In 1819 the Champlain Canal officially opened to traffic, starting on the southern end at Fort Edwards and ending in Whitehall NY. The numbering is from north to south.
Starting the Champlain canal system, lock 9 is the first to encounter heading north. Total raising of 16.5 feet. The canal system will raise Firebird a total of ~140 ft.
My granddaughter working the bow lines going thru the lock
Looking over from the lock you can see the spillway of the controlling dam. Without the dam, the lock wouldn't be possible. It is a little intimidating the first time you encounter this situation as you feel like one misstep and over the falls you go.
Ben had trouble with reception for his cell phone, was able to get some bars on his walk along the canal wall. You can see just how narrow the Champlain canal system is. That PVC rod on the bow is my early warning system for low bridges. I found out the hard way that the chart data on bridge clearance is not always correct.
That green bimini boat would race from each lock but would be held up until we arrived. The Lock Masters all call ahead identifying the boats to be expected.
The water levels were high in the champlain canal system, even so this barn doesn't look like it will last much longer. You could almost hear the groans of back pain as it struggles against gravity. Something that I am familiar with.
Granddaughter is now a pro at locking thru.
My son in law, is enjoying the adventure.
When the locks are filled or emptied, there is some turbulence which moves the boat around. Ropes are used to keep in position. Never tie them to the boat.
Another view from Firebird at the controlling dam as we rise in the lock.
Hold on to the rope, even if it has a spider on it.
A lot of water to lift us up.
This lock was the scariest for me as we encountered a lot of current that wanted us to follow the dam route.
Loca C5 in Saratoga NY
We stopped overnight at Schylerville and toured the town.
We proceeded on to the last lock on the Champlain canal system at Whitehall NY. They claim to be the birthplace of the American Navy which is preposterous as I come from Beverly MA the real birthplace. We found the town grasping to remain viable. The last supper market closed and things didn't look good for the town. Yet we were amazed at all the things that would make this town viable again.
Skene Manor is just one of those assets that is worth visiting:
Skene manor was built by Judge Joseph H. Potter. His son Rear Admiral William P. Potter served in the Spanish-American War; served on the USS Maine Court of Inquiry; and sailed with the Great White Fleet, a fleet of 16 new battleships sent around the world by President Theodore Roosevelt from December 16, 1907, to February 22, 1909. Judge Potter had a map room in Skene Manor which he tracked his son's journey. (Taken from the Chamber of Commerce web site)
The view from Skene Manor:
Whitehall offers a town wall with electricity for boaters.
Skene Manor overlooking the valley.
We enjoyed our tour of the Manor. But most of all we enjoyed the volunteers so obviously proud and enthusiastic about their work and devotion to the Manor. I can't say that I have met nicer people anywhere. We decided to have a ice cream in the dining room. The waitress was kind enough to snap this pic, a little shaky, but that is part of the charm.
A GDR monument canon tucked off the beaten path that would bring interested tourists.
While the shed is ok for the remains, note the weeds engulfing the whole exhibit
We stayed at the Whitehall marina, the manager let us use his Pick up. We noted the boat yard golf cart decal, which says it all.
We got a grat opportunity to spend some time with the Lock Master, he showed us how the whole operation worked. This is Lock 1 control system.
When the gates closed and water released, we saw fish trapped in the steel beams. The lock master stated that there were escape holes for them and the water would be rising soon if they couldn't find the holes.
Is it me or does the sign really mean Erie canal?
The stop and go lights are used to signal the boaters direction as to proceed or not.
Skene Manor and the canal front. The Marina and Eatery is closed.
We left Whitehall NY and proceeded thru the river connection to Ticonderoga. We will anchor just below the fort and row ashore.
Scenes from Ft Ticonderoga:
Firebird in harms way if those cannon could fire.
A great view.
The following are pictures from Burlington VT. We changed crews here my granddaughter and her dad left and my sister and friend joined me. My sister likes photography so many/most of the photos are hers all the way to Quebec City.
Judy's friend Pat, with her crew shirt, we took a free bus ride to the town from the docks in Air Conditioned comfort.
Some art (sic) photos by sis: Candy anyone?
Win a rain barrel contest in down town, a sample of the decorated submittals.
Not missing a commercial beat, Champie the Lake Champlain Sea Monster.
There are these flying monkeys on several buildings. Reminds me of OZ
If I look a little scraggly it is because I decided not to shave or cut my hair for the next 3 months.
Ice for the boat and drinks this evening?
Leaving Burlington for Canada with a new crew. We cruised for a while and decided to spend the night on the anchor at Valcour Island to give the new crew the experience. I didn't see much opportunity to anchor once into the Canadian canal system. The girls got into the swing of things quickly.
Our first test was getting thru customs/border security. I got permission to keep the boat in Canada until May 2014. I intend on leaving it here for the winter at Cape Breton.
Entering the Chambly Canal system.
Our first lock. All the locks are hand operated and the operator may also take lines and assist the boat crew.
We stopped for the night and enjoyed the local town (ST Jean). Here we are tied up to the public wharf, price is included in the canal pass.
It was extremely hot, so taking advantage of the shade, just like you would do with your car, except most times there aren't any trees where boats go.
Of course we have to get some bridges to open as there are none which I can fit under. Most bridges know we are coming and open at our approach.
We went to diner at the "Best Pizza" place in town. Turns out they serve much more than pizza, the meals were delicious.
Walking around town after the meal, we stumbled upon this park with many such sculptures (pic by Sis)
The next to last Lock before the St Lawrence was an overnight stop for us. We went to the local Fort Chambly did a little sight seeing. It was again very hot. From this fort several raids into the USA were launched during the various colonial fracases.
On one side of the Fort there is the Chambly rapids, which form a natural defense for an approach from the water. The display below talks to the local fish (Copper Redhorse) that migrate the rapids for spawning.
These kids heard the speaker that Firebird was coming down the canal, they waited to see it and became fans of this old boat.
Going down
Hold them lines Pat and Judy.
Boats waiting at the lock to go thru, That is Carried Away (the largest) and Esmeralda (lt is green), who are doing the same route as Firebird. We will cross paths and share times often on this trip.
This is the last series of locks on the Chambly/St Ors canal. It is a three stage lock which drops us down from one lock to the other until we get to lake height below. They have floating docks and the lock personnel will assist with the lines.
Finally at lake height and departing the lock system. We expect that this is the last lock we will encounter, not realizing there is a lock in Quebec City Old Port Marina we will have to pass.
Coming into and passing thru Sorel a major commercial port on the St Lawrence River, we didn't stop.
Is this ship aground?
From here we enter the St Lawrence.
