The Erie Canal Adventures of
the
Sterling Lady
On a Sunday, there is only one bar in Lockport, but it proved to be cheap drinks and neat signage.
8/1/2011
Dam, a new month already!!! We we the only boat on the Erie this am, on our westward trek. The waters were GLASS!
Considering this canal was built by the technology of the 1800's, it is quite impressive.
very nice. Here's some more shots along the canal this morning...
Sorry, couldn't help myself, so many good vista's , so little time.
Nearing Tonawanda New York.
Tonawanda! free docks everywhere (well not exactly free, $20 a nite if the dockmaster catches you)
The North Docks put you in the center of all the action.
Tonawana seemed to be a pretty prosperous town.
If you go to the Irish Pub downtown, you will probably meet Pat and his beer guzzling dog, "mocha"
The Elks club is huge, and haunted, but the drinks are cheap.
See if you can guess where we went the next day??
I've seen Niagara Falls in many movies, but it does not compare to being there in person, totally incredible!!
The drop off. That's Canada on the other side.
We did the Maid of the Mist , and it was really great!
looking back at  the American Side Falls from the Maid of the Mist. It was a great fun wet ride.
The Next evening, there was a free concert, right by the boat. The band was called the BBC band, a Beatles tribute band, and they really sounded like the Beatles.
This morning finds the Lady East bound, back across the Erie Canal. I have to warn you, if you ever cruise the Erie, It will spoil you. I haven't felt a wave in weeks!
Waiting for a lock opening at Lockport, under one of the world's widest bridges.
At Middle Port, we took the free dock, and walked across the bridge to the 100 ft levy.
Looking down at the creek from on top the levy, you can get a sense of how high it is as this boater passes by.
We found a hidden waterfall , on the down side of the Levy.
Erie Canal on the right, creek bed with waterfall on the left, 100 ft, down.
From our dock, looking across the basin at the Levy.
After our obligatory visit to the American Legion, we stopped at the car show , and then home. I know I am getting old, I have personally owned some of the Antique cars!!
The next mid morning, we crossed over the road that goes UNDER the Erie Canal. Locals told us water drips from the walls and ceiling.
Wow, another perfect boating day!
Tonite the Lady Sleeps at Brockport.
The Brockport Welcome Center, at the docks, has this Artsy Fartsy thing, what ever it is.
Someone got caught feeding the duckies again!
The SToneyard bar is below sea level ( well, the level of the canal anywayz)
The town seemed prosperous.
For the Rest of us!!
We are again cruisng on the side of a hill. Those rooftiops we are looking down on are 3 story apartment buildings.
The Village of Pittsford, N.Y.
The free docks were in a park like setting, on the city side.
This is Hungries, located about one block south of the free docks. I tell you this for two good reasons.
Reason 1. They have great sausages, hot dogs, and pizza, to go and .....
Reason # 2, this is THirsty's, which is the ONLY bar in town on this side of the river, the city side, and as you can see it has no Sighs of any kind.
You have to find Hungries to find Thirsty's which is right next door.
This is the sign that was to go on the outside of the building  for Thirsty's. It is now located in side the bar on the wall. The City doesn't like bars. They can't even have neon signs in the windows.
This misty moring we by passed Fairport, and are headed to Palmyra N.Y.
Palmyra is a near perfect stop. Free dock, water (they even provide you with a garden hose), electric, pump out , showers, right downtown, a good stop.
Palmyra is a pretty good sized town.
The Local county fair , a 4H fair was going on. IT was my first time ever seeing these animals up close.   They are Smelly and big!
On the walk "home" (the boat) we found an American Legion. OF course we stopped in for refreshments. I am a member of  the American Legion, The Elks, and the Moose clubs. Great places to go in small towns.
The naturally, we had to stop here , to get a t shirt.
The next AM we awoke to rain.
There is absolutely noting that can be as boring as sitting on the boat in the rain! except maybe the laundromat.