It may seem like this trip has become the "where to eat" tour. Joan and I enjoy biking around the different towns, checking out the architecture, history, and culture... but the subject of where to eat always comes up. Stop at any dock and listen to the conversations.
Our time on the canal will probably wrap up in a week or so. The cruising style here is certainly different from other places we've been. I would describe it as easy and laid back. There has been no problem finding a good place to stop for the day. No need for a dinghy or a generator... if you want power, it is available. Same for restrooms and showers. Our solar shower has been filled, but not needed. We can provision Wild Blue for a couple weeks of self-sufficiency, but that hasn't been required here, either... grocery stores aren't available in every small town/village, but you can generally find a convenience store or a Rite-Aid for basics. And it's easy to have at least one meal per day at a restaurant here on the canal... especially in the western 1/3. Some have been fine dining, some Mom & Pop places, and the occasional greasy spoon... but, that's been part of the fun, too. Not for the cholesterol-challenged, but we have also gotten more exercise with all the biking and walking.
When I read about traveling on the canal, I expected more towns, homes, and businesses along the canal. It has been more like going down a river through a forest, with tree-lined shores on either side. The towns and villages are a fun break from that. We've enjoyed transiting the locks... there's good info in the cruising guides so you know what to expect with each: lines, cables or posts, and how much lift/drop.
And this may be the best cruising deal on the water: $50 for a season pass for our size boat. The New York State Canal System Cruising Guide for $20 and Skipper Bob's for $12. You can get all the other information you want/need on the internet or by asking a local. Speaking of which, the lock masters and bridge tenders have been very friendly all along the canal... even in the rain. Free or inexpensive dock space with power and water at many of the towns. Free walls to tie off to at most of the locks. Well-marked waterway, and not many opportunities to "get lost."
One thing that has surprised us is how little traffic we've seen... maybe an average of a half dozen boats on any given day. Most of the city docks have had plenty of open spaces. When we've tied off on a lock wall, we've been the only ones. More often than not, we've gone through locks by ourselves. On one occasion, there were 5 boats in the lock and plenty of room. I don't know how the state of New York cost-justifies this, but I'm delighted they do.
So you don't think I'm sugar-coating this, the only downside of this cruise has been the debris in the water and the scum at our waterline. Wild Blue's hull is going to need some work to get the brownish stain off, and the debris in the water has been due to the unusually heavy rains this area has gotten this season. We've been rained on a time or twelve. My new buddy Dave (toyman) will probably bring up our "Sanford & Son" air conditioner, but this is the first time with Wild Blue that we've NEEDED a/c. There have been some warm, sticky days where that a/c between enjoyment and endurance.
While I'm aware you know all this information, there may be others out there who are considering a cruise on the canal. This was one of the reasons we considered a powercruiser. You could easily spend the whole season here and not see it all.
Plus, we've met nice folks at every stop.
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And, a completely different observation...
The dock we are tied to tonight has a gazebo nearby. Surrounding the gazebo is a brick walkway. Whoever was responsible for building the gazebo must have sold “memory bricks” to help fund it. Most people put “In honor of...” or the family name.
Someone here has a sense of humor... or perhaps this brick was purchased by an alien?
It's a line from my favorite movie as a kid. If you guessed The Day the Earth Stood Still, give yourself 50 bonus points.
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