We stayed at
the Poughkeepsie Yacht Club April 30 through May 17. The sails and mast were
removed in preparation for our upcoming travels under low bridges, through locks,
and narrow canals. Thanks to help from
club members, the mast was safely stored in the club barn.
The sails are stored in Ernie Klopping’s workshop until our return. It was a helluva lot of work!! John and Paul spent two days sewing new heavy-duty zippers on the boat’s vinyl cockpit enclosure. The zippers were worn out after John’s 6000 mile loop trip around the USA -- and his sail-maker’s sewing machine helped get the job done. They also crafted a canvas closure in an attempt to keep Sadie, the wandering dog, on board. She had jumped off the boat and followed Juli’s scent along two docks, into the club, and down the basement stairs to the laundry where Juli was doing wash. (Dogs are not allowed inside the club – whoops!) We travel with two dogs Sadie is Juli’s dog (20lbs) a Cavachon (Cavalier King Charles Spaniel + Bichon Frise) and Skipper is John’s dog (60lbs) from the Poughkeepsie ASPCA he is a Lab Boxer ???? mix. Normally Sadie needs to be lifted on and off the boat while Skipper can leap on and off with ease.
We finally
left the Club on May 18 and made a short trip to Kingston. John wanted to stop there in remembrance of
his career as City Engineer. The stop
was costly, however, at $2/ft in the Kingston Municipal Marina. There was
another CSY parked nearby. It appeared to be the original layout as opposed to
Dutchess which John redesigned and upgraded over 8 years under a tent at PYC.
On May 19,
we cruised to Catskill and got a free slip at the Catskill Yacht Club under the
reciprocity agreement among members of the Mohawk Hudson Council of Yacht
Clubs. Juli and John had a good dinner of fish and chips at the Creekside
Restaurant located next door. Skipper and John spotted a beaver eating weeds along
the shore of the Catskill Creek.
On May 20,
we cruised to Waterford NY via Federal Lock #1 on the Hudson River where the
Erie and Champlain Canals begin. We
happened upon CANALFEST celebrating the 200th anniversary of the
Erie Canal. There were many vendors, music and food on the Village docks. It
was very crowded and festive with beautiful weather. We ate at a Greasy spoon
in the village and John and Paul returned for breakfast the next morning (Juli
declined). We stayed two nights on the free docks and spent our time walking
the dogs and enjoying the scenery.
On May 22, we
travelled on the Champlain Canal and passed thru Locks 1C, 2C, 3C, 4C, 5C, 6C
to Fort Edward. Juli learned how to secure the boat in the locks using the ropes
or pipes which are part of the lock; Paul was the teacher. We tied up on the
free wall in Fort Edward which includes free electric. Free is good. It was a dreary
day but Juli and John walked to Stewarts for ice cream after supper. We walked
the dogs in the rain- not pleasant to have wet dogs on board.
On May 23,
we sailed to Whitehall NY by going thru locks C7, C8, C9 and C11 (there is no
lock # 10 ????). We tied up on the free wall in Whitehall. Whitehall claims to
be the birthplace of the US Navy (Boston might have an issue with this designation)
because Benedict Arnold assembled his fleet here in preparation for the Battle
of Valcour Island. He lost the battle
but succeeded in delaying the British for a year which gave the States the
upper hand to win the war. Juli met Elizabeth, a volunteer with the Chamber of
Commerce. She graciously offered a ride to a nearby market for provisions. We
saw a statue of Sasquatch and Skipper growled at him.
On May 24,
we went thru the last lock of the Champlain Canal #C12 and motored on to
Chipman Point Marina near Orwell, VT. It has very old stone buildings still
occupied by the female owner. Paul took the loaner car and bought 2 beautiful
big steaks which he grilled outdoors – YUM! The weather report said we were to
get high winds in the afternoon of 50 to 60 mph. This delayed our planned
departure for Burlington. All the dogs here run loose so Skipper took his
freedom seriously and went to visit the neighbor’s chickens but did no harm.
Paul caught up with him and brought him back to the boat.
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