On to Ilion

We really enjoyed our stay at the Lock 20 Park last night. It was about 8:30 when we shoved off... easy to do, since we were right at the lock - just call the lockmaster and let him know we are requesting passage... we didn't untie from the dock until he was opening the lock doors.


Another pretty morning. This section of the canal is relatively unpopulated; at least you don't see many houses from the water. There is a lengthy biking/jogging path that runs along some of this stretch...


We did 16 miles and passed through two locks. Only saw two boats going the other direction. While there is great historical significance to the Erie Canal, it certainly can't be cost effective in its operation. I have no doubt that many of the small towns along the canal are dependent on it for bringing tourists in. Very wooded, we also saw many logs and branches floating in the water today.


We stopped for the day in Ilion. We were needed a laundromat and groceries... and the city marina has a small laundry and the grocery store is only a three-minute walk away. We had lunch at the restaurant at the marina and thoroughly enjoyed the food AND the air conditioning. Then laundry. We sat in the shade of some big trees while letting the machines do their job. Off to the grocery store, then another 4 blocks to another store to get the stuff the first one didn't have. We walked Izzy, but she wasn't much interested in exercise today... musta been the heat.

Here's a shot of one of the very few boats that went by this afternoon...

It looks to be purposefully built for running on the canals: short enough to get under the fixed bridges. A passenger boat, it looks like it has cabins for overnight trips.

The amenities here at Ilion are decent: 30/50 amp electrical, water, cable TV, wifi, shower, and the previously mentioned laundry. The only drawback for us is the height of the wall... we have to climb up to get off the boat. Not a big deal.