June 30-July 1, 2024 Troy and Waterford

Sunday June 30, 2024   Albany to Troy    1.1 hours and 7 miles

Super short run today up to Troy.  Did not stop here during our loop, but continued to hear good things about the town so wanted to check it out. Had hoped to get here for their Saturday farmers market but between the weather and no room at the town dock that didn't work out.  No rush to get off the docks at Albany Yacht Club, so we waited until 10:00 for slack current. Took the boat back over to the fuel dock for a pump out then headed upriver to Troy. 

Departing Albany we pass the USS Slater -
the only remaining WWII destroyer escort still afloat

Oddly, I found all three of the darker beers sort of monotone,
 thus making that hazy IPA my best of these four at Mean Max

Nice floating docks along the seawall right in downtown Troy.  In between some raindrops we walked the riverfront parks and downtown. Stopped to sample some craft beers at Mean Max Brew Works and Browns Brewing Co. Troy looks to be making headway in their revitalization. Many of the old historic buildings and storefronts are occupied.  One of them was a great ice cream shop - Dutch Udder Craft Ice Cream. 

Sam Wilson was a successful businessman in Troy
supplying meat to US troops during the War of 1812
He is credited with being "Uncle Sam"

Just a few of the nicely restored and re-purposed buildings in Troy

Met up with my high school buddy Dave who went to RPI here in Troy.  Dinner with him at Dinosaur BBQ where we all ate way too much.   Then got a tour of the town and campus.  Finished the day back at the boat where we successfully went fishing for a bundle of ballons that were floating down the river.  Just doing our part to keep the waterways clean.

Balloon rescue mission accomplished

And ready for easy proper disposal

My buddy Dave and I celebrate another get together

Journey for June 30, 2024

Monday July 1, 2024  Troy to Waterford. 1.0 hours and 3.7 miles

Spent a few hours in the morning reviewing bridge heights up the Champlain Canal.  Lots of conflicting information regarding 15' fixed heights versus 17'. Decided we could get through the Troy Federal Lock and up to Waterford without dropping anything.  No problem with a late start as we're only going a few miles and it gives a chance for the docks there to clear off with boaters heading into the Erie Canal.   The Troy lock gates were open and awaiting us.  Slight issue getting the boat close enough to the wall for Martha to get a rope around a pipe.  Just a single tie off mid ship here as we wait for the 14 foot lift.  

Water almost up to level for our release from the Troy Federal Lock

Waterford town dock with Erie lock E2 just past the bridge

Arrived to Waterford and there was a spot open at the end of the floating docks with new 30/50-amp power.  Docking free - power $10.  Bargain!!   We spent the afternoon dismantling the radar arch and bimini top.  Not overly difficult but some cumbersome bits. Overall took about 3 hours.  We are now topless and overall height fully loaded with fuel and water was measured at under 14'.  No problems with any of the bridges from here through the Champlain, Chambly, Rideau or western Erie canals.  But the boat does look a bit different fully topless.  

Radar Arch and Bimini folded down for getting under some low fixed bridges

Flybridge remains fully functional - just need to watch out for sunburn

We decided to spend an extra day here as Monday got wasted with chores.  Need to provision and there's a Hannaford's grocery store in walking distance across the river.  Then took a walk along the Erie canal to view Locks 2, 3 and 4 at the start of this section known as "The Flight of Five". Waterford was a very prosperous town during the canal heydays as it's at the confluence of both the Erie and Champlain canals making it a perfect transfer spot for goods being shipped down from upstate NY and Canada via the Champlain or from the western regions via the Erie. Since Troy was the last navigable port for ships, any goods going outbound or inland had to use the barges on these canals. 

This original section of the canal dating to the 1800's was utilized for barges heading from both the Champlain and Erie canals to reach the Hudson.  Locks removed and now used as an overflow spillway.

This is the current lock that's in its place.

Journey for July 1, 2024