The Saga Continues

Marg surveying the scene from the
Lock house... in the rain.

Alize sandwiched between the tugs

at Lock 3

We no more than dried out from Irene and along comes Lee. The lock operator at Lock 7 advised us that we had to evacuate... again... because the rains that we coming would flood the Mohawk ... again... and the surge would send us over the lock wall. So we packed up and headed down river, escorted by the tug Waterford, for the 7 mile trip to Lock 3. Our new home is in the middle of the "flight", 5 locks that stairstep us down to Waterford and the Hudson River. Once we go through locks 3 and 2 we only have to negotiate the Federal Lock (lock 1) and we can resume our trip down the Hudson and beyond. The problem is the Federal Lock. It sustained significant damage and is currently filled with debris from the Mohawk and Champlaign Rivers. No boats are allowed to procede until the Federal Lock reopens because there is nowhere to go after exiting Lock 2. All the marinas were destroyed during the floods. When we arrived here on Tuesday, we were told that the Federal Lock would open on Friday. On Thursday we were told it would open on Monday. On Friday we were told it would open on Weds. We'll see. In the meantime, the canal corporation is providing us with fresh water, electricity, coffee and some transportation.

Speaking of transportation, some of the boats here at Lock 3 have been here a couple of weeks and provisions are running low for all of us. The canal corp provided a bus yesterday to take us to the grocery store. When the bus arrived, it was a senior citizen's transport bus. Oh, the humiliation. The nearest casino is only 1/2 an hour away and the driver said he takes seniors there on Tuesdays. It's a thought.

Not all boring. This drydock facility
can handle boats up to 400' long.

This is what is left of the Waterford
Visitor's Center looking back to Lock 2

There are about twenty boats here at Lock 3. One of the fellows decided to create the Lock 3 Yacht Club. The T shirts arrived yesterday. Marg and I haven't gotten ours yet but they will be a cherished remembrance of our stay here.

So, signing off from Stalag 3, until next time. Happy Birthday Dana. Wish we could be there with you.