St Johnsville Municipal Marina and Campsite in St. Johnsville, NY

Day #362: From last evening I beat Mike at cribbage. The two of us woke to the sound of moderate rain but warm temperatures. The two of us were up at 6:15 A.M. for coffee, grapefruit and cookies. At 8:00 A.M. it was time for boat jobs such as laundry. The weather is looking favorable for travel this week starting on Monday so I called Oswego Marina to see if they could get us in on Thursday versus Saturday which they were able to change the reservation. This will put us in a good position to cross Lake Ontario to Kingston, Ontario. I worked on the ROAM app inputting Mike and my information as we will use this to get back into the U.S. from Canada. I also worked with Verizon to make sure that our cell and data plans would work in Canada without breaking the bank. Throughout the day the sun would come out then it would rain. I heard from "Alysana" that they were headed our way with "Scaliwag" and "Forever Friday". Mike and I enjoyed library hour. At 2:15 P.M. all of the boats arrived at the wall Mike and I were there to help and greet them. Mike from "Forever Friday" baked banana bread with coconut on top for the dockmaster and all of the boats on the wall. Mike and I talked to Mom and Dad Burdo via FaceTime. I made chicken and rice for dinner. It was then time for Sunday night phone calls. The plan for us is to leave on Monday heading to Utica, NY.

Mike from "Forever Friday" made banana bread with coconut on top.

Lots of boats on the wall in St. Johnsville "Scaliwag", "Alysana", "Forever Friday" and "Parrot Bay".

St Johnsville Municipal Marina and Campsite in St. Johnsville, NY

Day #361: From last night Mike beat me at cribbage. Mike and I were up at 6:15 A.M. for coffee, grapefruit, ginger cookies and tiny sugared apple strudel bites (they are very good). The two of us caught a quick local weather it is suppose to rain a bit today but Sunday more widespread so the two of us will be staying in St. Johnsville. We walked up to the C.H. Burkdorf & Sons, Inc. local hardware for a few items. Mike worked on a few boat jobs. While I worked on boat paperwork. There were sprinkles at this time but that is it no winds and no thunderstorms. The two of us took a walk up to the pharmacy which has everything except a meat counter and fresh vegetable/fruits where we bought a few items that we needed. The two of us then walked to the very small grocery store to get some meat and fruit. Mike helped "Stinkpot" to get off the wall as they were going to make some miles today. The two of us headed back to the boat to have lunch onboard. After lunch Mike helped "Soul Shine" get off the wall as they also wanted to make a few miles today. The sun came out about lunchtime that is when the temperatures got really warm. Mike and I headed up to the flying bridge with our books to enjoy some reading time. Sunday's weather is calling for thunderstorms. Mike helped "My Rock to Your Roll" to get tied up to the wall. One of the owners of the boat came over to see if Mike and I would be staying this evening at the marina and he asked if we would call him if anything happened to his boat giving us his cell phone number as he and his crew hopped in a car taking off. Mike and I had happy hour on the flying bridge. At 5:00 P.M. Mike made hamburgers on the grill for dinner. The two of us walked around the small campground before heading back to the boat where I worked on the blog and Mike worked on a boat project. The plan is for "Parrot Bay" to stay Sunday at the marina as the weather is suppose to be stormy then leaving Monday morning to work on completing the Erie Canal by the end of the week weather dependent.

                                                                                   

Mike and I walked to C.H. Burkdorf & Son, Inc. Hardware for a few items that Mike needed for                                                                            a project.

"Soul Shine", "Stinkpot" and "Parrot Bay" on the wall at St. Johsville Municipal Marina & Campsite.

Just beautiful scenery and grounds at the campground and marina.

The laundry bear. 

St. Johnsville Light House 1st working light house ever built on the barge canal by Bernie Brandow Harbor Master.  He designed and built it in 2000.

"Parrot Bay" and "My Rock to Your Roll" on the wall in St. Johnsville. 

     

I had a stepladder on the side deck that I stepped on and Mike helped me onto the wall to get on and off the boat.  

 

Riverlink Park in Amsterdam, NY to St Johnsville Municipal Marina and Campsite in St. Johnsville, NY

Day #360: Mike and I were up at 5:45 A.M. to prepare for departure. At 6:45 A.M. engines were started. At 6:55 A.M. David from "Soul Shine" came over to say "goodbye" and helped to get "Parrot Bay" off the dock. "Relax Now" underway with "Parrot Bay" heading to lock E-11. Lock E-11 walls had large craters in them very dilapidated.  At 7:20 A.M. "Parrot Bay" and "Relax Now" were clear of lock E-11 after being raised 12 feet (#43 lock for the trip). At 8:05 A.M. "Parrot Bay", "Relax Now" and "Simply Irresistible" were clear of lock E-12 after being raised 11 feet (#44 lock for the trip) this lock did have pipes but Mike and I were glad that we had grabbed the ropes because as the boat got to the top the pipes were underwater. At 09:30 A.M. all three boats were clear of lock E-13 after being raised 8 feet (#45 lock for the trip). At 10:40 A.M. all three boats were clear of lock E-14 after being raised 8 feet (#46 lock for the trip). At 11:15 A.M. all three boats were clear of lock E-15 after being raised 8 feet (#47 lock for the trip). "Relax Now" and "Simply Irresistible" kept going as "Parrot Bay" was stopping for the day. At 12:10 P.M. "Parrot Bay" was secure at St. Johnsville Municipal Marina and Campsite after traveling 32 miles (4,433.6 miles total for the trip). Mike and I continue to marvel at the scenery of the Erie Canal. After lunch Mike worked on navigation for the next week while I called the marinas making reservations. If the weather cooperates we should be in Oswego next Saturday, July 6th. Once in Oswego once the weather allows we will cross the lake heading to Kingston, Ontario starting our Canada adventure. While Mike and I worked on our navigation planning "Stinkpot" and "Soul Shine" joined us at the marina. Mike and I had happy hour on the flying bridge. We were going to go out to eat so we invited "Stinkpot" and "Soul Shine" At 4:30 P.M. David, Stacey, Mike and I headed to Cosmo's Bar & Grill where the four of us had great burgers for dinner. The four of us then checked out the small grocery store and pharmacy before heading back to the marina. Mike and I sat up on the flying bridge before closing up the boat as there is rain predicted tonight. The plan is that Mike and I while be staying in St. Johnsville for the weekend leaving Monday morning.                                                                                                                                                                         

                  View off the stern of the "Parrot Bay" this morning while sitting in Amsterdam.

"Parrot Bay" heading to lock E-11 looking at the Mohawk Valley Gateway Overlook.

Lock E-11 on the Erie Canal.

Lock information for lock E-11.

"Parrot Bay" approaching lock E-11 gates still closed. 

The view from the bow of the "Parrot Bay" heading out of lock E-11.

"Relax Now" Lee and Janice from Kingston, ON.

Lock E-12

Lock E-12 information.

Beautiful view coming out of lock E-12 over Tribes Hills, NY.

 

Beautiful morning for traveling on the Erie Canal.

 The small towns on the Erie Canal have small town restaurants and bars not chain fast food restaurants.  The McDonalds was unique.

Lock E-13

Lock E-13 Information.

The dam and lock at lock E-13.

Coming out of Lock E-13 here was the Mohawk Valley Visitor Center as the highway ran right next to the building.

"Relax Now" going into lock E-14. "Simply Irresistible" and "Relax Now" the two faster boats headed toward lock E-14.  They were going to lock without "Parrot Bay" but Mike hailed the lockmaster letting him know that "Parrot Bay" was coming closely behind, so the lockmaster held the lock and all three boats locked together. 

Muskrats crossing in front of "Parrot Bay".

 "Simply Irresistible" and "Relax Now" heading into lock E-15 this time the lockmaster was told that there was going to be three boats locking.

 Lock E-15

Lock E-15 information.

The debris in the canal was a bit better than yesterday but there was still some.

NEBO trip from Amsterdam, NY to St. Johnsville, NY

David, Stacey, Mike and I had a great dinner at Cosmo's.

The pharmacy had a display for smores. 

The marina office.

Scotia Landing at Freedom Park in Scotia, NY to Riverlink Park in Amsterdam, NY

Day # 359: From last evening Mike and I enjoyed the Capital District Youth Pipe Band which was a combination of bagpipers and drummers. There were also Youth Irish Step Dancing as well. We are so excited to have free entertainment back again. Later, Mike beat me at cribbage.  The two of us were up at 5:45 A.M. to prepare for departure. At 6:50 A.M. the engines were started and at 6:58 A.M. "Parrot Bay" was underway. At 7:15 A.M. Mike hailed the lockmaster at lock E-8.  The chamber needed to be emptied then we headed into the lock. There were no cables in the lock so I grabbed one of the lines that was provided and Mike came down to grab a stern line as we were raised 14 feet clearing the lock at 7:40 A.M. (#40 for the trip). At 8:10 A.M. Mike hailed lock E-9.  There was lots of turbulence and debris on the way into the lock.  We had to wait for the lock to be "dumped". Again, no cables but I was easily able to use a boat hook to grab a bow line and Mike grabbed a stern line. The lockmaster of lock E-9 offered to call lock E-10 to let them know that "Parrot Bay" was headed their way. "Parrot Bay" was clear of lock E-9 after being raised 15 feet (#41 lock for the trip). At 9:00 A.M. Mike hailed the lockmaster of lock E-10 the chamber was ready the doors just needed to be opened. I was getting used to grabbing the bow line and Mike grabbing the stern line but there is a workout that happens when there is turbulence in the lock. "Parrot Bay" cleared lock E-10 at 9:30 A.M. after being raised 15 feet (#42 lock for the trip). At 10:00 A.M. "Parrot Bay" secure at the Riverlink Park in Amsterdam after traveling 17 miles today (4,401.6 miles total for the trip) they were raised 44 feet total today. The first thing that Mike and I noticed was that the train tracks are right by the park so there are trains about every 30 minutes going by blowing their whistles. There was a sign on the power pedestal that docking was a $1.00/foot to call Dan with his cell phone. Mike called Dan he said that he was just pulling in that he would be down to talk to us. Mike and I cleaned up the boat from the boat trip today but there still was no Dan. There is a restaurant near the Parklink Park so we walked up that is where we met Dan. He runs the restaurant and the dock. Mike payed for dockage and Dan showed Mike and I the showers and restrooms. Dan informed the two of us that this evening there is a water skiing show and advised us that we may want to put additional bumpers out. Mike and I took a walk in the Riverlink Park then walked across the Riverlink Skywalk over the train tracks and expressway. We found a hardw of us found the Creekstone Restaurant which is new to Amsterdam. We had a great lunch. The two of us then headed back to the boat where they found another looper boat "Stinkpot" at the dock so they stopped to introduce themselves to Stacy and Dave. Mike and I worked on a few boat jobs. There ended up being 7 boats on the wall in Riverlink Park. At 7:00 A.M. the X-Squad Water Ski Team did a show in front of the marina. Loopers love free entertainment.

 The Capital District Youth Pipe Band were bagpipers and drummers.
 

Irish dancing.

               

The dam at Erie Canal Lock E-8.

Lock E-8

Information regarding Lock E-8.

Lock gates lock E-8.

"Parrot Bay" being raised in the lock can see over the gate.

Beautiful wooden boats in the water.

Dam at Lock E-9.

Lock E-9

Lock E-9 information.

                                                                                  

                              Lock gates at lock E-9 the lockmaster had to dump the lock.
                                                                                    

                                      Adult eagle flying over the "Parrot Bay" just beautiful.

Lock E10

NEBO trip from Scotia, NY to Amsterdam, NY

Decided to take a ride inside "Parrot Bay".

"Parrot Bay" parked at the Riverlink Park.

"Parrot Bay" at the Riverlink Park in Amsterdam, NY.

Riverlink Park and walkway has some very cool art work. 

9/11 Memorial

Very nice pedestrian bridge that goes over the Mohawk River.
 

Display on the Riverlink Pedestrian Walkway Bridge.

From the pedestrian bridge you can see Erie Canal Lock E-11.

More Art.

"Mother and Child at the Mohawk River this veritable symphony of life, as in a miraculous orchestra of flora and fauna native to the Mohawk River Valley, is lead by the inviting, uplifting gesture of a woman-the Mother with whom the work begins".

Lots of trains run right by the Riverlink Park.

The stairs and walkway that links Riverlink Park and downtown Amsterdam.

United States Post Office in Amsterdam, NY.

Amsterdam Castle NY Inc. is a hotel.

 The First National Bank building in Amsterdam, NY.

Mike and I had lunch in at Creekstone Restaurant which is located in a old building in downtown Amsterdam, NY.

X-Squad Water Ski Show Team