08/8 – 08/15 - Western Erie Canal Cruise
- Thread starter Rick from Maine
- Start date
Haylo,
The Canal cruising guide is spoken for. I hope the August Canal Cruisers don't give us all a bad name. Remember tipping is not a city in China. Nick check out this place just north of Key West, Geiger Key Marina. Ate there looked around looked pretty cool. www.geigerkeymarina.com/ They even had a studio apartment for rent for a grand for month. Seemed to be low key with all the right amenities, bar, food, showers, launch ramps no too far away. Decent fishing out front on the reef or beyond. Jim are you going back up to do the western section of the canal?
D.D.
The Canal cruising guide is spoken for. I hope the August Canal Cruisers don't give us all a bad name. Remember tipping is not a city in China. Nick check out this place just north of Key West, Geiger Key Marina. Ate there looked around looked pretty cool. www.geigerkeymarina.com/ They even had a studio apartment for rent for a grand for month. Seemed to be low key with all the right amenities, bar, food, showers, launch ramps no too far away. Decent fishing out front on the reef or beyond. Jim are you going back up to do the western section of the canal?
D.D.
Dave,
Thanks for the info. We'll check it out in October when we fly down. Other options are always helpful.
Marcia and I are tied up to the Seneca Falls town wall and are enjoying a nice, cool evening. The drive went okay and we registered at the office for vehicle parking with the date that we expect to leave and got that squared away. Terry found us at the ramp and we were able to catch up a little.
Jim,
When looking for the ramp we ran into a guy who said, "Those Cape Dory's are great boats!" We just smiled and agreed, heeding your advice. He also mentioned that there were two people on a Cape Dory who were seeing Lady Liberty right now!
FYI: At the first lock they were out of ten day passes so we did the paperwork there and ran up to the Seneca Falls lock to buy ours. They only had one left after that and the lock tender mentioned that they are in short supply, with a number of locks out of them.
Looking forward to seeing the rest of you in a day or two.
Nick and Marcia
"Valkyrie"
Thanks for the info. We'll check it out in October when we fly down. Other options are always helpful.
Marcia and I are tied up to the Seneca Falls town wall and are enjoying a nice, cool evening. The drive went okay and we registered at the office for vehicle parking with the date that we expect to leave and got that squared away. Terry found us at the ramp and we were able to catch up a little.
Jim,
When looking for the ramp we ran into a guy who said, "Those Cape Dory's are great boats!" We just smiled and agreed, heeding your advice. He also mentioned that there were two people on a Cape Dory who were seeing Lady Liberty right now!
FYI: At the first lock they were out of ten day passes so we did the paperwork there and ran up to the Seneca Falls lock to buy ours. They only had one left after that and the lock tender mentioned that they are in short supply, with a number of locks out of them.
Looking forward to seeing the rest of you in a day or two.
Nick and Marcia
"Valkyrie"
Wayne McCown
New member
Dear Rick:
I (and perhaps other lurkers) would like to know your planned schedule for the cruise...thinking I may be able to meet up with you at some point along the way.
Also, will you posting to this site daily reports on your progress?
Thanks, Wayne
PS: Yesterday, we ran from Lockport to Medina and back. We only saw five other boats moving in either direction during our five hours on the canal, and we never had to wait for a bridge lift. When we arrived in Medina, we were the only boat in sight; another arrived while we were there. There were five tied alongside the wall near the Middleport lift bridge, none in Gasport. At the so-called Widewaters public marina in Lockport (where we launched) there were only three boats. There are 20-30 slips there, and the first four days are free. Bon voyage!
I (and perhaps other lurkers) would like to know your planned schedule for the cruise...thinking I may be able to meet up with you at some point along the way.
Also, will you posting to this site daily reports on your progress?
Thanks, Wayne
PS: Yesterday, we ran from Lockport to Medina and back. We only saw five other boats moving in either direction during our five hours on the canal, and we never had to wait for a bridge lift. When we arrived in Medina, we were the only boat in sight; another arrived while we were there. There were five tied alongside the wall near the Middleport lift bridge, none in Gasport. At the so-called Widewaters public marina in Lockport (where we launched) there were only three boats. There are 20-30 slips there, and the first four days are free. Bon voyage!
Rick from Maine
New member
Hi Wayne,
1. I'm a dinosaur, so there won't be any posts from me during the cruise. Maybe one of our more up to date cruisers will be able to post some tales.
2. Our tentative schedule for anchorages is:
Saturday - Seneca Falls
Sunday - Newark
Monday - Fairport
Tuesday - Spencerport
Wednesday - Medina
Thursday - No. Tonawanda
I think Sat thru Tues is pretty firm, after that it's Jello.
3. I hope you can link up with us, especially if youcan play when Rich & Barb are there in their rental barge. Rich hopes to be in Newark and Fairport with us.
Rick
1. I'm a dinosaur, so there won't be any posts from me during the cruise. Maybe one of our more up to date cruisers will be able to post some tales.
2. Our tentative schedule for anchorages is:
Saturday - Seneca Falls
Sunday - Newark
Monday - Fairport
Tuesday - Spencerport
Wednesday - Medina
Thursday - No. Tonawanda
I think Sat thru Tues is pretty firm, after that it's Jello.
3. I hope you can link up with us, especially if youcan play when Rich & Barb are there in their rental barge. Rich hopes to be in Newark and Fairport with us.
Rick
So - how many will be in Fairport Monday night ? What is the ETA - if someone will give me a call, a few minutes ahead of time, I'll go up to the lift bridge and take a group shot. If I get you just after the first bridge you'll have the Fairport sign in the background.
At this minute there is room for MAYBE 2 boats at the wall with power. Just under the East bridge (just as you come into town) there is the old wall - no power, but it is a place to park. Tuesday night is "Cruise Night" for the car buffs out there.
Cell # 713.....447......92....78
At this minute there is room for MAYBE 2 boats at the wall with power. Just under the East bridge (just as you come into town) there is the old wall - no power, but it is a place to park. Tuesday night is "Cruise Night" for the car buffs out there.
Cell # 713.....447......92....78
Toyman,
Looks like we'll have a total of 7 C-Dory's and one big, honkin' canal boat. We're in Newark for the night, tied to the town docks with free showers, laundry, Wi-Fi, and pump out.
The plan is to leave at 9:30 tomorrow and stop in Palmyra to tour the town, lunch and so on. ETA for Fairport is unknown and dependent on what happens in Palmyra. It is possible that some may break free and get to Fairport a bit earlier.
Today was a good day, if a bit wet. Fortunately we missed some major weather that skirted our area. We have the camper canvas up for the night and are buttoned in pretty tight as more storms are forecast to come through. Same forecast for the rest of the week. Arrrgh!
Today's big excitement was locking through twice with newbies (nonboaters) in a 40 foot, steel canal boat - very unaware and appeared to have been stars on the demolition derby circuit! We got away from them as soon as possible. Actually, a lock master told the five C-Dory's to go into a lock BEFORE them and Rick on Hunky Dory kindly suggested that they go in first.
I have your cell number and will give you a call as more develops.
Nick
"Valkyrie"
Looks like we'll have a total of 7 C-Dory's and one big, honkin' canal boat. We're in Newark for the night, tied to the town docks with free showers, laundry, Wi-Fi, and pump out.
The plan is to leave at 9:30 tomorrow and stop in Palmyra to tour the town, lunch and so on. ETA for Fairport is unknown and dependent on what happens in Palmyra. It is possible that some may break free and get to Fairport a bit earlier.
Today was a good day, if a bit wet. Fortunately we missed some major weather that skirted our area. We have the camper canvas up for the night and are buttoned in pretty tight as more storms are forecast to come through. Same forecast for the rest of the week. Arrrgh!
Today's big excitement was locking through twice with newbies (nonboaters) in a 40 foot, steel canal boat - very unaware and appeared to have been stars on the demolition derby circuit! We got away from them as soon as possible. Actually, a lock master told the five C-Dory's to go into a lock BEFORE them and Rick on Hunky Dory kindly suggested that they go in first.
I have your cell number and will give you a call as more develops.
Nick
"Valkyrie"
Thanks for sharing your cruise with us. The western end is our favorite part of the system. Rick's call about letting the rental go first was a good one. A C-Dory is no match in a shoving contest with a steel barge helmed by someone that does not know about reverse or much of anything. By the end of their trip they will probably be doing much better.
When in Fairport be sure to say Hello to my long time friend and Dockmaster Tom Speedy. He is also a wonderful source of info about Fairport. One tip from me, buy your ice from the Colonial Belle office it is close and cheap.
When in Fairport be sure to say Hello to my long time friend and Dockmaster Tom Speedy. He is also a wonderful source of info about Fairport. One tip from me, buy your ice from the Colonial Belle office it is close and cheap.
Cruise update:
We spent a few hours in Palmyra, a picturesque canal town and birthplace of Joseph Smith, founder of the Mormon religion. We walked around and checked out the local sights, but quite a few places are closed on Monday, through the entire canal it seems.
After that it was a fairly short run to Fairport where we spent the night. It's pretty crowded here on the town wall, and noisy as we are located between two steel bridges and trains run through the area frequently. We met Dave (Toyman) on Fan-C and another Dave (LOL) on Snickers. Most of us had dinner at a nearby restaurant and our timing was good - it started to rain shortly after we got there. Afterwards, Marcia and I took a long walk and got a mocha before heading back to the boat. Today we head for a stop in Pittsford and then Spencerport.
Rather than drive back to the launch ramp in a rental and bringing the trailer to Tonawanda later in the week to haul out, it appears that Marcia and I, along with Dave and Valerie on Widget will turn around and head back to Seneca Lake by water, exploring some spots where we didn't stop.
We've been pretty lucky with the rain. While in Newark we had a few showers, but an area to the south of us was flooded when they received 5 inches of rain. Also, boaters received a warning from the dockmaster that a severe storm with hail was heading our way, but that, too, missed us, which was good as most of us were at a restaurant. It looks clear right now and we'll pull out at about 9:30.
Nick
"Valkyrie"
We spent a few hours in Palmyra, a picturesque canal town and birthplace of Joseph Smith, founder of the Mormon religion. We walked around and checked out the local sights, but quite a few places are closed on Monday, through the entire canal it seems.
After that it was a fairly short run to Fairport where we spent the night. It's pretty crowded here on the town wall, and noisy as we are located between two steel bridges and trains run through the area frequently. We met Dave (Toyman) on Fan-C and another Dave (LOL) on Snickers. Most of us had dinner at a nearby restaurant and our timing was good - it started to rain shortly after we got there. Afterwards, Marcia and I took a long walk and got a mocha before heading back to the boat. Today we head for a stop in Pittsford and then Spencerport.
Rather than drive back to the launch ramp in a rental and bringing the trailer to Tonawanda later in the week to haul out, it appears that Marcia and I, along with Dave and Valerie on Widget will turn around and head back to Seneca Lake by water, exploring some spots where we didn't stop.
We've been pretty lucky with the rain. While in Newark we had a few showers, but an area to the south of us was flooded when they received 5 inches of rain. Also, boaters received a warning from the dockmaster that a severe storm with hail was heading our way, but that, too, missed us, which was good as most of us were at a restaurant. It looks clear right now and we'll pull out at about 9:30.
Nick
"Valkyrie"
Wayne McCown
New member
We are montioring your progress with interest. (Our home is located ca. 10 miles straight south of Spencerport, and our cottage on L. Ontario straight north of Middleport.)
What time do you expect to arrive in Medina Wednesday afternoon/evening?
(We are taking another non-boating couple out for a "cruise" on the Canal Wednesday afternoon. Leaving from Lockport, we are heading east...probably as far as Middleport, and return. But then, we might trailer the CD to Medina to meet up with you before heading back to the cottage.)
What time do you expect to arrive in Medina Wednesday afternoon/evening?
(We are taking another non-boating couple out for a "cruise" on the Canal Wednesday afternoon. Leaving from Lockport, we are heading east...probably as far as Middleport, and return. But then, we might trailer the CD to Medina to meet up with you before heading back to the cottage.)
Wayne McCown
New member
Notes to the "flotilla":
1. The lift bridge at Gasport was closed, but it is now open again.
2. The code for the restrooms at Medina is 43152.
Wayne
1. The lift bridge at Gasport was closed, but it is now open again.
2. The code for the restrooms at Medina is 43152.
Wayne
Cruise update:
We left Fairport about 10:00 AM and headed for Pittsford where the flotilla spent about three hours shopping, eating and visiting. Marcia and I found a real, old time dairy that sold milk in glass jugs with cream still on top, just like the old days. One elderly gentlemen came in with his wire milk carrier and picked up up three quarts - it could have been the 50's all over again.
Heading west, we ran up the Genessee River toward Rochester, just to do some exploring. Due to heavy rain for the last few days, the river looked like milk chocolate. Milk chocolate with trees, stumps, branches and all sorts of flotsam and deadheads floating in it. After about two-three miles we turned around and headed back to the canal, whose green waters actually looked appealing!
We fueled up at Allen's Marina (I think) and four boats stopped at a B&B in Adam's Basin for the night and Nan-C and Valkyrie are here in Brockport at the town wall. We had a nice dinner and a few beers at Barbers and then stretched our legs until some guy accosted us and forced Marcia and me to eat a large hot fudge sundae!
The B&B contingent will probably come through here about 10:30 or so and then it is on toward Medina. Not being the cruise director (that's Rick on Hunky Dory) I'm not sure what stops we will make before Medina, so I can't project our ETA. Tomorrow night will be our last with the group. As they head west, we will retrace our wake and head back to Seneca Lake by water, hopefully stopping different spots for overnights and exploring towns that we have by-passed. We have thoroughly enjoyed cruising with our fellow brats and being on the canal once again.
Oh yeah, at many locks and towns we are frequently asked, "Where do they charter those cute little boats?" People are surprised to hear that we are actually an active group of owners, not chartering boaters.
Nick
"Valkyrie"
We left Fairport about 10:00 AM and headed for Pittsford where the flotilla spent about three hours shopping, eating and visiting. Marcia and I found a real, old time dairy that sold milk in glass jugs with cream still on top, just like the old days. One elderly gentlemen came in with his wire milk carrier and picked up up three quarts - it could have been the 50's all over again.
Heading west, we ran up the Genessee River toward Rochester, just to do some exploring. Due to heavy rain for the last few days, the river looked like milk chocolate. Milk chocolate with trees, stumps, branches and all sorts of flotsam and deadheads floating in it. After about two-three miles we turned around and headed back to the canal, whose green waters actually looked appealing!
We fueled up at Allen's Marina (I think) and four boats stopped at a B&B in Adam's Basin for the night and Nan-C and Valkyrie are here in Brockport at the town wall. We had a nice dinner and a few beers at Barbers and then stretched our legs until some guy accosted us and forced Marcia and me to eat a large hot fudge sundae!
The B&B contingent will probably come through here about 10:30 or so and then it is on toward Medina. Not being the cruise director (that's Rick on Hunky Dory) I'm not sure what stops we will make before Medina, so I can't project our ETA. Tomorrow night will be our last with the group. As they head west, we will retrace our wake and head back to Seneca Lake by water, hopefully stopping different spots for overnights and exploring towns that we have by-passed. We have thoroughly enjoyed cruising with our fellow brats and being on the canal once again.
Oh yeah, at many locks and towns we are frequently asked, "Where do they charter those cute little boats?" People are surprised to hear that we are actually an active group of owners, not chartering boaters.
Nick
"Valkyrie"
Wayne McCown
New member
Nick:
On your return, I recommend an overnight in Lockport at the "Widewaters marina." It's a quiet place, with a nice canalside park, and lots of (usually empty) slips: the first four nights are free. There is a museum tour of the locks in Lockport.
I also recommend an overnight in the village of Holly. Tie-up along the wall is free, and the accomodations include electric power and showers. The short walk to the village goes through a nice park.
Spencerport is also a nice place to overnight and visit.
Suggestions from a local...
Wayne
On your return, I recommend an overnight in Lockport at the "Widewaters marina." It's a quiet place, with a nice canalside park, and lots of (usually empty) slips: the first four nights are free. There is a museum tour of the locks in Lockport.
I also recommend an overnight in the village of Holly. Tie-up along the wall is free, and the accomodations include electric power and showers. The short walk to the village goes through a nice park.
Spencerport is also a nice place to overnight and visit.
Suggestions from a local...
Wayne