Day #342 - Little Falls, NY
July 8th, 2009This morning we woke to what looks like ice flows/glaciers going by the boat.
Glad to report they were only piles of foam.
Today we traveled a total of forty miles and worked through seven more locks. It only rained on us twice while we were locking through. Each lock seems to have its own piece of history.
The scenery was very lush green and hilly. There were large farms in the distance.
This is someone’s little piece of paradise. Note the train running by in the background and the fishing boat tied up at their dock.
Lots and lots of train traffic in this area. They were running all night and ran alongside the canal many times today. I particularly was interested in seeing all of the graffiti on the side of the box cars. Such talent!
We passed by what used to be the headquarters of Beech-Nut in Canajoharie, NY. They have since relocated.
Before entering our last lock of the day, Lock 17, we passed under this flood gate. They use it to control the water levels in flood stage.
Salvage Crew cleared it, but not by much. It appears that it has not been used in some time as a garden is growing inside of it.
Lock 17 looms ahead. It is the highest lift lock on the Erie Canal (40 feet) and it is one of only two locks in North America where the entrance gate is lifted above the boater.
And so we hang on to our wet, soggy lines as they lift us up forty feet to the other side.
The locks that we have traveled through in the last two days have raised us up a total of 348 feet. Wow!
Welcome to Little Falls, NY…
and we are glad to be here.
