After almost a year of cruising, we are finally getting the hang of slowing down. We left Albany on 8/8 for Waterford, a whooping 9 mile cruise and a step back in time. I am so relaxed that I forgot to post a blog of our great week here.
Waterford is the oldest continuously incorporated village in America, and with its strategic location at the confluence of the Erie and Champlain Canals, as well as the Hudson and Mohawk Rivers, its history is rich in river lore. As a grade-schooler in New York State, I remember learning the words to the Erie Canal Song and I can’t help singing it— http://www.kididdles.com/lyrics/e014.html
Here’s a picture of the Waterford dock with a beautiful hand-painted rental canal boat leading the parade. The sad note is that due to insurance premiums of $25,000, these grand boats will not be offered for charter anymore and will be auctioned off shortly—the end of an era. Loopers will remember that it was a boat like this in the Trent –Severn Canal that inspired Ron and Eva Stob, founders of the Great Loop Association, to start on their documented adventure, Honey, Let's Get a Boat, which enticed many of us to do the Loop trip.
There is so much to do in Waterford and with the first 2 nights free and $10 after that, it really helps the budget. It is run by volunteers and we want to thank them all for such an incredible stay.
Sunday is Farmers Market Day and everybody is here. Here’s a composite picture of a number of my favorite activities—bike riding the old Champlain Canal Trail and if you look closely, you will see the community pool to the right. We’ve had great summer weather in the 80-90’s and a dip in the pool is always refreshing.
We’ve done most of the Loop without a breakdown but that is changing—last week, the engine blower; this week, the water pump plus a leak in the line. Bob changed this one. Our bikes were corroded with salt water rust and needed new gears but we were able to outfit at a local bike store, Rudy’s. We got our dinghy signs made at One Day Signs and Lil'B will be displayed on her transom even if Baby Grand is on her bottom. Our fridge is stocked with great food from Hannaford’s so we are ready to move into Lake Champlain in a few days.
Plenty of Loopers here (Lolligag, Knot Tied Down, Orinoco) and here we are at Don and Paul’s Restaurant ($1.75 for 2 eggs, toast and coffee—right out of the 1950’s) with Patty and Bob from Orinoco.
My sister Maureen picked us up for a day of fun in Saratoga Springs. Here’s a picture of me and Baby Sis’ with Peebles Island in the background—a great view to wake up to every morning and great trails to walk. We had a Cello Extravaganza Evening at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center attending a concert by the Philadelphia Orchestra, featuring Yo-Yo Ma---absolutely sensational.
Here’s a rare picture of me not wearing my REI uniform, sunglasses and hat. We’ve made reservations to return to MN from 10/7-10/14 and then on to our new life in CO so I guess I’m practicing being a landlubber :(
Waterford is the oldest continuously incorporated village in America, and with its strategic location at the confluence of the Erie and Champlain Canals, as well as the Hudson and Mohawk Rivers, its history is rich in river lore. As a grade-schooler in New York State, I remember learning the words to the Erie Canal Song and I can’t help singing it— http://www.kididdles.com/lyrics/e014.html
Here’s a picture of the Waterford dock with a beautiful hand-painted rental canal boat leading the parade. The sad note is that due to insurance premiums of $25,000, these grand boats will not be offered for charter anymore and will be auctioned off shortly—the end of an era. Loopers will remember that it was a boat like this in the Trent –Severn Canal that inspired Ron and Eva Stob, founders of the Great Loop Association, to start on their documented adventure, Honey, Let's Get a Boat, which enticed many of us to do the Loop trip.
There is so much to do in Waterford and with the first 2 nights free and $10 after that, it really helps the budget. It is run by volunteers and we want to thank them all for such an incredible stay.
Sunday is Farmers Market Day and everybody is here. Here’s a composite picture of a number of my favorite activities—bike riding the old Champlain Canal Trail and if you look closely, you will see the community pool to the right. We’ve had great summer weather in the 80-90’s and a dip in the pool is always refreshing.
We’ve done most of the Loop without a breakdown but that is changing—last week, the engine blower; this week, the water pump plus a leak in the line. Bob changed this one. Our bikes were corroded with salt water rust and needed new gears but we were able to outfit at a local bike store, Rudy’s. We got our dinghy signs made at One Day Signs and Lil'B will be displayed on her transom even if Baby Grand is on her bottom. Our fridge is stocked with great food from Hannaford’s so we are ready to move into Lake Champlain in a few days.
Plenty of Loopers here (Lolligag, Knot Tied Down, Orinoco) and here we are at Don and Paul’s Restaurant ($1.75 for 2 eggs, toast and coffee—right out of the 1950’s) with Patty and Bob from Orinoco.
My sister Maureen picked us up for a day of fun in Saratoga Springs. Here’s a picture of me and Baby Sis’ with Peebles Island in the background—a great view to wake up to every morning and great trails to walk. We had a Cello Extravaganza Evening at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center attending a concert by the Philadelphia Orchestra, featuring Yo-Yo Ma---absolutely sensational.
Here’s a rare picture of me not wearing my REI uniform, sunglasses and hat. We’ve made reservations to return to MN from 10/7-10/14 and then on to our new life in CO so I guess I’m practicing being a landlubber :(
Hope to see many of you. 
