The First Step of her Journey

Yesterday was the first leg of the Emita II's journey to her new home in Indiana.  Dan and I (and Winnie) arrived at Dutchman's Landing just after 5am because it was going to be a long day.  The Emita spent the Winter in the Seneca River at our dock with bubblers for the first time, instead of the State Dry Dock in Lyons where she has always wintered.  She weathered the season well and with the great care given by Dan, Dwayne Morton and Bob Delong she was good to go to the Mid-Lakes Marina in Macedon.  It was time to go.

Well, we did wait for the sun to come up!

Dan's sister, Sarah Wiles, came to see us off.  The entire Wiles family has worked on the Emita at one time or another and all have had a role in her success.  This is the end of an era their father, Peter Wiles, Sr. began, so a bittersweet day for everyone.  It was great to have Sarah there!

We casted off and the Emita left Dutchman's for the last time.  You can see the dock (and Sarah) in the background.

Under the bridge and we were on our way west.

Our first lock was Lock 24 in Baldwinsville.  (It should be noted the Erie Canal is not officially open but Dan secured permits to move to the Marina.)  The Emita went through Lock 24, twice, on every lunch and dinner cruise, as well as every 4th Grade kid's trip.  It was surreal going in for the last time, but it was also important for us (and especially for Dan) not to get caught into every "last time".  Anyway, here we are approaching the Lock and the gates are open!

Going in.  It really was a beautiful day for this trip!

I've heard Dan talk about the Red Mill Inn hundreds of times, including how the height of this 4-story building is the height of the Lock with the largest life on the Erie Canal system, the Lock in Little Falls.

"And just like that we have risen the 11 feet, the gates are opening and we will be on our way."  This was Dan's "spiel" every time we left Lock 24!  (And hopefully you will see a video here...you remember I am still learning Blogger!)

About 2.5 hours into our cruise we got to Cross Lake.  

One of our good friends and relief Captains last Summer was Steve Wunder.  Steve has had a lifetime of experiences living and working on the Canal and is an overall great guy.  There are lots of Stevie Wunder stories, many of which I cannot share in this public forum (lol!), but suffice it to say we always loved when we went past his house.  In true fashion Steve was not home yesterday because he was attending an Canal Symposium in Rochester, but we waved anyway.  Captain Steve will be joining Dan and the Emita and the rest of her trip to Indiana.

Just passed Steve's house is the Richmond Aquaduct.  It is a wonderful structure & worth the trip out to see, whether by water or by foot.  It is especially beautiful in the Fall.

We see all forms of transportation on the Canal, but I think trains are Dan's favorite.  We saw a few yesterday.  I thought it was pretty cool that 100 years ago at this spot a Canal boat and a train may have traveled together, just like this.

We went through 8 locks yesterday with me on the wall on most of them, and Winnie was very attentive. 

E\xcept when she wasn't.  Being 2nd Mate is hard work!

Lock 27 is always a good place because of Bob Stopper and all the work he and others in Lyons do to welcome boaters, give out information and keep their grounds pretty.

Lock 28A was especially poignant for us.  After a delay to enter the Lock (a huge tree had fallen into the Canal and was wedged across the gate opening, but the Lockmaster was able to dislodge it, tie it to the side and let us in) we were met by Captain Katilynn McHenry.  Long-time Captain of the Colonial Belle in Fairport, and close friend to Dan and me, Kaitlynn and her crew member Drea, who had been working on the Belle to get her ready for the season, came over to visit and help us lock through.  Here's Kaitlynn on the wall helping with lines.

The Emita II and the Colonial Belle are sister ships, both built by Blount.  They have worked together twice.  The first time in the mid-1970's when they were both doing tours on the Connecticut River.  Back then the Colonial Belle was named the Dolly Madison. They were brought together again in the mid-1990's when Lee Poinan purchased that boat and renamed it the Colonial Belle and they both did cruises (especially school cruises) out of Fairport and Macedon. The Colonial Belle owners and Mid-Lakes owners have been long-time friends.  Lee often told me if it wasn't for the help of Peter Wiles, Sr., the Colonial Belle would not have succeeded.  This is probably the past time these boats will pass each other.  This was history.

The Emita II has had hundreds of crew members over the years.  When I tell people my association with Mid-Lakes I often have them respond with excitement "I used to work for Mid-Lakes!  What a great Summer!"  Kelly Kehoske worked for Dan as a crew member for many, many years both as a seasonal crew member when the Emita still did overnight cruises, and as Fall and fill-in help.  She messaged when she saw we were moving and met us in the park in Newark as we were going through with a sign that said "Thanks Captain Dan!".  This boat, this family, this company has had a major impact on many lives over the years.  It was great to see you Kelly!  Sorry we couldn't stop1

"Low bridge, everybody down."

Another good friend of Dan's, and a good friend of the Canal, was Doug Wilson.  Along with being a "regular" passenger, Doug would often meet the Emita when it was traveling through Palmyra and would travel with his bicycle for a few locks visiting and then bike home.  He was a great guy who we lost a few years ago.  This was his beloved home on the Canal and we always tell "Doug stories" when we go by.

After a long 12+ hour cruise we finally came to this wonderful place.  Mid-Lakes Marina, which along with being a full-fledged Marina, is the home of the Mid-Lakes Hire Boats.  Peter Wiles, Jr, Dan's brother, met us there to help us dock.

And here she is until we get clearance to travel the rest of the Erie Canal and then on through the Great Lakes.  Dan, Winnie and I packed up, drove back home to the Syracuse area...and slept!  :)