Saturday, July 30, 2022 - The best laid plans...
So, our aim today was to go from Brockport to Lockport and spend the night there.We hadn't identified a specific place in Lockport...but, it being the location of the Erie Canal Discovery Center, we were sure there must be space available for overnight dockage. Wrong.
Early in the day we got behind a boat named Cat Nap and followed it until they left the Erie Canal. The areas we passed through today were very much agricultural with fields of corn and large farms. Beautiful! Cat Nap was going to try for Buffalo this evening so we were both interested in going as fast as we could and still be mindful of areas requiring "no wake." It made for a longer day. We got to Lockport and Maggie Jo looked for a good place to tie up on the lower side of the locks (there are two locks connected, a flight it's called) and found only one area with a park...but there were woven wires running along the docking wall and we decided to go on up the locks with Cat Nap. That is until we hailed the lock and were told we should tie up to the wall and wait until signaled to come in. Obviously they were having a problem with the lock.
We did as told and waited there about 1/2 hour until a truck drove by with the replacement lock tender. He said he would check on it and let us know what's going on. He no sooner got there than he called back and said we could come on in...which we did. Into the first lock...up a good ways...gate opens and we sail into the 2nd lock, a bit shorter ride... and out of the locks on the Erie!! Last locks!!
We tried hard to find a place to tie up for the night but it just wasn't there. Might as well go on over to North Tonawanda NY and spend the night in the Gateway Harbor there. It was 6:30 before we reached the harbor (we left Brockport at 7:30) because it was mostly "inhabited" waters we passed though and we were constantly in "no wake" zones.
When we finally came upon the harbor it looked completely full...just like it would be on the Saturday night it was. We went up and down and finally spotted a place but got beat out by a boat that crossed the harbor to land it first. Glancing across the harbor we saw a smaller boat leaving and the space left looked big enough for us. We crossed the harbor and, wind playing with us all the way, Wayne got it in there! People were gathered to see the show!
We settled in for a stay of 2 nights...maybe more. $35/night with water and power. The upper deck was a perfect hang-out to take in all the activity and relax at the end of a LONG day!
First, a view of us parked in the North Tonawanda Basin
Sunday, July 31, 2022
This morning we lazed around a while after both having a good night's sleep. Then we decided to get an Uber, drop off our laundry for wash and fold, and let the Uber drop us off for groceries. Baskets full, we called another Uber and made it back to the boat in pretty good time. This afternoon we've relaxed and settled into watching the boats and people passing time.
One thing to mention here: Maggie May has learned she can jump from the boat onto the wall or dock we're tied to. So far, she's still with us...but it's added a whole 'nuther aspect to having her aboard. Needless to say, she can't be on deck by herself!
We've signed up for a third night here so we have another day of rest to look forward to. ;-) Then we'll head to Buffalo for several days.
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