Spencerport to Lockport, NY

A typical Wisconsin Farm in Upstate NY

The weather was very warm, sunny and windy today. We tracked a good sized storm out from Detroit across Lake Erie then it went south and when it reached shore became a bigger storm. When progress is somewhat controlled by the weather we pay attention. Very quiet today, we did not see any parades, carnivals or gatherings; a few people in their pools but no big parties. I guess that is because the Holiday is in the middle of the week. Carol said it was 92 in Racine by 9:30 this morning and the parade was sparcely attended. It is about 90 here now at 5:00 PM and I hope it cools off by bed time.

This Lockport Dock is a bit of a disappointment and there are no reliable facilities any further west until Buffalo, we are told the Tonawanda Docks will be packed and noisy so we decided to stay on the east side of stair climb locks 34 & 35.

Lift Bridge Raised

Lift Bridge at Rest

We traversed 14 lift bridges today and each bridge tender called the next to let them know we were coming. That is very helpful since most bridge tenders manage two bridges, some as much as 5 miles apart. They do an excellent job at moving back and forth to let us through, most are quite knowledgeable and very friendly. We are very surprised at the lack of boat traffic on the canal but generally pleased with the facilities.

Things I learned today, the boat backs basically straight with a bit of pull to starboard. So I learned that if I position the boat in the direction I wish to travel in reverse with the bow thruster I can control the backing. Normally, with an outboard or stern drive you position the prop in the required direction of travel and select reverse. But the steering wheel has little effect on this boat, it backs straight regardless of the rudder position. Kind of like the way my dad taught me to parallel park, position the car at a 45 degree angle to the curb, back slowly and move the bow thruster to bring the front of the car(boat) to the dock(curb). Easy once you figure it out, scary before that.

Nice older homes along the canal