Tranquil Serenity (well almost) - Motoring Through the Champlain and Erie Canals
On July 11, 2014 we set off from Westport, N.Y., mast across our deck, in our "floating motor-home" Sea Star.  We headed south for Whitehall which is the northern end of the Champlain canal.
Through most of the canal's 400 miles the passage was slow and serene, more often than not through rural or forested areas but we also periodically traveled through small towns and "cottage country"; once even motoring straight for 20 miles across Lake Oneida.
We passed just south of Rochester, N.Y. and found ourselves in the midst of planes, trains and automobiles; a truly hectic place to be afloat!
It seemed that around every bend in the river a new vista and experience awaited, but one thing seemed to always remain the same - the railway.  It snaked along hugging the low, flat tow path that edged the canal and even was found within feet of the locks.  It was terrifying at times to be at anchor, tranquil, all tucked in for the night and have the train go screaming by mere feet away or to cringe as we reached the top of a lock to be greeted by a full-speed freight train thundering through.
Blissfully for the western 100 miles of the Erie Canal the tow path is a biking/hiking trail which pushes the rail lines blessedly back a short distance from the canal.
As we motor along at 5 knots we note the joggers need exert little effort to pass us by.
We had many interested bird sightings in the canals: great blue heron, ducks, Canada geese, swans, osprey, kingfishers,a rough legged hawk and bald eagles.