So today's forecast suggested a chance for thunderstorms. From the weather I saw, I wasn't convinced. But it is going to be hot and humid and the sky was full of cumulous clouds. So, do we head out and maybe tangle with some weather? Or do we figure $1 per foot per day is a pretty good deal to be tied solid to a dock here in Little Falls? Yeah, that's what we thought too. We were in the minority though. The boats that lined nearly every foot of wall last night were all gone by 0900. First Light and one boat that has been here since we got here are all that remain.
Any day that we are secured on a dock, Deb and I tend to head out on a long walk. Today was no exception. We started out walking the same trail that we did yesterday. It follows the river back down to the last lock we cleared on the way here, #17. Like yesterday it just so happened that we were there when three boats, some of which we have run across before, motored up to the lock. And, just like yesterday, we chatted with Lock Master Jamie while he did his thing. After letting a torrent of water out of the lock he lifted the guard gate to let the boats in. As the last in line cleared the gate he started letting the gate down even as the boats got settled in, port side to the wall. Gate closed and boats ready, he started the process of letting 5 million gallons of water into the well, lifting the boats a bit more than forty feet. It was quite a show.
Jamie, the lock master at Erie Canal Lock 17During this trip we have noticed something that came as a bit of a surprise. Those who work along this route to support the movement of boats have been treating us as if we are customers to be valued. Jamie, for example, was more than willing to answer my questions about the lock's operations. One the way here each Lock Master called ahead to the next lock in line, letting them know that we are coming so that the gates are likely to be open for us. We just motor in, grab some lines, and up we go.
In like manner, everyone working at each of the marinas we have stopped at have also been friendly and helpful. It is a noticeable difference from our experiences south of the Chesapeake Bay and, in particular, Florida. There is this general idea of "Southern Hospitality" vs Northern (New York) indifference and/or hostility. But our experience has been that “Southern Hospitality” only applies if you actually live in the South. If you are not from the “South”, hospitality is more of a hit or miss kind of thing and usually (but, to be fair, not always) a miss. “Northern indifference, on the other hand, has been missing altogether. Not once have we been ignored, misinformed, shrugged off, or told “sorry, can't help you.” I'll take "Northern indifference" to "Southern Hospitality" (Hostility?) any day of the week.
In any case, the plan from which to deviate is to start moving again tomorrow.
