The Waterford Flight to Scotia

We'd been waiting for two days at Waterford for the Erie Canal to open. Word spread that the locks would open in the morning at 7:00 am so we were up, listening to channel 13 to see who would be first to lock through. The captain of the small sailboat Treasure of Pleasure called the Lock Master to request passage. Knot Busy, a Ranger Tug and the cabin cruiser Artist's Life, joined him. We photographed them going into the lock, then walked up to the top and photographed them coming out. As we saw them disappear into the distance, we decided we wanted to leave too.

Treasure of Pleasure entering Lock #2

Knot Busy next

Locking Through Waterford Video

View at the top of Lock #2

Beautiful Tree Lined Shore

Waving Farewell at Lock #2

Thumbs up - Locking through solo went well

Exiting Lock #2 Waterford Video

During the two days we sat at Waterford, we decided to buddy boat with Sue and Bob aboard Osimo. When we told them three boats had left, they agreed that we should prepare to set off on our journey into the Erie Canal immediately. 

The first section of the Erie Canal  is called the Waterford flight of five locks in a row, numbers 2-6. Generally, boats go through all five on the same day. Mystic entered Lock #2 first. The Riverboat, Idler, followed but passed in front of us to settle in. Osimo slipped in behind us. Once we left Lock #2, Idler passed and quickly moved out of sight, surprising us with his speed. The first five locks went well except for high turbulence during the initial filling of the chamber. During the early stages of filling, we had to wrestle with the ropes and fend off from the wall until our boats settled in for the ride up. By the end of the day we were bruised and sore. 

Our first destination was Scotia Landing. Mystic led the way in. The Mohawk River channel to Scotia is narrow and shallow, with only about 10 feet of water. Osimo waited while we got into our slip. Knot Busy was already at the dock. This part of the Mohawk River is a water ski training area. The ski jump was located just up river from us. 

Idler moving in front of Mystic in the Lock

Dave holding on while Osimo enters the lock

Dave and Sue holding on in the Lock

We see many waterfalls along the Canal

The Canal has rock cuts

Lots of wildlife along the shoreline

Snag boats a plenty, pulling logs from the Canal

Old traditional wooden boat

Scotia Landing Dock is located at Freedom Park. It is enormous and very popular with locals. Our waterway guide indicated the dock was free but a sign told us it cost $20 for dockage plus an additional $10 for electric. We filled out the paperwork then walked up to deposit our payment in the self-pay box. A small boy was climbing along the park wall and came up to where Dave was sitting. In a sweet, friendly, four year old voice he said, "Hello old man!" We all got a good laugh over that!

We took a walk through town and passed Jumpin Jack's, a drive in eatery next to the park. It was packed with a long snaking line of hungry patrons. Sue asked a man in the park if the food was good, he nodded in affirmation. On our way back to the docks we stopped for dinner and desert. The food was great! The line never got shorter but it moved surprisingly fast! We sat at picnic tables enjoying our dinner after a long first day on the Erie Canal. 

Mystic and Osimo at Scotia Docks

Scotia Library

Jumpin Jacks with Bob & Sue