Yippee!  The Erie Canal is open again!  Time to shake the dust off our engines and go west.  We will be going through 5 locks today.  Going UP all the way.

Leaving Amsterdam River Link Park

We didn’t leave too early since the first lock of the day was only a mile up the river.  The Locks open at 8am.  Plenty of time for our cup of coffee and a quick breakfast.

Lock 11 – doors closed and we are ready to go UP 12 feet

Between Lock 11 and Lock 12 – port side

Houses on the starboard side

Approaching Lock 12 – we are the only boat at this lock! – UP 11 feet

Spillway at Lock 12

Canal Tug Boat – great colors!

Another boat came up from behind to join us for the remaining of the day.  2 boats in the locks together.  Lots of room.  No shoving, pushing, or worry about hitting anyone.

Leaving Lock 13 – after going UP 11 feet – 2 boats this time in the lock

Highway along the Erie Canal – wonder if they know.

Everyone is gone already.  When the word gets out, everyone moves!  Nice looking free dock.

Canajoharie Riverfront Park – free dock

Gorgeous Tree on top of Lock 14 – UP 8 feet

Approaching Lock 15 – last one for the day – UP 8 feet

Is it possible for me to tire of the green?  All the different shades of green?  Looks just so alive!!

We arrived in early afternoon at the St. Johnsville Marina for one night.  A high wall meant that we could easily step off our boat onto dock with no trouble.

St. Johnsville, NY

They had a map near the campground that I thought was neat.  “You are here” along the Erie Canal.  Now we know we aren’t lost!!

Erie Canal Sign

We had time to relax before dinner.  We decided to stretch our legs and go into town for the world’s best cheese burgers and beer at Cosmos Bar and Grill.  The hamburger was excellent.  The beer, cold!  What a marvelous combination.

Across the Bar is the local bank.  I saw the Safety Deposit Vault carved into the door header and immediately thought of Harry Potter the the Gringott’s vaults at the Wizarding Bank of London.  I don’t know why.  Wayne just shook his head and took another swig of beer.  He knows I am a bit crazy.  Also tells me that fiction affects us all.

Vault – for all your special items

Maybe it was the pitcher of beer.  But these signs of Pharmacy and Funeral Home seem to be a funny combination.  See which sign is bigger.  hahaha  Is the pharmacy around the same corner as the funeral service?  Just saying….

Welcome Sign going into town