43°2′9″ N 74°51′57″ W

Aug 13 – Little Falls, NY

We left Amsterdam yesterday (Sunday) morning at 7:30 & headed towards Little Falls. We were still not sure of how far we would get because we had to pass through several more locks & they could go quickly or slow us down if there were other boats ahead of us using the locks too. As it turned out, we went through each lock with no delays.

Catherine & I were the lead boat today & Kim & Judy on board their boat “Trust Me Too” followed our “path”

We saw several eagles today & even saw one swoop down right in front of us & catch a fish in it’s talons.

Kim & Judy took the lead boat position as we entered the last lock for the day – & it was a “biggie” – lifting us 40 feet in one shot.

This lock was also very interesting because it’s lower end has a massive guillotine gate that rises straight up (rather that the swing gates at all of the other locks).

Entering the lock was like going through the massive fortress gates in the Lord of the rings movies. Thankfully the lock master gave us a gentle ride up & we were soon back in the sunlight.

We stopped for the day at a small community marina in Little Falls. The place is cooperatively run by the Town & the local Rotary Club. It is a great place to stop with really friendly hosts, very reasonable dock fees, super clean bathrooms & showers, a small laundry & a club room. It’s one of the nicest spots we’ve encountered on our entire trip from Jacksonville.

At the marina we met another couple, Robert & Mora who were traveling in the opposite direction (towards Florida) on a sailboat that they bought in Georgian Bay, Ontario!

Our goal for Monday is to make it to the entrance to Lake Oneida. Kim & Judy liked Little Falls so much that they decided to stay another day – so we bid them adieu & who knows, we may see them somewhere else along the way.

Cheers!