Still In a Holding Pattern
22 May 2019
Allan Gray
When we awoke Monday morning it was raining again, the water level had gone down over the weekend but unfortunately it was back up an inch or two overnight. The long range forecast calls for warmer temperatures but also includes some rain most days. All I know is that if a guy named Noah pulls up in an ark we're all in trouble. In the meantime, it is hard to get any accurate information on a projected opening when Mother Nature is in control. So needless to say the rumour mill is going fill speed. However the first promising sign is the planned opening Wednesday of a few more locks on the Erie Canal which will allow boats to get to Amsterdam NY.
In the meantime we have continued exploring and enjoying the area. There is a beautiful island park that forms the south side of the harbour and it has a great walking trail network. The other day while walking the 2.5 mile perimeter trail we came across a a guy with a large viewing scope with an I phone connected to the eye piece. He invited us to watch a Mother Bald Eagle feeding her young chick from our vantage point across the river. The conservationists have been working hard to clean up the river and are ecstatic that there are 4 new eagle families in the area this spring.
The Welcome Center staff continues to take great care of us and ensure we have everything we need. Although the staff had a very busy weekend hosting the 2 day Canal Fest they still found time to treat us to a free BBQ lunch on Monday! If you have to be stuck, this is the place. The harbour wall has been full for a while but as new arrivals show up the canal staff allows them to moor between the first couple of locks in the Erie Canal. I'm guessing there must be 40 boats in the area now and the marinas downstream are full. Memorial Day weekend is fast approaching and for many people it is the unofficial opening of the boating season, the consensus is they will do everything possible to have the system open by then.
Today's picture is of a pair of eagles perched right across from Dagny.