Lock 11 Amsterdam, NY to Herkimer, NY

Day             12
Depart         Erie Canal Lock #11, Lock Wall, Amsterdam, NY 8:00 am
Arrive          Erie Canal-Herkimer, NY 4:00 pm
Distance         43 Miles
Cumulative   363 Miles

 NOTE - Double click on a picture for a larger view

Today was a great traveling day.  So much better than yesterday.  We went through locks 11 - 18 smoothly and without incidents.  Finally today, we had company in the lock.  Up until today, we were the only boat in every lock that we went through.  Even though it was a fairly long day, it didn't seem that long as the scenery and all the locks made for an interesting day. Another bonus night, we will be at a FREE dock again tonight.

I find it interesting that all the channel markers have a corresponding number on the side of the river or the canal.  All the green buoys are numbered on the side of the river/canal with a white sign with black numbers.  The red buoys are numbered with a red sign with black numbers.  See photo below.

    As we travel along the Mohawk River, on our left is the New York State thruway and on our right is a railway.

Trains on the right

Highway traffic on the left

Along the way we stopped at a small dock to view remains of the old Erie Canal Lock 33.

Bob with Tucker and Willow

Remains of old Erie Canal Lock 33

Lock 17 is impressive.  It is believed to be one of only two locks in North America where the entrance gate is lifted above the boater rather than swing open.  To enter the lock, you go under the door, better watch out, you will get wet!  This is the first lock that we finally had company in.  This is the highest lift on the canal, 40'.

I hope we don't get too wet!

We had a small pontoon boat in the lock for company.

Here we are going through a guard gate, plenty of clearance!