Orion Jr getting ready for launch in Macedon We closed up Orion on a rainy Saturday morning and hooked up Jr behind the truck to make our way north for our mid-summer cruise on the Erie Canal. After a stop in Reston for annual physicals and some time with friends, we finally arrived in New York in time to launch Orion Jr just a few days before June came to an end. However, we didn't set any records for long days, since our first 3 days of cruising only had us 8 miles west of where we started.
Underway on the Erie Canal Splashing Orion Jr
Jr's trip north on the trailer from Hampton was pretty uneventful. We were pleased to find an inexpensive and easy-to-get-to storage lot at Bull Run Regional Park in Centerville, not far from where we were staying in Reston. Another pleasant surprise was the small Mid-Lakes Marina on the canal in Macedon, just a short distance from Dave's parents. They were very accommodating, even letting us stay on the boat on the trailer for a night while we readied her for launching. It took us about a half a day to rig the new mast, put the canvas back up, mount the rudder, tiller, outboard, anchors, fenders, etc. Just after lunch the next day, we were ready to launch. However, we weren't ready to use the truck to do it.
Jr's trip north on the trailer from Hampton was pretty uneventful. We were pleased to find an inexpensive and easy-to-get-to storage lot at Bull Run Regional Park in Centerville, not far from where we were staying in Reston. Another pleasant surprise was the small Mid-Lakes Marina on the canal in Macedon, just a short distance from Dave's parents. They were very accommodating, even letting us stay on the boat on the trailer for a night while we readied her for launching. It took us about a half a day to rig the new mast, put the canvas back up, mount the rudder, tiller, outboard, anchors, fenders, etc. Just after lunch the next day, we were ready to launch. However, we weren't ready to use the truck to do it.
Launching via backhoe Just before our trip, we had a sudden epiphany about using the extended tongue. We needed another, lower ball mount or a trailer jack that would lift the tongue up high enough for our existing ball mount. Both options had us asking a lot of questions about which was best, with no obvious direction to take. Thankfully, Mid-Lakes offered us an out. They would launch the boat with a backhoe. This would give us time to figure out the extended tongue. It turned out to be a very good thing. We learned that the brake controller and battery are mounted too low on the trailer to effectively launch the boat using the extended tongue. So, before we do that, we'll stop by Magic Tilt and have them move them up higher. In the meantime, the backhoe with a skilled operator worked like a charm.
Orion Jr's little mast with inspection sticker While we were waiting for launch, we managed to squeeze in a Vessel Safety Inspection. Although Orion Jr had been inspected in January, the sticker was sitting on her mast back in Virginia. So, we got a new sticker from an inspector in NY to put on the "little" mast that we'll use for the canal. As usual, we learned something new from the inspection. NY doesn't allow the flare guns, which are considered concealed weapons. So, we had to rely on our handheld flares to pass.
Once in the water, there were only a few tasks left to get going. We wanted to take the bikes with us, so Dave lashed 2 x 2's on the foredeck to support the bikes on either side of the deck. We topped off the water, and got the refrigeration going so we could stock with food. That was pretty much it. Ready to go.
Once in the water, there were only a few tasks left to get going. We wanted to take the bikes with us, so Dave lashed 2 x 2's on the foredeck to support the bikes on either side of the deck. We topped off the water, and got the refrigeration going so we could stock with food. That was pretty much it. Ready to go.
Dave and dad on Erie Canal en route to Fairport Getting Underway
For such a momentous occasion as our first trip on the canal, we needed crew to witness it. So, we recruited Dave's dad to join us for the first leg. It was going to be a marathon trip from Macedon to Fairport – all of about an hour and a half, with no opening bridges and no locks. Pretty mild stuff. If it weren't for the withering heat, it would have been a nearly perfect run. We knew our speed wasn't exceeding the canal's 10mph speed limit, when we saw runners on the canal path pass us easily. This part of the canal is very green, with trees on either side. There is not a lot of boat traffic, since this is now a recreational waterway, so our fellow cruisers were mostly local boaters or the popular canal boats that are available for rent – many of them from Mid-Lakes Marina.
For such a momentous occasion as our first trip on the canal, we needed crew to witness it. So, we recruited Dave's dad to join us for the first leg. It was going to be a marathon trip from Macedon to Fairport – all of about an hour and a half, with no opening bridges and no locks. Pretty mild stuff. If it weren't for the withering heat, it would have been a nearly perfect run. We knew our speed wasn't exceeding the canal's 10mph speed limit, when we saw runners on the canal path pass us easily. This part of the canal is very green, with trees on either side. There is not a lot of boat traffic, since this is now a recreational waterway, so our fellow cruisers were mostly local boaters or the popular canal boats that are available for rent – many of them from Mid-Lakes Marina.
Colonial Belle passes under 100-yr old lift bridge in Fairport Fairport is one of many small towns in Rochester's eastern suburbs. But its popularity on the canal is much larger than some of its bigger, wealthier neighbors. We've passed through the town many times while living in the area, but didn't know about this other identity. The port is centered around the 100-year old Main St lift bridge, which is unique, since it is not level, but on a slight rise as Main St heads south across it. There are no right angles on the bridge, causing many challenges for its engineers back in the early 1900's. There is dockage on both the north and south walls of the canal, which include power, water, and showers for only $7/night. Pretty amazing for us southern cruisers.
Abbotts is reason enough to stop at Bushnell's Basin After a couple of nights in Fairport, we made our 2nd big hop from Fairport to Bushnell's Basin. This was an exhausting 45 minute run. However, it was definitely worth it, since we were docked within a few feet of an Abbott's Custard store. Given the continuing heat of the late June days, the ice cream was a welcome treat. And we were greeted with a generous welcome packet from the dockmaster, including a very nice Bushnell's Basin T-shirt and a free frosted mug of root beer at Tom Wahl's across the street. Wow!
Pittsford Town Docks The next day we were off to Pittsford, Rochester's weathiest suburb -- another run of under an hour. It's just a grind! The free docks here were in a beautiful setting, once again with power and water. It was disappointing that there were no showers, but we made do. And they came with the benefit of a natural alarm clock. The Pittsford crew goes by shortly after 6 in the morning with bullhorns to coach the rowers. Hello there!
But we have no complaints. This waterway is absolutely beautiful and its towns are welcoming to us at every stop. We've met locals and other boaters with lots of their own stories. The family from South Africa who were escaping the heat by jumping in the canal. The local boater who docked his boat near work during this July 4th week, so within a few minutes of leaving work, he was on vacation. You get the idea.
But we have no complaints. This waterway is absolutely beautiful and its towns are welcoming to us at every stop. We've met locals and other boaters with lots of their own stories. The family from South Africa who were escaping the heat by jumping in the canal. The local boater who docked his boat near work during this July 4th week, so within a few minutes of leaving work, he was on vacation. You get the idea.
Fairport's history includes French's start-up Getting to Know the Erie Canal
Since we used to live along the canal, we always had an awareness of its importance in forming the towns and cities in upstate New York. However, what we started to learn in the process of reading about it, was its wider influence on regional and national events. The Erie Canal made New York City a major city, as it became a hub for imports and exports. It was the first time America's frontier became easily reachable and the idea of further expansion took hold throughout the country, as the canal's success was studied and envied. Not only did the region flourish economically, the canal corridor became the engine of ideas as well, with social, religious and progressive movements sprouting in the towns along its banks. Abolition, Women's Rights, utopian communities were ideas that were formed and incubated here. Although the canal's critics were many as New York's Governor DeWitt Clinton promoted and obtained funding for this grand engineering feat, they were eventually silenced by its stunning success.
Since we used to live along the canal, we always had an awareness of its importance in forming the towns and cities in upstate New York. However, what we started to learn in the process of reading about it, was its wider influence on regional and national events. The Erie Canal made New York City a major city, as it became a hub for imports and exports. It was the first time America's frontier became easily reachable and the idea of further expansion took hold throughout the country, as the canal's success was studied and envied. Not only did the region flourish economically, the canal corridor became the engine of ideas as well, with social, religious and progressive movements sprouting in the towns along its banks. Abolition, Women's Rights, utopian communities were ideas that were formed and incubated here. Although the canal's critics were many as New York's Governor DeWitt Clinton promoted and obtained funding for this grand engineering feat, they were eventually silenced by its stunning success.
Bridge over canal west of Macedon The canal rises 568 feet from the Hudson River to Lake Erie over 400 miles from Albany to Buffalo. The original canal, opened in 1825 was dug to avoid the natural waterways and was only 4 feet deep and 40 feet wide. It was the engineering marvel of its day, with aqueducts and locks carrying the canal up and over existing natural terrain and waterways. By the early 1900's,it was enlarged and re-routed to "canalize" more natural waterways, with an average depth of 12ft and width of 45 feet. However, its commercial use declined in the1960's with the opening of the St. Lawrence Seaway for much larger cargo vessels. Within the years since, the canal has become a recreational waterway and in 2005 was designated a National Heritage Corridor. Tourism and community revitalization along the canal has benefitted in the intervening years. Many of the docks that are recently installed are result of state and federal funds made available through this initiative.
Guard Gate before the Great Embankment Almost every day we encounter some new or interesting feature. On our second day of travel, we learned that our stop in Bushnell's Basin was actually the original western terminus of the canal. The reason? They needed to devise a strategy for crossing Irondequoit Creek, as much as 70 feet below the canal. The solution was the "Great Embankment", which apparently is unequalled even today for its height. Understandably, since the embankment had a breach in the not too distant past and flooded the surrounding land, there are guard guates that close off the rest of the canal's waters. One to the east and one to the west of the embankment. We had always wondered why they were here. Mystery solved.
There will be more discoveries as we travel, if our first 3 days are any indication. We're looking forward to it.
There will be more discoveries as we travel, if our first 3 days are any indication. We're looking forward to it.
Dave and Mom at Bushnell's Basin Family and Friends
Since arriving in New York, we've had the chance to visit with Dave's parents living nearby in Victor, NY. However, that will not be true for much longer, since they are moving to Pennsylvania at the end of July. Our travels on the canal have been split between time with them, some just visiting and some to help with pre-move tasks. We also worked in our dentist visit as well.
Since arriving in New York, we've had the chance to visit with Dave's parents living nearby in Victor, NY. However, that will not be true for much longer, since they are moving to Pennsylvania at the end of July. Our travels on the canal have been split between time with them, some just visiting and some to help with pre-move tasks. We also worked in our dentist visit as well.
Reston's new Metro station We enjoyed some time visiting our friend Cookie in Reston, as we visited our doctor for another physical and maybe the best report of our overall health we've had. Guess all that swimming helped. This was also the first time in years we've had a chance to visit our church in Reston, which has a newly remodeled facility including a beautiful sanctuary. It was great to see it and catch up with several friends there. There was a lot of buzz as the long-awaited Metro station is completed and the date of the first run was set for late July. If we had stayed, our house would have been a short walk from the Metro. Maybe we should have waited for it . . . Don't think so!
