Into the Canals

Thur, 9/21/06
Oswego, NY to Brewerton, NY (Syracuse)
6 hrs 30 mi 9 locks

We pulled out of Oswego about 9:30 AM and into the first of 8 locks in the Oswego Canal and 1 lock in the Erie Canal. The Oswego Canal connects Lake Ontario to the Erie Canal just north of Syracuse at Three Rivers.


The weather is overcast and threatening when we start out; but as the day progresses the clouds clear and it warms into the low 70's.

The New York Canal System is just great! Unlike the Welland Canal the New York system is small, natural, well kept, and the staff is very courteous and friendly.

Locking thru is easy and generally the lock is open and ready when you arrive, since each lock calls ahead and tells the next lock or bridge your coming.

It's really quite easy. You approch the lock

and the gates open and you enter the lock,

then grab a line that is hanging down from the wall,

the gate behind you closes, the lock gently fills (or drains) while you hold the boat next to the wall,

and when it's done the gates in front open

and you motor on out. It usually only takes 15 - 20 min, and your on your way.

Frequently there is a dam and/or power plant adjacent to the lock and it's important to be alert and remember to drive the boat or bad things can happen.

The canal is small and generally very isolated, giving the wonderful sense of peace and natural beauty.


We stopped briefly in Fulton, hoping to grab some lunch and a break; but the town wasn't even worth a picture so we headed on to Syracuse; arriving at the Brewerton Boat Yard around 4:00 PM.

Brewerton is a small town north of Syracuse on the edge of Lake Oneida.

After tying up and getting the boat settled in for the evening, I checked my cell phone messages, and damn if our friends Jim and Kim weren't stopping for the night in Syracuse on their way to Albany to meet their son. So they came out and picked us up and we went to dinner.


It's always amazing how things seem work out. The cruising adventure is great; but good friends are always a welcome addition.

That being said, tonight is Lois's last night on board. She has been good excellent crew; and somehow we got along most of the time for the last 6 days. I'm glad she was with me, and hope to do it again.