Day 65 The Erie Canal

It's always fun to travel with other boats especially when you are doing something new. We left Waterford this morning with two other trawlers heading west on the Erie Canal. Within minutes, we started the lock system. We scrambled on the first one, trying to figure out the best method to navigate this challenge. Fortunately, the lockmaster gave us some tips and after going through 10 today, we are experts now. We have risen in elevation almost 300 feet on the Mohawk River which is part of the Erie Canal. We will continue to rise tomorrow. It is definitely a P90X workout hanging onto ropes as you and your boat go up anywhere from 16 to 40 feet. Ended our day on a city dock in Amsterdam. Hung out and shared NY pizza and beer with one of the boats we traveled with. Ann, John, Mark and Sandy are heading our way on their Grand Banks so we are traveling together again tomorrow. It still amazes us how many trains we see. Hundreds of them travel through these peaceful, lush mountains on a daily basis.   However, I must say the locks are a distraction from focusing on the scenery of this area. Hoping my hands and arms aren't aching too much tomorrow, we've got like 100+ to go!