Day 17 Scotia NY to Canajoharie NY Tuesday June 5, 2018

Day 17 Scotia NY to Canajoharie NY Tuesday June 5, 2018

It was windy last night and about 3:00 PM Moon and Stars. But broken clouds at 6:00 and 55 degrees. Light rain on and off.

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The locks open at 7:00 so we wanted to get underway and make some distance because there didn't look like any real interesting spots to stop before Canajoharie. And for those that know us, a further enticing fact to make us push the extra mile, the dock space is free. So we departed around 7:30 and traveled until around 2:30. We made about 40 miles which is a rather long distance on the canal as the locks slow you down - add about 30 minutes per lock. And we wanted to travel at around 8mph (yes for my boating friends I had to set the GPS to statue miles as that is what the river mileage is in) to enjoy the ride and the scenery.

It was cool and the rain made it chilly at times. We were some glad for the flybridge enclosure. Many boats don't have them - I wouldn't be without mine.

Like yesterday, the grey day made it cool but we both agreed the grey light made the colors seem more vivid. And since the rain was really showers and not very often, it was a fine day to travel.

The canal is still using the Mohawk River as the main waterway and will be this way for the next day or so. The original Erie Canal was dug separate from the river and it was there that the images I have of animal pulled barges come from. The invention of self powered barges changed that and the canal was rebuild to work as it does for us today. I would encourage you to look at some of the history (like this link) of the canal.

Well time for some photos. eh? (That "eh" is for my Canadian relatives)

The river is really a beautiful ride. Most of the the shore line features trees right down to the river bank.

It even has a rail line along it that, given my railroad background, made me smile as a train passed by rather frequently.

Add for today's first "I Spy", how many water fowl do you see?

Add for extra points, what kind are they?

Mallards are beautiful ducks

Well, strangely I just happened to look at the knotmeter and noticed that we are 500 miles from home. I think there is the making of a song - or did someone beat me to it. Oh yeah I guess they did

And near the end of today's travels we met up with a sailboat with the name "No Worries" that I hope continues as a pattern for us as well through our trip.

And for today's "Blues Clues" can you figure out what is in each of these railroad cars?

First, it is something that most of us use everyday, second it can take us to school if we miss the bus (or work for my non-retired friends - sorry couldn't resist), and it has four tires!

Good Job - that's right. Each of these special rail cars is filled with automobiles coming from the factory. Each rail car has tree levels in them and they have connection ramps between the rail cars. The automobiles are driven in one end until each level of whole train is full. The are unloaded by driving them off the other end. The rail cars are called Auto Racks

And the final "I Spy" is especially for my Canadian relatives who should be reading the blog now - eh Bren? How many big Canadian Geese do you see? And how many little Canadian Geese do you see? Then how many are there all together? A lot you say? - that is correct. And why aren't they in Canada? Good question!!

And finally here are some photos from our walk around town after dinner. We plan to spend the day here to explore further and let the weather clear out.