Schnectedy to Canajoharie (locks 8-13)

We are "pros" now on the locks but we have many more to go!  Today we did locks 8-13 and pretty much, a lock is a lock and there isn't much to tell.  The river was pretty nice through here but the land, surrounding the river is fairly flat.  Very few houses to see, and we only passed a couple of boats.  It was kind of boring and the Activity Director started wondering if we should pull the boat and take another road trip.

Rexford Aquaduct 1842-1916

We did pass some ruins that made me think I was back in Italy.  Before there were locks, they connected the rivers (or by-passed waterfalls/rapids) with a system of aquaducts.  Typically the boats were towed by horses (mules, oxen) along the rivers.  And on these aquaducts there was a tow path across these stone archways.  Then, next to the towpath was a separate wooden trough on stone piles where the canal barges/boats were floated.

The other thing about this section of the river is that there is a freeway along one side and a very busy train track along the other.  It was so noisy!

We stopped at a lovely city park in Conjoharie where boaters are allowed to tie to the wall for free (no electric, no showers, but there are bathrooms).  Conjoharie is an Indian word meaning "pot that cleans itself".  Apparently there is a rock formation in the river or stream near here where it looks like the river is cleaning a pot?   Many locals were out walking the grassy park and sitting on swing/gliders to swatch the river pass by ((and it felt like we were on display).  Everyone was friendly and most stopped to talk.  The park not only had a highway on one side and the train on the other but there was a busy bridge between them.  A very noisy night was spent in Conajoharie.

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From the bridge