9 June, 2021. Free wall at Rome, NY

 

35 SM; three locks up and 5.7 hours

Cloudy, foggy and muggy.  We walked about two miles, then made ready to get underway.  Not too hungry this morning after the big pizza and pop last night.  Winds were light as we cast off the lines as other loopers gave us a push away from the dock.  Headed west at 0815.  Canal waters nearly flat smooth for a while, then light winds remainder of day except for one thunderstorm.  Wildlife has been noticeably absent for several days.  Normal Canadian geese with goslings and a mallard hen with chicks now and then but not much.  Did see a young buck along the water’s edge.  No turtles sunning on the logs?

 Three locks today; lifted a total of 57 feet.  We were the only boat in the last two locks.

Hills along the canal

Entering another lock

I had been watching two puffy clouds continue to build in size and height.  Thunderstorms were in the forecast.  Checking weather radar app, they were developing into a couple of clusters.  A special weather statement was issued for gusts, lightening, and heavy rain.  We remained about 8 miles east of the intended forecast track of north to south.  We slowed and continued to check the weather app and could tell intensity was decreasing and lightening had stopped.  We cruised through light to moderate rain for 30 minutes without any gusts.  Approaching Rome, NY; free docks are reported to be marginal, but other reviews indicated usable.  As the rain was ending we slowly approached and noted a 42 foot trawler was secured and there was just about 30 feet remaining of the free dock in front of the larger vessel.  As we eased our bow toward the dock, the 42 footer owner came out to assist with our lines—I think he just wanted to make sure we did not touch.  Nevertheless, current nil, winds nil, we secured along side at 1430.

We hiked to town for exercise and to look around.  1st up was Fort Stanwix. On the site called Oneida Carrying Place where Native Americans utilized the local rivers to travel between Lake Ontario and the Atlantic Ocean.  In time European explorers set up trading posts in the local area.  Finally, the Fort during revolutionary war period, occupied by patriots held off numerous sieges by the British in the late 1770s.   

Flag above Ft. Stanwix

 Next two memorial parks which were decorated with hundreds of flags.  Beautiful.

Flags along sidewalk

Veterans Memorial Park

We hoofed it back to Serenity on a warm and now, sunny afternoon.   Easy safe walking along decent sidewalks and paved trails.  Evening supper back aboard.  No body waked us, storms not so bad and winds  acceptable.  A very nice day

4295 SM traveled; 1781.1 hours hobbs.