08/8 – 08/15 - Western Erie Canal Cruise

Hi Toyman,
When you look at the map you'll see that it is an easy trip down the highway from Saratoga to the launch ramp. And, you will find cruising the Erie is the easiest shakedown cruise you can find. You'll have a ball with us.

Hey Rich,
Sure hope you guys can make it. But, you'll want to check with the barge rental Companies. From what I've seen, Seneca Falls is about as far west as most cruisers get on a 1 wk cruise, given the pick up point and slow speed of the barges. It'd be great if you could pick one up in Seneca Falls. Let us know what you can work out.

Rick from Maine
 
Hi Toyman,

I just realized what you meant about getting your tow rig to Seneca Lake State Park.

One way to do it, if you have a co-pilot is: Stop at Waterford, and you can leave your boat tied up there for 2 days. Call Enterprise Rental Cars to come pick you up at the Waterford Dock. Leave the boat, and take the rental car to your tow rig. Drive both the tow rig and rental to Seneca Lake. Leave the tow rig. Drive the rental back to Troy ( the closest Enterprise to Waterford), and have them drop you off at the boat. I have done this on 1 day of a weekend for only $22.

Rick from Maine
 
Thanks Rick---- I will check with the barge companies Monday. Im sure I saw some farther west around Medina or where that Italian restaurant was located that the owners were friends of Terry(Last Dance) & his sister. Are you going to be staying at the B & B again in S. Falls? Are you going to be registered under your alias again? Thanks Rich
 
Hi All--Do we as have a schedule of sorts? I expect we will leaving Seneca Falls on Sunday and getting to Fairport that p.m. for dinner. unsure of stops after that, except maybe Richardson's Canal House in Pittsford. Trying to make plans for a charter boat. Thanks Rich
 
The NY State Canal Cruising Guide is on its way to us. 500+ miles of canal system! We've been doing some research to prepare for this. Looking forward to meeting some NE C-Brats if it all works out.

Best wishes,
Jim B.
 
Hi Rich,

For your planning purposes, here is a summary of our cruise in 2005. We traveled at about 8 mph. You’ll probably be limited to 6 mph with a barge. This year we will probably travel at about 9 – 10 mph. Day 1 will be Aug 9th for us. As you can see, we often spent more time on shore than running. From Geneva to N. Tonawanda was 17 locks, 157 miles and about 11 lift bridges.

Day 1: Seneca Falls to Newark, took 5 ½ hr running time, not including stops.

Day 2: Newark to Fairport, took 2 ¾ hr running time

Day 3: Fairport to Spencerport, took approx 4 ½ hrs running time

Day 4: Spencerport to Medina, took approx 6 hrs running time

Day 5: Spencerport to N. Tonawanda, took approx 5 hrs running time.

Rick from Maine
 
Hi Folks,

Just a quick comment about the Erie Canal. It has to be one of the best cruising grounds for a C-Dory. FREE DOCKING, FREE SHOWERS, and FREE LAUNDRY. Plenty of motels along the way if you want to go ashore. Very interesting old cities, all built during the beginning of the industrial revolution.

I have promised myself that if I , or when I sell the Inn, I am going to spend the first September on the Erie Canal and her sisters. With somebody, or alone.

I did the cruise a few years ago with these same people including Dun, Rick, their wives, and El and Bill. During the last stop, Lockport, I purchased a book, THE WEDDING OF THE WATERS by Bernstein. It is a great book about the importance of the Erie Canal. One comment. If it was not the Erie Canal opening up the west, the people who live in Ohio would probable be speaking French.

Also, order up the movie FIFTEEN MILES ON THE ERIE CANAL through your local Public Brocasting TV Station. The movie is about the western Erie Canal and stars all our boats and El and Bill.

Enjoy and pray that the Inn will sell. Then I will be there with you.

Fred
 
Thanks Rick & Fred-- The last time I launched at Macedon and meet everyone at Fairport that evening. Are you planning on being in Fairport on Sun. or Mon? I'm making plans for a 40'+ English/Dutch Canal Barge to pick up either at Macedon or Fairport for possibly 2 C-Dory couples and 1 guest couple.

Fred-- I thought you had sold your Inn? Thanks Rich
 
F.Y.I.-- All you history buffs, the book that Fred ( the man from Nantucket) was referring to "Wedding of the Waters" about the Erie Canal is aviable used through Amazon.com in either paperback or hardcover for $6 to $12. I just ordered mine in hard copy for approx $12 and that included shipping costs. ----- Rich
 
Hi everyone--- what are the plans for dinner on 08 & 09 & 10 of Aug.? Just trying to figure out our schedule since our arrangements will be a little different. Thanks Rich
 
Hi Rich,

You've obviously confused us with an organized group. As you saw last time, we don't know where & when we'll be dining at each overnight stop until we get there. But, it's rare that we start looking to eat before 5:30 PM, so if you get to the dock by 5:30 each night you'll find us.

It would be fun if we all can meet at the dock in Seneca Falls on Saturday, 8/8 about 6:00 PM. I can't find the name of that Italian restaurant in the middle of Seneca Falls that we dined at last time. I'll try to get a reservation there as soon as I get there and know how many to expect.

Sunday night, 8/9, we're likely to be in Newark.

Monday, 8/10 we're likely to be in Fairport.

Rick from Maine
 
Dun,
I was wondering about fuel availability along the canal. Do they have fuel available in most towns or are fuel docks few and far between? The trip from Seneca Lake to Buffalo is roughly how many canal miles? Do you have a plan on where you will stop each night or is it just tumbling dice. Just wondering about coming up the Hudson and then out the Erie canal. I'd imagine a full set of tanks get you from Lake Seneca to Buffalo no problem. Do they have shore power hook ups in the towns or do most use generators if 120 volt power is required?
D.D.
 
Hi Dave,

We made it on our full tanks from Geneva to Buffalo, but there are places to get it along the way, or you can bring a 5 gal can and fill it up in a gas station in the towns we stop at. I think it was about 175 miles, more or less. Fuel is not a problem. Our plan is flexible, as Rick said for his group, but we like Seneca Falls, Newark, Fairport, Pittsford, Brockport, Spencerport, Medina, Lockport or any number of other stops. there are so many and they are all very nice. Most of the towns have Electric at the walls, some have water, and some pumpouts. You may need a long cord to reach the power source, we use a 50'er. The only one that I know of that charges is Fairport, and that was $8/night in 2005. All the locks also have wall tie ups available, but no electric or water and some are not near restaurants or towns. We don't have a generator and don't miss it.

If you come up the Hudson, and enter the Erie Canal in Waterford, it is at least 200 miles, and 5-7 days to Seneca Falls. You should pick up the NY State Canal Cruising guide www.nyscanals.gov/exvac/cguide/index.html.
It will give you all the distances and more info than you can use.

It looks like we now have 4 boats for the September trip, and hope you can join us to make it 5. we can meet at the wall in Seneca Falls at 6PM on Sept 19th, and go to dinner from there. I'm sure it won't be crowded in Sept.

Dun
 
Rick--- think Henry B's in Seneca Falls it's a standup joint ,a little pricey but, great wine list & great food. Italian food made by real Italians. Two can actually share one plate. Sort of reminds me of a 1950's NY steakhouse without the red leather. Has had lots of good reports and coments. Check it out they do have a web page and menu. Rich
 
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