We left Troy Saturday morning and headed into the Champlain Canal and its eleven locks. Most of the locks raised us about 15-19 feet. There is quite a strong current as the lock fills with water and it is shredding the covers on our fenders.
Photo: Lock #1 Troy Federal Lock . This is the only Army Corps of Engineer controlled lock in the NY State Canal System.
Photo: Waterford, NY: Time to decide...Erie Canal or Champlain Canal
After 25 miles and four locks, we ended the day in Schuylerville, NY. It was here at the Battle of Saratoga where, in 1777 Lt. Gen. John Burgoyne surrendered to the American forces in what was the turning point of the Revolutionary War. This is a nice little town just ten miles east of Saratoga Springs. 
The horse racing season started there this weekend and the town is really jumping. We will stop here on our return trip and drive over there. The Schuyler Yacht Basin is just off the river and a delightful stopping place. Phil & Judy Dean have run the marina for the past twenty two years.
Photo: Pam with decorated horse in Schuylerville, NY
There was a 6 hours thunder and lightning storm overnight which knocked out power in the surrounding area and raised the water levels over a foot.
Photo: Water rushing through the creek.
Decided to stay an extra day and walked into town and up to the Saratoga Monument. This was built for the 100th anniversary of the battle (1877). John walked up (and down) all 188 steps of the 154 ft obelisk. Adorning the four faces of the monument are life-size sculptures of key American leaders of 1777. Gen Schuyler faces east toward his Saratoga estate burned by the British. To the west, Colonel Daniel Morgan faces the positions his corps took to help surround the British. In the northern niche, Gen. Horatio Gates faces toward the route of British invasion from Canada. The southern niche remains empty, signifying Gen. Benedict Arnold's heroism in 1777 overshadowed by his later treachery.
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