Waterford NY

Waterford NY Visitor's Center

June 5th we left Troy NY in our wake to ascend our first lock up to the confluence of the Mohawk and Hudson Rivers. Troy was just an overnight stay with pizza for dinner at a local haunt. Joe, the dockmaster, was wonderful lending us his truck for the short trip as it was raining.

For those of you historian buffs, Troy was the home of the inventors of the Ferris Wheel and the famous "detachable" collar. The Emma Willard School, first women's college in the U.S., is also located in Troy. Who knew?????

"Locking" is old hat to us after spending so much time on the Tennessee and Tom-Bigby Waterways. This lock was similar to those "back home". Nothing sensational...just raised us up about 10-15' where we joined the non-tidal waters of the Hudson and lower Champlain canal. A short way further and we made a port (left) turn into Waterford and the beginning of the Erie Canal.

We were totally lucky to find a spot to tie to the wall as many "loopers" were already here. Our first night, we were tied up to the very end of the wall, behind that last boat. No electrical hook-ups or water! Regardless, we were glad to be here and anywhere would have worked.

Waterford is the second stop on this trip that is predictable. Everyone stops here regardless of where you're going or coming from. The waterfront has been designated one of the seven "waterfront centers" in the Erie Canal Recreation Plan. We so enjoyed our stay for any number of reasons. After one night without services, two boats pulled out to continue their journeys so we pulled right into their spots closer to the Welcome Center which meant we had electricity and water and floating docks. For a cruiser, these are all we ask for but, as you will note in my next post, they are infrequently available along the length of the Erie Canal. And, since we were to be gone, we HAD to have electricity or we wouldn't be going anywhere. And, secondly, the first two nites were free with subsequent nit es at just $10.00/nite with no limitations on length of stay.

Just a note on Waterford: oldest incorporated village in the U.S. It is an old city similar to many other industrialized cities of the 1800's. Now, as with most of the river towns, villages and cities, it is fighting to keep itself alive. There are canal tours aboard a replica of the old canal boats...the local school kids were getting tours the day of and after our arrival. Remember how antsy we got when it was near the end of school? Canal cruises surely must settle some of the kid's anticipation that summer was about to begin! The Welcome Center is staffed daily with locals who volunteer their time to assure the visiting boaters leave with a good impression. It worked! One of the burly older guys is a Washington lobbyist...we didn't ask any questions.

Back to Waterford. After we settled the boat, it was time for her bath and well deserved. She was soooooooo dirty! Gotta get some wax on her soon, also. On the 8th, after doing some shopping, we rented a car and headed to Boston to see our kids and grandson. His birthday was June 10th so our arrival at Waterford, while not planned, was timely. Boston was only about 200 mi from Waterford and the drive was wonderful. We arrived Friday nite just in time for Steve to have clam bellies...a tradition in the NE. After spending last summer with the kids, we were really looking forward to some of their local delicacies.

Becky had planned a gathering of friends to celebrate Bunky's (real name: Dan) first birthday. Fun was had by all...including Bunky although he didn't know what was going on.

NOTE: for those of you not family, the following will probably not be of interest as it is "kids" related.

A special treat was having Pat's brother and sister-in-law there also. Mike and Erin were to be there until Tuesday when we were leaving. Anyway, the best part of the birthday party was watching Bunky enjoying all his new toys...especially his rocking chair and car".

Becky, Pat and Bunky

Bunky finally warmed up to Sidney after just a few days. The morning we were to leave, he decided it was time to pet the dog. Sidney isn't too interested in little people but he has experience with Emily so he just sat and let Bunky poke and pet him. Joan, their nanny, was duly impressed that he was so forward as to even pet the dog.

Here is Bunky in one of his favorite gifts, his chair. He just settled back and acted as though he was a lifelong couch potatoe! We had a good laugh at his posturing while in the chair. Thanks to Uncle Pete and Aunt Monica.

His second favorite gift was a push car from his nanny, Joan, and her fiance, Mark. Funny how kids instinctively know what the thing to do is...he jumped in and began turning the wheel! The next morning, while grammie was babysitting, he finally learned to get in by himself. After being pushed incessantly for an hour, he figured he'd get out and push it himself. At this point, he is walking with "assistance" so the car served to supplant grammie's finger.

Grampa shaved his moustache off just before we left Waterford in anticipation of just this moment! Precious, eh? As a side note, I didn't even notice that Steve had shaved until we were nearly to Boston. But, he's growing it back again...I think he is even more handsome with it!! Perhaps it's because I've known him for over 20 years and he's always had a mustache. 20 years???????

Daddy is the consummate "dad". I don't think I've ever seen a dad so in love with his son...not that they all aren't but Pat just dotes on his son...and you can tell!

Isn't he the handsome man? Grammie misses him a bunch already. Knowing that we won't see him again until Christmas is hard. He is now walking under his own power...no fingers!! And, he is cracking through a bunch of new teeth. His first was his upper front and he is really a teething monster. Monday was his one year appt with the doc and the doc said he had 5-6 more just ready to break through.

Tuesday morning was departure time. Steve and I drove over to the Strawberry Patch and had brunch. Becky had taken me there last summer and I had to have a "redo". Their food is wonderful. Then, a stop so Steve could get a haircut then back to Waterford.

Wednesday was get ready to leave. Changed the engine oil, did laundry, washed down the boat and ran to the grocery store. The rental car had to be back by 11 so the Steves left early and drove to Syracuse to drop off our broken alternator at a repair store. We'll pick it up as we drive by! in the boat.

Thursday, June 14th (Flag Day and my mother's b-day), we'll depart for the start of our Erie Canal cruise.