Technically Lock 1 is the official start of the New York Canal system and we passed through Lock 1 when we left Troy and before we arrived in Waterford. Lock 2 impressively sits at the west end of the Waterford City Docks. As a respectful and constant reminder of how far we have technically advanced in almost two hundred years is the structure of the original Waterford locks that has been saved and sits side by side to the current Lock 2.
The adventure truly starts upon leaving Waterford. Immediately the elevation begins with a set of five lift locks known as the Waterford Flight. We must pass through all five in one continuous trip. There is no place to stop in between as the five locks follow each other almost simultaneously. When we came through the Waterford Flight we were the only boat going in either direction and it was very exciting to approach each lock to have the massive steel doors open magically just for us. 
Then almost immediately upon setting in and attaching the Lolligag to the lock wall, we hear the unmistakable loud thunder-like rumble as the doors close and lock. Then the mini whirlpools of water quickly start to form as the water enters the lock to lift us anywhere from 33-35 feet each time.
Sometimes the lock doors leak...
Amsterdam
We could have stayed for free at the lock wall in Amsterdam but we opted to stay at River Link Park instead. Our reasoning was because a young couple recently became the operators of the dock and café and we wanted to support their spirit and enterprise. They could not have been friendlier or welcoming so the $32 per night that we spent in dock fees was money well spent.
The park at River Link is very well maintained, unusual with clever art designs/displays and very convenient for walking into the downtown area.
In walking to the downtown area, we noted the Professional Wrestler’s Hall of Fame which brought back all sorts of traumatic childhood issues for Captain Mark. Growing up in the Midwest, Captain Mark took great pride in a professional wrestler of his youth by the name of Cowboy Bob Ellis. He would never miss watching Cowboy Bob each Saturday on the 10” black & white television and knew in his heart that somehow they must be related. Sadly, Captain Mark was crushed when is parents informed him that even though he had an uncle named Bob Ellis, he was not related to Cowboy Bob Ellis.
Beautiful and stately homes remain as testament to the thriving carpet mills that once drove the economy of this area. Unfortunately, the mills have long since closed. After climbing a huge hill (small mountain) we found a waterfall in a small creek that leads to the canal.
Canajoharie
We continue to be impressed by the natural beauty in upstate New York. Our travel along the canal is peaceful and the scenery is some of nature’s best. Again today we will have multiple locks so this Deck Monkey will be quite busy.
We docked at the free city dock which is located within two blocks of downtown. Having arrived early in the day we had enough time to take a walk around town to scope out the area before most of the businesses closed for the day. 
The Beechnut Foods Plant is the primarily employer in town. Canajoharie is taking great pains and pride to maintain the original look of this canal town. Buildings have not been modernized so one gets an authentic feel of what this town looked like over a hundred years ago. 
Neither of us could remember when we last saw a stop light in the middle of an intersection like this one in downtown Canajoharie.
We did not have enough time to visit the Arkell Art Museum but plan to make time when we return next Spring. Utica
Between Canajoharie and Utica is one of the most unique locks that we have encountered thus far. This lock’s east door opens like a garage door by raising rather than opening inward or outward. This means that one can get wet when entering the lock from the dripping gate. Only two locks in North America have lock doors that open in the manner. The other lock is located on the Ottawa River in Canada and we will pass through that lock next year. Lock 17 is also the largest single step lock on the Erie Canal with a lift of 40 feet. It was a long day today as we made our way into Utica. We were very pleased and excited to see our friends from Mr G who greeted us and caught our lines. The Utica city dock is now maintained by Aqua Vino which makes sense since the dock is located immediately adjacent to this wonderful eatery.
Our 42nd wedding anniversary was officially celebrated on August 12th in Canajoharie but I convinced Captain Mark that we needed to celebrate with another anniversary dinner at Aqua Vino. We had joined the crew and guests of Mr G upon arriving in Utica for drinks and we found Aqua Vino to be one of the best restaurants that we have found this side of Tavern on the Green.
With an impressive wine list to choose from, the staff recommended an upstate New York Riesling by Vinifera Wine Cellars. This proved to be an excellent wine that we enjoyed very much for our second celebratory anniversary dinner.We were delighted to meet the crew from Tug Digby, a Nordic 37, which docked in the spot vacated by Mr G. Also while in Utica, our friends and fellow Loopers Lynn and Bob aboard Legrace passed us as they travel east on the Canal.
There is a grocery store in Utica which is about a mile from the dock. Normally a mile is not that far for us to walk but since the temperature was at least 93 degrees with a heat index of 209 degrees Fahrenheit, I thought I would melt before we got back to the boat. The weather has been rather comfortable for most of our journey this summer so I think that made the heat more difficult for me. So in order to escape the heat, I decided to spend the remainder of our time while in Utica comfortable with the air-conditioning inside the Lolligag catching up with blog entries. Waterford to Amsterdam
Hours on the water: 7.5
Nautical miles traveled: 32.8
Number of bridges to be opened: 0
Number of locks: 9
Next Destination: Canajoharie, NY
What we are listening to: Harry Potter & The Goblet of Fire by JK Rowling
Obligatory knitting report: Purple Lace Shawl for BFF Linda
Amsterdam to Canajoharie
Hours on the water: 3.5
Nautical miles traveled: 19.7
Number of bridges to be opened: 0
Number of locks: 3
Next Destination: Utica, NY
What we are listening to: Harry Potter & The Goblet of Fire by JK Rowling
Obligatory knitting report: Finished the Purple Lace Shawl for BFF Linda
Canajoharie to Utica
Hours on the water: 6.5
Nautical miles traveled: 34.9
Number of bridges to be opened: 0
Number of locks: 6
Next Destination: Brewerton, NY
What we are listening to: Harry Potter & The Goblet of Fire by JK Rowling
Obligatory knitting report: Finished Brown & White Alpaca socks for Captain Mark
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