I last left you as the GRANDE MARINER entered Lake Ontario around 2PM on Tuesday, 10 September. Arrival at our next stop was just after midnight in Rochester, New York on the Genesee River. Departure on 11 September was scheduled for 12:30, and the optional tour was a trip to the George Eastman House. I spent many hours at the George Eastman House in May 2019, so I took a leisurely walk instead. Below you can see our ship docked on the west side of the river.

approaching the lake I found this sign. Obviously a suggestion for future explorations.

it is a lovely park along the Lake.

but time to get back underway for Oswego, New York – the Oswego River – and, The Oswego Canal. When I was exploring the Erie Canal in July I became interested in the Oswego Canal, and decided I must get there – so this was perfect. We arrived in Oswego, New York, on Lake Ontario, at about 6PM entering the river. (images in this post may be clicked for a larger size)

and passing Historic Fort Ontario

to pull up to the dock

here is looking back to the lake once we tied up

and night set it – this view is south, and Lock 8 (to the left) just under the lighted bridge.

 

I had read a great deal about Oswego’s history, and was anxious to see it and learn more. I elected the optional walking tour for $42, which sadly was not worth it – my only disappointment with this trip. A nice young lady, but a short walk to a house museum (I don’t need another house museum) and little history. There is so much there to learn about. What would be better would be a bus tour to get to see the architecture in the downtown, get into the fort, etc. etc. I still need to get back to explore Oswego, but, hey, I can do that once on the  518 mile Great Lakes Seaway Trail.

But, here are a few images on the “walking tour”

this map will give you an idea of the large area to explore – next time (you can click for a large image to read).

There is an old railroad bridge, now a trail, that crosses the river. Here is looking back north from the bridge at the lock and canal on the right, and river to the left.

after too short of a walk, learning very little from the young guide, we were brought to the Richardson-Bates Museum where a board member took over showing us the home. Nice, but you know I am always exploring such places – seeing the downtown architecture, fort, etc. would have been much better.

Here are two of the downstairs rooms, the study and a parlor

and in the study was one item I have yet to add to my collection – a two person stereopticon desk top viewer. Let me know if you have one —

people were just milling around in the house – so I left with some others, and I walked around the east side of the river, and up to the fort area. A fascinating place to learn about. Jewish refugees were housed here during WWII – the only such facility in the US.

BUT — it was time, and at Noon (forget lunch – although I would run and bring my sandwich topside) it was time to start down the Oswego River, first to Lock 8 – it was 12:08 PM.

two more shots of Lock 8 – and you will see the old railroad bridge that earlier I walked across.

Less than a half mile south is Lock 7

and turning around to look back at Lock 7 as we continued south

about 3/4 of a mile south is Lock 6

and, leaving Lock 6

arriving next (a tad over 3 miles south – I have a great book on the canals with maps and details) at Minetto, Lock 5 and the Minetto Hydroelectric Plant

a close up of Lock 5

now leaving Lock 5

and looking back at the dam (built in 1915)

I trust you are keeping track of the locks. Don’t panic, however, as there is no Lock 4. The original plans for the Barge Canal expansion called for a lock, but as work progressed the engineers realized that it would not be needed. Thus, next is Lock 3 in Fulton with a lift of 27 feet.

and exiting Lock 3

next to arrive at Lock 2, also in Fulton

what’s next? Leaving, of course

and, in a tad over 9 miles in Phoenix is Lock 1

with a lift of just over 10 feet, this is the small vehicle bridge that must be opened

entering Lock 1

DEAD END ???

We arrived about 5 PM where the Oswego River ends at the Erie Canal – the enlarged Barge Canal. Turn right is west to Buffalo, and a left turn takes you to Albany – we turned left

this sign confirmed all was well

an extremely peaceful water path

there is one lock (heading east) between the Oswego River and Oneida Lake – Lock E23 in Brewerton

once through the lock, tied up were these NY State Barge Canal work vessels. You cannot miss them – great paint scheme.

Interstate I-81 crosses the canal as you enter Oneida Lake

and, now for the transit across the 20.5 miles on Oneida Lake, beginning at about 6:32 PM.

we were almost across the lake when it got pretty dark at 8:24 PM

and about 9PM we tied up at a park in Sylvan Beach, too far to walk to finally see the little town.

night for now, will be getting up early again tomorrow so I do not miss anything on the ERIE CANAL Thank you for continuing with me on this journey, yours, RAY

 

WATER WANDERINGS 3-18 SEPTEMBER 2019
GREAT LAKES, WELLAND CANAL, OSWEGO CANAL,
ERIE CANAL, and HUDSON RIVER

Part 1 – Genesis
Part 2 – Chicago – arriving aboard the Grande Mariner
Part 3 – Underway to Wisconsin and Mackinac Island
Part 4 – Greenfield Village, Dearborn, Michigan
Part 5 – Port visits – Cleveland and Buffalo
Part 6 – Welland Canal – Canada
Part 7 – Rochester, NY and The Oswego Canal
Part 8 – The Erie Canal – LOCKS 22 to 11 – Heading East
Part 9 – The Erie Canal – LOCKS 11 to 1 – Heading East
Part 10 – The Hudson River – Troy South to NYC
Part 11 – NYC – and, Amtrak along the Hudson to Albany