Last Stop in New York - Dunkirk

 

 

We have navigated into the 4th largest of the 5 Great Lakes - Lake Erie.  Its name comes from the Erie Tribe who lived along its southern shores.  For years, industries along the lake used it as a sewer system and it wasn't until the Clean Water Act was passed in the early 70's that real efforts were made to improve the health of the lake.  The blue green water is a testament to those efforts.  Ahh, but another and maybe an even larger reason for the health and clarity of the water lies with the zebra mussels an invasive species which are filter feeders that cleanse out pollutants.

 

 

This is our last stop in the state of New York.  Couldn't have picked a better place to stay than Dunkirk Yacht Club in Dunkirk.  Heading into the marina we had a pretty strong breeze which always gives us fits pulling into a slip.  A learned lesson early on in our adventure - if there is wind, we bow in.

 

 

 

Charming clubhouse.  The white curtain adds a nice touch.  

 

By the time we pulled into our slip we had 3 yacht club members there ready to grab the lines which was fabulous because we had a stiff breeze playing havoc with our bow and stern.  We joined a handful of members for docktails after we came back from exploring their town.  We asked them if they had to pull their docks out of the water in preparation for the cold winter months.  They don't because the water that comes from the NRG Dunkirk Operations, an electric company near the mouth of the entrance to their marina, is warm and keeps the water from freezing.  They worry because rumors have it that the company is going to close this plant location which would necessitate pulling the docks up for the winter.  Theirs is a small yacht club without a lot of financial depth.

 

 

 Spike Dailey's Irish Bar - talking about boats.

 

 

 

Ah, the Irish.  We are a happy breed.

 

 

 

 

Hmmm - funny!

Spike overlooked this Irish saying.  There are only three kinds of Irish men who can't understand women - young men, old men, and those of middle age.  

 

 

 

Corner buildings were popular during the late 1800's, early 1900's.

                  

Like the arched windows above.

 

 

First half of a block on Central street.

 

 

 

 Remainder of the block.

 

                              

St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church

 

 

Side view of church so you can appreciate the patterned slate roof.  A few open windows allowed a limited peak at the stained glass on the other side of the church.

 

 

I wonder if the "free wine" is working for them?  Maybe the Catholic church should start advertising "free wine" as well.

 

 

 

First United Presbyterian Church.

 

This is our last stop in New York - next stop Erie, Pennsylvania.

The Last Locks on the Erie Canal

We got an early morning start on the canal.  Isn't this a cute stop for the kids.  They can pretend to be pirates or Loopers!

 

 

                                  

          Almost like walking back in time - horse pulling a harness racing buggy.     

 

They use these areas to repair the locks doors and barges.

Lock ahead alert!

 

Approaching Locks E-34 and E-35.  These locks are "Siamese twins, where the upper door of Lock 34 is also the lower door of Lock 35. On the right is a set of 5 old locks from the previous canal, which are now used only as the spillway."  We had guided tours and school tours at the top watching us as one chamber filled and we moved into the next.  A handful of the young school children asked if they could climb over the rail and join us.  Their camp counselors stepped in with resounding "no's".  Glad they were the bearers of bad news and not us.

Heading out of Lock E-35.

View from the top of Lock 35.

 

Leaving Locks 34 and 35 behind us we barely make it under the bridge.  We need 15' to clear and made it by a foot.  Whew!

 

 

                               

Leaving the town of Lockport and heading to Tonawanda.

 

 

 

This is where we are hanging for the night.

 

We chose to tie up to the docks on the south side of the bridge because the restrooms, showers and laundry facility were a short walk away.  But, the restaurants were on the other side of the canal which made this bridge extremely important to us.

 

 

This is the Western Erie Canal gateway for those heading east.  Interesting, we saw little, actually, no traffic heading east.  Could have been the time of year.

 

 

 These looked like fun - bicycles on pontoons.

 

 

The town threw us a party for making it thus far on the Great Loop.

 

 

And even paid for a band!  Great way to end the day.

Interesting sign as we are headed to our last lock on onward to Dunkirk, NY.  The left part of the letter B is the head of a bison!

Ahead is the Black Rock Canal lock located on the Black Rock Channel.  Both were built to provide "safe passage for vessels to travel between Buffalo Harbor and Tonawanda Harbor around the reefs, rapids and fast currents that exist in the upstream portion of the Niagara river."  This is last lock we will have to go through until we hit Chicago and head into the river system.

Left the lock behind and traveling on the safe side in the channel.

 

This is busy area.  Here is a young sculling crew being guided by their coaches in the red boat.

And a young sailor practicing his tacking technique while his instructor looks on from the boat behind him.

 

 

This clip will show you why we decided to go through the Black Rock Channel and not try to go upstream on the Niagara River. 

 

The Niagara River flows north from Lake Erie, passes around Grand Island before going over Niagara Falls, narrows in the Niagara Gorge and ultimately flows into Lake Ontario.

 

 

 

We didn't have time to stop to see Niagara Falls nor did we get a chance to see Buffalo.  Can you say, road trip!

 

 

 

Windmills on the outskirts of Buffalo - green energy!

 

We made it through the Erie Canal and 36 locks.  The Eastern Side a little more barren and heavily burdened with floating logs and other wood debris.  The Western Side more developed with the canal being the focal points of the towns and villages along its path.  Long ago are the days where the canal served as epicenter connecting the East coast to the Great Lakes and beyond.  Today, its sole purpose is to serve the recreational boater. For most of our journey on the canal we saw few boats on the water with no surge in activity on the weekends.   The cost to maintain the canals and locks must be outrageous.  One can only wonder when decisions will be made that may affect some if not all of the locks. 

 

 

Next, the Great and Mighty Lakes!

 

 

A Special Erie Canal Town - Medina

Heading into Medina's town dock, yes?

 

 

 

Ah yes, confirmation!  This bend in the Erie Canal created a basin that served as a stopover point for  those traveling after the canal opened in 1825. The town flourished after that point.  Today, the town is struggling because of the economy but the town folks are determined to create the city as a destination place.

 

 

Back side of the city.

A mural depicting a river barge being towed by the mules on the towpath.

 

Closer view.

Another large mural - look west young man.

                             

I hope the door in the center on the 3rd floor is bolted shut because the first step is a doozy.

Another mural incorporating the Erie Canal.

 

 

Street view of the buildings below.

 

 

 

1876 building waiting for someone to come and bring it back to life.

 

 

Medina is known for its "Medina sandstone" which is a brown stone used widely in buildings in the region during the 1800's.  Above is Main Street the main strip in downtown.  The buildings you are looking at are all built using the Medina sandstone.  When you plan a trip to Medina we suggest you dine at Zambistro (to the right of the picture).  Our meal was fabulous!

 

 

 

We stopped by to see Mark, the owner of the Candle Nook, and he gave us the low down on the town.  Huge efforts are being made by the downtown business owners and the town to bring the area back to life.  They have spruced up their downtown by placing hanging flower baskets, American flags and banners on the lampposts.

 

 

 

 The business owners invested in piping music to the downtown area as well.  Listen.  It's more New York than New York!!

 

 

 

 

Another sandstone building.

 

 

 

City Hall

 

 

 

Another refurbished section on Main Street.

 

 

 

 More of the downtown area.

 

 

Love, love, love this window dressing which is in the front of a hardware store.  Very creative and makes you stop and think.  Enlarge the picture and take a closer look.  Clever.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is Candle Nook owner, Mark's, favorite chocolate treat and it is good.  Finger licking good because it was extremely hot and humid again that day.

 

They could use some more business establishments in the area.  Tell them Bill and Kathy sent you!

Can't get enough of the main drag.

 

 

Eastern end of town.

 

 

 

Opera House below.

This is one of the oldest opera houses in the U.S.  It was built in 1864 "during the height of the Civil War.  The property was donated to the Orleans Renaissance Group, Inc. who wants to bring it back to its former glory years."  I want to go back there to see this beauty when it is completely refurbished.  It is going to be stunning.

 

 

 

The refurbished buildings look FANTASTIC.  1800 architecture has been retained.  A local college needs to offer a class to study the historical architecture along the Erie Canal especially in Medina!

Any true town has to have an Irish pub.  It's a must although it does sit next to the police station. 

 

Did you know one of the largest ethnic groups to work on the Erie Canal were the Irish?

 

 

Guinness for him and a black and tan for me, please.

 

Just in case you can't read gaelic they've attached pictures on the bathroom doors - good idea!

 

                             

 

First Baptist Church built with sandstone.

                             

Close picture of the side entrance.

 

 

 

Front entrance

Love the ornate brackets on this Queen Anne home across from the church.

 

 

 

 St. Mary's Church is another beaut built with the Medina sandstone.

One of the oldest Catholic churches we have run across on our adventure.

 

 

Built in the day where you needed a church of this size to hold all of the parishioners.  Different story today.

 

 

 

                            

They were suppose to have mass every day at 7:30 am.  I ran over here at 7:15 and there were no signs of life.  All of the doors were locked.  Can't say I didn't try.  Bill was happy because I got back to the boat earlier than anticipated.  On the road again..................