Draining The Canal

To prepare for the heavy rains expected from Tropical Storm Henri, the powers that be decided it would be best to raise the lock dams on the Erie Canal and lower the water level to prevent flooding. Boaters and home owners were warned and today they started draining the canal. This doesn't happen often, so we knew we had to go see what was happening despite the ominous looking storm clouds. We stopped at Lock 8 first, where we could see that the locks was closed and the dams were open with a swift current going downstream. 

The water level was starting to drop and from the looks of the high water line on the shore, it had gone down about 6 feet. I had read that the goal was to temporarily get the level down to almost what it is during the unnavigable winter months.  

Next we went to Lock 9 in Rotterdam Junction and the scene there was much more dynamic. The dams were completely open there also, but the water was really racing! No one would be able to maneuver in this current that Dave said looked to be flowing at about 10 knots.

Docks on shore were high and dry and the water was even lower than at Lock 8. We were surprised to see that there were two boats that had taken refuge in the closed lock. A smart idea, but I bet they will be stuck there for at least several days.

Then once they close the dams and get the water depth back to normal, it will be a challenge for boaters to avoid all the debris that is floating down. This is just a few of the many logs and pieces of wood we saw floating...

As we headed back east towards the darkening skies, the rain began and it has been off and on downpours since then. Now we will wait to see just how much rain we get. We will also go check out the Flight of 5 locks near Waterford, where boats are probably hanging out between the flood gates that are most likely closed, giving them a safe haven.

Antique Outboards

We just returned from the annual Antique Outboard Motor Swap Meet held at the Wildlife Sports & Educational Museum in Vail Mills. This is not a huge show, like the Schroon Lake Wet Meet, but still a nice event put on by the Mohawk Hudson Chapter of the Antique Outboard Motor Club. Some of the boats and outboards were just on display, but others were up for sale. 

We watched as these Water Witches were being unloaded from the back of a pick up truck and immediately bought by another participant...all three for $200. 

The middle engine was a 1918!

Cute Sea King...

Dave has one similar to this 1924 Elto. The skeg is hollow and water goes up to cool the engine.

Two classic beauties...

This polished aluminum beauty is a Mercury KH7-H Hurricane. The boat was built by the owner as a reproduction of one he owned as a teenager.

Three small outboards I would like to have, including their very cool stands...

That's a lot of Johnsons!

Jim Rulison displayed his rare 1962 Italian made Bundy outboard. This is the same company that makes Lambretta scooters.

We didn't go home with anything this time, but there's another show in a week. 😉

Doing The Split

An increasing south wind was predicted for yesterday, so we headed to the rocky beach near Essex, NY on Lake Champlain, to kayak to Split Rock Point. We had to drag the yaks down a small embankment and through the tunnel we discovered last summer. This time a creek was running through it (this is last year's photo).

Once on the water, we were in the lee the whole way, since this bay is huge and protected from the south wind. Here is Split Rock Point looking out from the inside...

This is from the main lake looking back into the bay...

We ventured a little way south and Dave found this really neat cave. 

We traded places and I looked out...

And then I looked up to see the sky through a small hole in the roof of the cave...

The cave was right below the navigational marker.

Of course with the osprey nest in the marker, it is questionable as to whether it still is in service.

The original light was a lighthouse that I believe is now privately owned. What a cool place to live.

The geology is really interesting in this area, with all sorts of waterlines and fossils. I am not sure what this was, but perhaps it's a petrified tree root.

More striations and bright orange moss...

Holes galore, below the high water line. They must really be noisy when the water is higher.

Some wild berries ripening up for the picking...if you can reach them high up on the bluff's ledge.

We also discovered this washout between two rocky areas. Maybe this is how Spilt Rock came to be as the dirt was worn away, leaving a big gap.

The whole shoreline is pretty inaccessible, but Dave found a rock to leave his kayak on and take a quick swim. The water here is usually colder than the rest of the lake because of the rocks and deep water, but not this time. Lake Champlain is advertised to be76 degrees in Burlington, VT, which is as warm as it gets. We zoomed back to where we launched the kayaks in the wind that had built to 15 mph, which luckily was with us this time. It was another annual rite of passage completed.

Ti Classics

What a treat to be in town to attend the annual Ticonderoga Car Show. Normally we are in the Thousand Islands during this event, and we haven't attended since 2008, when we actually had our 39' Plymouth entered in the judging. 

The show officially began when this hook and ladder firetruck raised the American flag to the national anthem. What a fantastic backdrop of the La Chute waterfall.

Then it was time to walk and admire so many vehicles in this picturesque setting, not only with the waterfall, but also a covered bridge. This Florida Highway Patrol car was totally original.

Trifecta including the scooter...

Our neighbors' 2020 Corvette C8 wasn't a classic car but still really kewl and Dave has ridden in it! They must be pretty hardy cars since you would never know that Jeff hit a deer with it last week. The deer's face was on the windshield, but then it jumped up and ran into the woods with little damage to it or the car, although traumatizing for Jeff and JoAnn (she still sees that eye looking at her)!

Dave used to snow plow driveways with an orange Blazer just like this, back before we smartened up and headed south for the winters. I remember going with him one time and it was probably the start of my vertigo..."back and forth, back and forth." 😉

A couple of vans, one of which was complete with shag carpet lining the inside...

A few motorcycles and a pinstriping tent were on site, where they invited us to sit down and watch...

It's all in the details. The champagne bottle was actually a cigarette holder.

This is a 1967 Corvair with an Oldsmobile 425 V8 engine in the rear, driving the transaxle. Note the elaborate cooling system under the front hood.

This is a pristine 1956 Chrysler St. Regis, two door hardtop with a 354 Hemi engine. 

A 32 Ford High Boy Roadster. We loved the louvers and billet air cleaner...

A 1953 Willys Resto Mod...

A 1935 Ford Rumble Seat Coupe with a period correct 21 stud hotrod flathead engine...

It is always nice to see a wicked nice '55 Chevy Nomad.

A spectacular 1960 Chevy El Camino in period hotrod trim...

We think this a 1935 Chevrolet three window coupe with a beautiful beveled windshield.

A 1930 Chevy two door sedan with custom matching trailer...

This was a really creepy zombie Jeep Wrangler decked out for Halloween year round. 

We would love to have a sedan delivery/panel truck like this!

This is a very original 1970 Ford Mustang Boss 302, modded for SCCA racing. WOW!

Dave's favorite rod wasn't even in the show, but we parked next to it in the parking lot. It is a 1932 Ford Sedan with modern running gear. We had a nice talk with the owner/builder. 

My only question is, where are all these gorgeous vehicles hiding? Many came from neighboring counties and states, but we don't normally seem to see many of the others around town. I think that next year we need to bring the Plymouth back north for this awesome event. It would fit right in!

😎