Wednesday - June 19

We left Scotia Landing at 8 and just a little jaunt today of 16 miles and 3 locks.   Started out dreary and cool, but then the sun popped out and was in and out, off and on!     Warmed up nicely in the 70's and we arrived in Amsterdam at 10.    After going thru Lock #8 (our first of the day), all this debris was piled up on shore - it's been something these past few days with so much crud especially outside and inside the locks.

Lots of debris in the canal from all the rain

We were here in 2011 tied up along the wall at Riverlink Park.   We remember the area where we walked and rode bikes.    This time we went in a different direction and came upon the beautiful pedestrian bridge park area connecting to the culinary district of Amsterdam - restaurants, etc., but some are no longer open.   Such a lovely area to walk, reflect, listen to the music (several speakers tucked in the landscaping).   This is just new since 2016.     We did an overnight stop here in 2017 and ate at River's Edge (by Catrina) but it's closed tonight for a private party.

 

Pretty flowers on the pedestrian bridge

 At the top of the hill sits the very historic former Amsterdam Armory built in 1805.   It was a B and B for 5 years and then sold in 2013 and after spending millions, opened in 2016 as the Amsterdam Castle Hotel with 23 rooms.    It is now a 5* hotel.

Amsterdam Castle Hotel

Trains, trains, so many trains along the Erie Canal......captured this pic of trains going in opposite directions here in Amsterdam,

Trains passing each other here in Amsterdam

Most of the Erie Canal has a 10 mph speed limit, but there are a few areas where 30 or even 45 mph is ok.   WOW.....that would be flying.    Catrina's best is 18-20 mph.

BLT's for lunch and then this afternoon I walked around Riverlink Park, across the pedestrian bridge and then over a walkway across railroad tracks.    High up, here's Catrina....

911 Memorial at Riverlink Park

Flag of 911 victims

2 Looper boats came in around 4......Rob and Jill from FL and Tom and Brenda from SC.

Also, James and Jackie who we've known for many years are cruising on their trimaran.   So good to see them.    They moved onto next lock, so it was a quick "Hi and Bye"!

Tonight we walked to Parillo's Armory Grill in the rain with Jill and Rob, Brenda and Tom.   We had sooo much fun and great to meet these new Looper friends.    Dinner and Chianti were excellent.    And nice to walk back with no rain although more is coming.....

Rob, Pat, Tom

Mark, Jill, Brenda

Walking back to our boats, this awesome picture from the pedestrian bridge

Incredible cloud formation over the canal

Parade of boats...

"Kissed Some Frogs: (Brenda and Tom)

Catrina

"Nautilus" (Jill and Rob)