June 9, 2026
And now the fun begins!
Today was our official introduction to the Erie Canal—and to the fine art of lock navigation.
For anyone unfamiliar with locks, think of them as giant water elevators for boats. Several boats enter a large chamber, tie up along the wall, and then the gates close behind us. Water is either added or drained to raise or lower the boats to the level of the next section of waterway. Today, we were on the “up” escalator all day, steadily climbing our way west.
Each lock has its own personality. Some provide a weighted line to grab, while others have pipes or cables that require using our own line to secure the boat–this is my favorite but isn’t available very often. And just when you think you’ve got it all figured out, the rushing water can create swirls and currents that nudge the boat in every direction except the one you want. Let’s just say the locks do a good job of keeping captains and crew humble.
After successfully completing seven locks on our first day, we arrived at the Schenectady Yacht Club, feeling a little more experienced and a lot more appreciative of calm water. The evening’s reward was a potluck BBQ hosted by Skipper Jack, a member of the club and an America’s Great Loop Cruisers’ Association harbor host.
Six boats gathered for an evening of burgers, hot dogs, and great conversation. As a Gold Looper and lifelong Erie Canal resident, Jack shared stories about canal life, along with countless tips on places to visit, things to do, and hidden gems along the route. The local knowledge alone was worth the trip through all seven locks.
Unfortunately, I forgot to bring my phone, so I don’t have any photos of the gathering. I’ll see if I can track down some photos from one of the other loopers.
All in all, it was a memorable first day on the Erie Canal: seven locks conquered, new friends made, valuable local wisdom collected, and only a modest amount of boat wrangling required. Tomorrow, we’ll see what the canal has in store for us next.
