The Adventures of Monk's Vineyard - The Great Loop and Beyond: July 1, Day 18

Woke up early this morning to fog. Linda took an early morning walk, checked out the area and took a few pictures.

After a breakfast of Karen’s empanadas, shared with Sterling and Judy on Sterling Lady (note to Karen … they loved the empanadas) we headed out at 8:30 a.m. Fog had cleared and it promised to be an okay day .. a threat of showers and thunderstorms, but we are getting used to that.

When we approached Lock 7 we were told we could enter, but wouldn’t be able to exit. Seriously, we were “locked in”. There was a barge up river that was offloading some kind of heavy equipment and wouldn’t be through for a few hours. The lockmaster was great, even brought us coffee while we were waiting. After a bit, they let us out, but told us to go to a floating dock upriver and wait for the barge to clear. They figured it would be a few hours. When we got to the dock, Sterling Lady was there.

We all walked in to town to do a little exploring. Found a path that originally was the old Champlain Canal. Also met up with Fred (Tug44.org on AGLCA). He is a dedicated boat and canal historian who was full of information concerning the local area. After a delightful lunch he took us back to our boat, as the lock master had informed us (Gerry has his portable VHF with him) that we could proceed up the canal.

We traveled through the next couple of locks ending up at the free dock just below Lock 12. Sterling Lady was docked right in front of us. As we were tying off the lines, they appeared out of a van. They had met their friends (Joe and Dolly … previous Loopers who are now doing the motor home thing).

We all met up at the Legion Club and then went out to dinner at a place recommended by someone in the Legion Club. Can’t remember the name, but it actually was okay food. It was right across from Finch and Chubbs.

While at the restaurant we noticed Ann and Ralph’s boat (Harmonie II) across the canal at Lock 12 (it also started to rain again). They were eating at Finch and Chubb’s. Seems they had transmission problems and were waiting for a part. It was also Ann’s birthday so we went across the canal and joined them for a drink and dessert.

A very full and fun day.

Dug canal section of Champlain Canal. We named it the Guiding Light as it appeared to be lit down the middle all the way to the end.

Old bridge .... more than 100 years old

Train schedule at the train station ..... very uncomputerized

Up the river with a view of mountains ... beautiful

Lock from the Old Champlain Canal

Signage at the old lock

Old barn in river .... now that is really waterfront property.

This is the equipment that was on the barge and the reason we were delayed at Lock 7

Lock 7 grounds/garden

Gerry and the lockmaster .... the one that brought us coffee

All around lockmaster. He said he was a lockmaster, gardener and plumber. He told me he liked the gardening portion the best. He really was giving it is "all".