(Yesterday) The 26th was our first real day in the canal, and it was filled with “oohs” and “ahhhs”. We wanted to take this route because we figured it would really take us through small town America, and so far it hasn’t disappointed! As we motor along, we pass tiny towns, corn fields, apple orchards and small houses dotting the shore. Every so often we need to call a bridge operator for a lift, but otherwise it’s all about keeping the boat in the middle of the waterway and enjoying the scenery.
We transited our first two locks in Lockport, and met the kind lock masters there. John took me up to the gas station up the way in his Subaru to get a 5 gallon can of diesel. Thanks John! All in all the locks were pretty easy, but word on the street is they get harder when the water level is rising vs. falling…
As we motored past Gasport (ironically named) we saw a tiny little “Yacht Club”-slash-marina and asked if they had diesel. Craig, the operator, responded, “Well, I can get ya some!”. Sure enough I popped in his truck, we zipped up to the gas station and got another 20 gallons (and a 30 rack of beer). This top up, plus the jerry can from Lockport and we were at a full tank. See how easy that is?? Man, people are so friendly!
Our day ended at Holley, New York – a small town of 1500 people with a little square, diner, grocery store, and pizza joint. We tied to really nice docks with free power, water, bathrooms, and showers, and had a nice relaxing night.
