June 8 - (Monday) De-rigging and Our First Lock

Here we are at Waterford, and what a hospitable place this is!  The guide book said they offered 300 feet of docking, showers, and a quick walk to town for every conceivable amenity, but what it didn’t say is that docking is free, (small charge for electricity) as are all the offered facilities, and the volunteers explain everything you need to know.  Like where to get the best food at the best price, and that you can ask the supermarket to unlock their carts so you can bring the whole cart right back to the dock.  (Presumably volunteers take them back to Hannafords.  Yes.  Hannafords.)

Strong Southerly winds had howled through our rigging all night at Castleton-on-Hudson and we waited a bit in the morning, hoping they would abate, but they showed no inclination.  We gassed up at the local marina, and topped off our water and ice before heading out.  Because they had a rather steep charge for do-it-yourself demasting, we opted not to do it there, intending to find a quiet cove somewhere to take care getting our mast down.  When we found ourselves in Albany harbor facing a fixed bridge with only 24 foot clearance, we had to stop in a tug-and-barge turning basin to get our 31 foot mast down.  Dan had already set up a system to do this, and it worked pretty well, but it was a little nerve-wracking to make sure we got it done before a tug and barge came along to use the basin.  

Sails stowed, mast down, rigging all lashed down, we hauled anchor and continued upriver through downtown Albany, under the I-90 bridge, through Troy and to our first lock.  This is known as the Federal lock, the only one here operated by the Army Corps of Engineers.  We had to ask what to do, since this was our first lock, but the operator was very friendly and let us know every step of the way what we needed to do.  Once through the lock we were only a short ways from Waterford, where we joined about eight other boats and tied up at the dock.  We were greeted by Mary Jane, who directed us to Don & Paul’s restaurant in town where we had great hamburgers, fries, and dessert for under $11.  Promised heavy rains came as we ate, but we walked to Hannafords anyway and provisioned with fresh produce and a steak for tomorrow’s dinner.  We are only feet away from the second lock.  Looking forward to being on the Erie Canal tomorrow!