The Great Loop

After a few weeks of prep work we are finally under way and on our adventure. This should be a year long experience up the Atlantic Coast, over the Great Lakes, and down the inland rivers. Read more

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The Great Loop Traveler
Staten Island
June 4, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 55 °F
We stayed at the Richmond County Yacht Club on a mooring ball. There was a beach nearby with horseshoe crab shells.
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The Great Loop Traveler
New York City China Town
June 4, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 66 °F
We are our way through China Town, sampling delicious foods and amazing ice cream.
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The Great Loop Traveler
New York City
June 4, 2023 in the United States ⋅ 🌩️ 66 °F
We spent a week in the City, dining at amazing places, and seeing great sights.
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The Great Loop Traveler
Ossining NY
June 6, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 57 °F
We left our anchorage in New York City and headed up the Hudson to Ossining. It is a small town with a nice trail along the aqueduct. Unfortunately, smoke from a fire in Canada rolled in while we were grocery shopping.Read more
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The Great Loop Traveler
West Point
June 8, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 66 °F
We continue our journey up the Hudson. The area is scenic with green hills and deep water. We anchored just behind West Point.
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The Great Loop Traveler
To Kingston NY
June 9, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 68 °F
We left our anchorage and headed to Kingston. On our way, we passed Bannerman Castle which is on its own island. We also passed a cute lighthouse.
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The Great Loop Traveler
New Baltimore
June 10, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 59 °F
Donovan’s Shady Harbor Marina in New Baltimore hosted a Great Loop gathering with live music, tastings, bon fire, and pig roast. Over 40 looper boats were in attendance.
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The Great Loop Traveler
Waterford NY
June 13, 2023 in the United States ⋅ 🌩️ 66 °F
We passed through Albany Yacht Club for fuel and ended the day at Waterford along the lock wall. A bunch of loopers were here as we all waited for the next morning opening. In the meantime, I walked around Peebles Island where I saw a dam, waterfall, and wildlife.Read more
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The Great Loop Traveler
Schenectady NY
June 14, 2023 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 70 °F
We spent the day going through locks E-2 through E-7 taking us from Waterford to Schenectady. The first five locks were all in a row, each being 35 feet high.
The owner of Donovan’s manages the marina at Schenectady and offered a discount if we stayed. We decided it was a good place to rest and clean up as the locks were really slimy.

The town offered old historic houses and was home to train manufacturing. There was a nice restaurant with wine tasting. You put in a card and select the wine and size of pour. We also went bowling with our new friends on Legacy.Read more
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The Great Loop Traveler
Riverlink Park in Amsterdam
June 16, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 64 °F
Another day of locking and squeezing under bridges. Annette was a superstar helping us with lock lines.
We pulled onto the wall at Riverlink park and stayed the night. The town has a lovely pedestrian path with art. They have a Vietnam and 9-11 memorial. The 9-11 memorial has a beam from the World Trade Tower. The pedestrian path leads you to their culinary district which takes you to the foot of a castle that is now a hotel and restaurant.Read more
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Dinner at Amsterdam Castle
June 16, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 66 °F
I brought random costumes and accessories including Annette’s old Sofia crown. It was a perfect accessory to wear to dinner at the castle.

We all decided that having dinner there sounded fun. The food was delicious. The building covered in art. Upstairs was the Kennedy room. An area where President Kennedy visited and sat on the couch.Read more
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The Great Loop Traveler
Canajoharie, the pot that washes itself
June 17, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 59 °F
Another day of locking. Rain was in the forecast so we wore rain gear. Thankfully it didn’t rain while we were underway.

We stayed on the wall in Canajoharie and walked to the old town to have lunch at an Irish Pub. The burgers were amazing. We continued our walk to a short trail to see the Pot that washes itself. It’s the name of the area given by the Native American tribe for the natural formation of flowing water that causes whirlpools. It was very pretty with small rapids and falls flowing into pools. It started raining so we left and stopped by the Arkel House for a tour.Read more
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The Great Loop Traveler
Little Falls
June 18, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 64 °F
Little Falls is home to Lock 17, a 40.5 high lock, once the tallest lock in the world. It was quite the experience going through it.

The town itself was small but cute. Old factory buildings repurposed into antique stores and restaurants dotted the historic town.

Near the lock was Moss Island, which is great for rock climbing. Michael loved it!Read more
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The Great Loop Traveler
Sylvan Beach
June 23, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 70 °F
Another day of locks with a sports theme. We arrived in Sylvan Beach on the free wall which was walking distance to the beach. Matt bought a water tube so one day we did a dinghy raft and went tubing.

The area also has an amusement park, but it’s only opened on weekends. It wasn’t very impressive.

The restaurants were good, especially Harpoon Eddie’s that offered live music.

Our final night we anchored out and rafted four boats. We enjoyed a nice sunset while listening to music from Harpoon Eddie’s.Read more
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The Great Loop Traveler
Brewerton
June 24, 2023 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 77 °F
Went into the Winter Harbor Harbor for fuel and to stay a few nights. Coda is getting hauled out and there are a few loopers here either getting work done or staying the night.

We happened to arrive when the Mayflies are out and there’s a bunch of dead ones in the waterRead more
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The Great Loop Traveler
Niagara Falls
June 25, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 82 °F
We took a car ride to see the falls.
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The Great Loop Traveler
Minetto
June 27, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 77 °F
We left the Erie Locks and entered the Oswego Locks. Minetto seemed like a nice place to stop for the night. The kids enjoyed fishing and Michael caught a fishing pole! The area is pretty with flowers, bird houses, and a walking path. There is a restroom and a $1/foot suggested donationRead more
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The Great Loop Traveler
Oswego
June 29, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 73 °F
Made it through all but the final lock on the Oswego Canal. Tied up to the free wall which is walking distance to the town, a water park, and railroad trail. There was a small bakery and restaurant nearby. Live music was played in the evening and the walkways are decorated with lights.Read more
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The Great Loop Traveler
Fort Ontario
June 30, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 75 °F
We took a quick tour of Fort Ontario. They had recreated buildings and casemates to explore.
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The Great Loop Traveler
Henderson Harbor
July 1, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 72 °F
Anchored in the harbor. During the day there were jet skiers and water tubers. We jumped into the water to cool down. In the evening we were surrounded by fireworks for Canada Day and 4th of July.
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The Great Loop Traveler
Cape Vincent
July 2, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 77 °F
Influenced by the French, this little town has a few small shops, parks, and fisheries with a small aquarium. The water is very clear and refreshing. Anchored near the town dock with plenty of space.
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The Great Loop Traveler
Picnic Point
July 3, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 77 °F
Anchored in the Thousand Islands on the east side of Grindstone Island. Anchorage is next to the state park that has a camp ground and gazebo.
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The Great Loop Traveler
Singer castle on dark island
July 4, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 84 °F
Today we took our boats to Dark Island to tour Singer Castle. They have a dock for private boat access and offer tours on the hour. Our tour guide Shaw was wonderful. She showed us the secret passageways, castle, and history.Read more
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Anchoring out on the 4th
July 5, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 84 °F
After visiting Singer Castle we anchored nearby and played in the water.
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The Great Loop Traveler
Boldt Castle
July 7, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 79 °F
Toured the lovely Boldt Castle on n Heart Island. Mom and dad came out to visit for the next few days.
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