Congregating in Waterford, NY

Waterford, NY is the harbor town adjacent to Lock Two on the Erie canal. As such, it is a perfect congregating point for all the intrepid boaters just coming off or venturing on the Erie Canal.

The locals were very friendly and quick to regale us about the devastating effects of  Hurricane Irene on Waterford and other canal towns due to the tremendous rise in water level.

Hurricane Irene water-level line spray painted on town wall.

A more formal indication of how high the water actually rose due to flooding caused by Irene
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It is here that, after exchanging several emails, we finally met up with Rose and Dave, a couple we had met at Strictly Sailing in Chicago through our mutual Sailmaker, John Baxter,  of Doyle Sails. In typical cruiser fashion, Rose and Dave had met some more Bahama-bound friends along the way and we all congregated on “Grace” for a combination potluck/birthday party for Rose.

While we had all just met, and instant bond was formed as we were all cruiser newbies with the same ultimate destination. At the end of the evening, everyone exchanged "Cruiser Cards" which contain all our contact info, certain that we would all meet up again at some point in the near future.

A wondrous journey to all,
Pam