The bridge down on the Erie Canal was not going to be fixed very quickly, the state was bringing in a crane to lift the bridge for boats to pass under once or twice per week. We decided to take the Champlain canal route. This route added 33 Locks, 310 miles and 23 travel days to the journey!! We will travel from Waterford, NY up the Champlain Canal to Lake Champlain and north on Lake Champlain to the Richelieu Canal. we will take the Richelieu Canal to Sorel on the Saint Lawrence River and proceed on the Saint Lawrence River to Montreal. At Montreal we will take the Rideau Canal to Ottawa and then proceed south on the Rideau Canal to Lake Ontario at Kingston, rejoining our planned Great Loop route! Sounds like an adventure. I read another individuals description of the route, she said it was “like being transported back in time and culture”. The locks and canal system are over 180 years old and still use the same technology of hand cranked gates and sluices!
Another boater, Kim, from Eventide, sent me the above pictures of No Agenda leaving Waterford!
Above: Leaving Waterford, NY, This was a great stop, the Harbor Master was originally from Pilot Knob, MO…small world! We had dinner and breakfast out with other loopers. If you had to be stuck in one place for a few days it was a great place to be!
Beautiful. You sure have a lot of clothes w you! Ha. What an adventure. When you are done you can be consultants!!