As promised in the last post, we want to share our experience in Troy, NY. This is certainly one of the most beautiful cities we have ever visited! The architecture is amazing, and the city was clean, bright, vibrant, and friendly. I would consider this to be a must stop location when transiting the Hudson River!
The pictures can speak for themselves…
If you are a fan of the new HBO series, ‘The Gilded Age’, you probably recognize some of these buildings, filming for the first season began May 2021. Additionally, Troy has been the filming location for the following movies:
- The Gilded Age (2022– ) TV-MA | 81 min | Drama. ...
- Scent of a Woman (1992) R | 156 min | Drama. ...
- The Age of Innocence (1993) ...
- Motherless Brooklyn (2019) ...
- The Time Machine (2002) ...
- Life Like (2019) ...
- Ironweed (1987) ...
- The Emperor's Club (2002)
We had the pleasure of meeting the mayor, Patrick Madden, and his entourage. We just happened to be the only boat at the marina at the time of the dedication/ribbon cutting ceremony for the new marina. Hurricane Irene caused considerable destruction to downtown Troy in 2011. This might seem strange when the city is 130 miles from the ocean, but we were shocked to find this area still has a 4-5 foot tidal range despite the distance from the ocean. Over the past 10 years the city has taken on a riverfront revitalization project, which included a new sea wall, a riverfront park, and the new marina. They enjoyed hearing a few ‘Right Hand Life’ stories!
Troy is where we left the boat so we could fly to Atlanta to celebrate Gage’s high school graduation, and farewell to the Navy
Weekend trips for family celebrations are an essential part of making this lifestyle sustainable. We love spending time with our grandchildren!
But…we are always happy to get back onboard, and continue the journey…
Central New York is beautiful.
As soon as we left the dock at Troy, we entered the canal/lock system. The first lock (E1) is actually on the Hudson River, and once we were through we had to turn left at Waterford to enter the Erie Canal where we passed through 22 more locks before turning onto the Oswego River.
We were traveling west bound, so most of these locks were raising us up. It was quite a surprise when we reached lock E21, and it took us down 25 feet. I guess we made it over a ridge, and didn’t even notice.
Some of the locks were very close together. This picture was taken from either E4 or E5. Once the water level reaches the brown stain line on the yellow gate, those doors will open, and we will proceed directly into the next lock where the gates are already open. However, we will not actually enter the next lock until that red light turns green.
When the lock is designed to lift 25+ feet, the water inside become quite turbulent when they open the valves.
Night time view of a dam spillway while tied to the lock wall on the downriver side.
This was a type of lock we had never seen before. The gate was like a guillotine, which simultaneously offered a level of terror, and a dose of OCD shivers of disgust, as the dirty lock water rained down on our heads as we passed underneath…yuck! I am giving negative points to the designers here.
And…many of the locks only have rope lines to hold on to during the rise/lower process. This is Keith’s view from the top deck at the stern of the boat. I am holding onto a line at the bow. Let me just say that this method of holding a 60,000 lb boat still while turbulent water boils in from below is another example of very poor design!
At the end of a long day of locking, we are looking for a peaceful place to tie up for the evening. Option #1 is not looking very peaceful.
We continued 2.3 miles to option #2…yippeeee! We have the whole wall to ourselves. Most locks along this canal close at 5:00, so anyone can tie to the wall for free overnight. I don’t want to sound antisocial, but we have no desire to raft up three boats deep and climb across the boats of strangers to get on shore when this is so easy.
Not only was this spot peaceful and beautiful, but…
And…There was an amazing walking trail running right along the canal, only a few feet from the boat.
We have had to lower our mast (which holds our radar), as well as our antennas to make it under the low bridges. Our charts say the lowest bridge clearance, in this area, is 20 feet. Keith has measured from our solar panels to the water, and determined our highest point is 18’ 8” above the water. That doesn’t leave a lot of clearance, so I am frequently holding my breath until we are clear.
The canal tugs are adorable! These guys might not agree with my choice of descriptor.
Many towns along the way offer free docks for 48 hours. It has been incredibly convenient to simply tie up for the night, and not worry about anchoring. The free dock walls also allow easy access to town amenities.
Date night at the dirt track in Brewerton, NY…when in Rome (there is a Rome, NY 30 miles away)…
Luckily, they gave out free ear plugs! The cars were so loud you could feel the rumble in your chest as they went past. I loved the way they all came up on three wheels (and sometimes two) as they slid around this curve.
