Erie Canal

[El and Bill]

For those cruising the Erie Canal, there is a site

http://www.nyscanals.gov/tas/signup.shtml

where you can sign up for alerts regarding conditions on the canal. Mighty handy for cruisers to get the word about closures, lock problems, etc.

Also, looks like the State will be waiving fees for boaters using the canal this year. Tempting??

 

[JamesTXSD]

Awww, man... we need to have a moritorium on these cruise suggestions. Or at least start listing them in the best geographical order! :wink NW to SW to Guf to SE back to Gulf to SW back to NW. Who's in charge of this routing? 8)

The NY canal system is what originally put this powercruising idea into my head. I thought it would happen this year, but now it looks like we will be in the NW in late summer... NW to NE???

Best wishes,
Jim B.

 

[El and Bill]

Jim --
We are thinking about hopping over the Cascades in mid-August, cruising lakes in northern Idaho, then cruising lakes of upper Missouri River in Montana/N.Dakota, then down lower Missouri River, then up to Erie Canal in September. Nothing definite -- but thoughts -- whaddya think?

 

[Pat Anderson]

We are going to need to get a diesel dually when we retire for sure, if we are going to be hauling Daydream all over, not going to cross the mountains pulling it with the Expedition!

 

[JamesTXSD]

Jim --
We are thinking about hopping over the Cascades in mid-August, cruising lakes in northern Idaho, then cruising lakes of upper Missouri River in Montana/N.Dakota, then down lower Missouri River, then up to Erie Canal in September. Nothing definite -- but thoughts -- whaddya think?

I think anywhere you two go you make your own adventures! My only concerns about the Missouri River lakes is the lack of snowpack this winter and the resulting low lake levels. We've done the "Great Lakes" of the Missouri in the exotic land of South Dakota and when the water levels are good, it's very good. Plenty of history along that "Lewis & Clark Trail" as well. No way to lock around above Yankton, so trailer-hopping is a must. I have been told that our travel plans will put us in SD in June before we head back to the NW, so I may be able to let you know.

Hope we will be able to meet up in the NW before you head east.

Seeing your post here is a good thing - means all went well with your "tune-up". Know that we all here wish you the very best.

The Blonde and the Kid have some plans in the works for September, but (as always) most of our plans are carved in Jello. Your posts of the Erie Canal really got me interested in this boat. I'll propose this to the Itinerary Manager.

Best wishes,
Jim B.

 

[El and Bill]

Jim --

Great! All's in jello, anyway, but fun to dream -- and that's the only way they become real.

We paddled a double kayak a couple months down the upper Missouri and those lakes (MT to SD) -- water levels weren't a concern for us traveling that way. Why are they a problem with C-Dorys? Is it the ramps out of water?

Anyway, we'll all do a little dreaming. Care to explore Lakes Pend 'dOrielle, Priest, Flathead, Coer d'Alene, on the way to the Missouri Lakes?

 

[Wanderer]

Our jello hasn't even jelled.

But, Penny and I spent an hour this morning totalling distances for a "loop" that includes part of the Erie Canal, the Rideau Canal, out the Trent-Severn and across the North Channel, Georgian Bay and back. The whole thing-not including side trips-looked to be over 1600 miles.

If we go, we would like to do the Rideau with the gathering being planned.

Why don't you folks give up all that in and out stuff and do a real cruise??

Some company might get the jello firm.

 

[JamesTXSD]

... water levels weren't a concern for us traveling that way. Why are they a problem with C-Dorys? Is it the ramps out of water? ...

Yes. There have been problems at Lake Francis Case (the middle of the SD Missouri River lakes) with ramps being out of the water (closed) in recent summers. Oahe and Lewis & Clark haven't been as affected. With the typically dry summers, it gets worse as the season goes on. There is some barge traffic south of Sioux City, Iowa, so Yankton (Lewis & Clark) is required to keep a certain amount of waterflow going.

 

[El and Bill]

Thanks, Jim -- we'll check on the Internet before attempting.

 

[Rick from Maine]

I'm reading "Canal Boatman My life on Upstate Waterways" by Richard Garrity, published in 1977 by Syracuse University Press. I highly recommend it.

It is the recollections of the author's boyhood working and living on a Canal boat with his family from 1905 to 1916. It provides history, lore, and recollections of a canaller. It is wonderful.

For the most part it describes mule hauled boats. It would amaze us now a days to see what those mules did.

I've learned more about the Erie Canal from this book than from several other books & videos, and 3 cruises with stops in Canal towns and museums.

Rick from Maine