed early and slept like logs!

The Federal Lock at Waterford, NY

Leaving the lock and thanking the Lockmaster for his kindness.  He told us after the next 145 locks, we'll be pros.  I certainly hope so!!

To protect our new orange ball-fenders from slime and creosote in the lock, we put them inside woven grocery bags that we had onboard which worked out well,

We will have 11 locks and bridge restrictions of 17' along the Champlain Canal, so the mast will remain down for a while.

We're the last boat in the line by the overhead bridge at the Waterford Visitor Center.