ALBANY YACHT CLUB TO WATERFORD, NY

Day 8,
Sat June 11, 2011. L 65*  H 68*  Rain.
Dep.  Albany YC 10:37  Arr. Waterford Visitor Center 12:50  10.6m

We woke to heavy rain and thought we would have to spend the day in Albany.  Joe Henkel, Pat's cousin (and Godson) arrived for coffee at 7 AM and we had a great reunion.  We haven't seen each other in years, and it was just a delight catching up on families, careers, triumphs and, unfortunately tragedies.
The rain subsided around 10 AM and we decided to head for Waterford, a village next to the Erie Canal. Much to their credit, Waterford has set up a really nice Welcome Center for boaters where there is room for about 20 boats to tie up, FREE for 48 hrs. incl. electricity and water. It is staffed by experienced (read Senior) volunteers who really make you feel welcome. They have free wifi, computers, coffee, book exchange, showers and pumpouts. Boaters love it there as did we, and plan to stay for the full 48, as do we. The Village is just a short walk and compared to where we stayed in Rennselear, appears to be doing quite well. As you can see from the pics, the place was full, and everybody went into town to restock supplies. It is a great meeting place and we have met a variety of people. Behind us, a young (compared to us) man, Heinrich, from Hamburgh, Germany who sailed his 30' sailboat from Falmouth Eng. to the Bahamas then north to here. A wonderful couple who bought a sailboat in Wareham, MA and are taking it home to Duluth, MN! A couple from Hungary & England, another lovely retired couple from Astor, Eng. (Jeanne & Brian Orr, Spirit of Whitby) and of course people from all over the US. All with one thing in common, they all love the cruising life. In fact, we have met several people whose boat is their only home, and they cruise year round. They are also friendly and most helpful. Well, we got the groceries in today, and it's raining again. The one thing I love almost as much as a beautiful sunny day on the boat, is a rainy day on the boat.

WHICH WAY TO OSWEGO????

PAT IS SMILING BECAUSE WE MADE IT TO THE DOCK WITHOUT CRASHING
(Note how tight it is)

GLORY DAYS IN HER GLORY DAYS
AMONG OTHER LOOPERS
WATERFORD, NY

Sailboat waiting for the lock to open

THE BEGINNING OF THE ERIE CANAL

LINED UP AT "THE WALL"

GLORY DAYS & SPIRIT OF WHITBY (JEANNE & BRIAN ORR)
(Whitby is the birthplace of Capt. Cook as well as the boat's Admiral)