Sunday, July 29, 2012

78°53.334’ W

42°52.927’ N

Erie Basin Marina

Buffalo, NY



Leaving Middleport



Old 5 step locks to right - replaced
with 2 on left



Today was a long day cruising! First we finished the Erie Canal and can cross it off our bucket list. We did it first west to east then east to west. The last two locks were spectacular as we were lifted 49 feet. I’ve had a special love affair with the canal since I read a book while in third grade. 



Entering lock 34



Cruising the canal



Barb and I stopped in North Tonawanda and had lunch before proceeding to the Black Rock Canal and passing through our last lock until we get to Illinois. The Black Rock Canal was our 103rd lock this year or our 340th lock since we started the loop in August of 2008. Considering when and how we got started, Barb is a pro in the confines of a lock!



Peace Bridge



At the end of a long day we had cruised 43 miles and had many bridges lifted with a handful of locks thrown in. We fueled in Buffalo prior to shutting down for the night.

Arriving at Erie Basin Marina

We had dinner on the water front before walking back to the boat. The weather is looking good for tomorrow so plan to leave early for a very long day on Lake Erie.



Entering Black Rock Lock