We are postponing our trip till 2012

As time goes by and both the Erie Canal and portions of the  Champlain canals remain closed due to flooding and damage done by Hurricane Irene, we will regretfully postpone our trip till June of 2012.
As disappointing as this is after all of our efforts to prepare for our departure, we are thankful that we had not left as scheduled. We may have been in the damaged areas or worse yet in the path of the hurricane.
We are living on the boat for now enjoying sails on Lake Huron.We plan on taking a few trips to some nearby ports till the boat gets lifted out of the water for the season mid October. In the meantime, we are taking advantage of the time being spent on board with little jobs that had been left to do while "on our way south".

ALERT

UPDATE: THE ERIE CANAL LOCK E2 TO E22 WILL REMAIN CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE, E-23 TO E-25 REOPENED
The Erie Canal between Locks E-2(Waterford)and Locks E-22 (New London), will remain closed to all vessels until further notice. Recent rain caused record flooding in the Mohawk River and the Canal Corporation is currently assessing damage to several structures. Updates will be provided once the full extent of damage and what efforts are necessary to reopen are determined. Updates regarding the reopening status of the Erie Canal will not be available until next week at the earliest. The Erie Canal between Lock E-23 (Brewerton) and E-25 (Mays Point) has been reopened.

For updates and information monitor 1-800-4CANAL4 and www.canals.ny.gov.

Updated Monday 09/12 at 11:54 AM

ALERT

CHAMPLAIN CANAL - LOCK C-1 TO C-4 CLOSED, C-5 TO C-12 REOPENED
Mariners are advised that the Champlain Canal from Lock C-1 (Waterford) to Lock C-4 (Schagticoke/Hempstreet Park) remains closed due to high water levels until further notice. Locks C-5 through C-12 has been reopened.

For updates and information monitor 1-800-4CANAL4 and www.canals.ny.gov.

Updated Monday 09/12 at 11:27 AM

Yikes! Our trip is on hold!

We will continue to monitor the situation and keep our fingers crossed that we can move forward with our plans.....

CLOSURE CHAMPLAIN CANAL AND ERIE CANAL LOCK E2 TO E19

Mariners are advised that the Champlain Canal, and the Erie Canal between Locks E-19 (Frankfort) and E-2 (Waterford), are closed to all vessels. Hurricane Irene caused record flooding in the Mohawk River and the Canal Corporation is currently assessing damage to several structures. Updates will be provided once the full extent of damage and what efforts are necessary to reopen are determined. Updates regarding the reopening status of the Erie Canal will not be available until next week at the earliest. Updates for the Champlain Canal should be available sooner. For updates and information monitor 1-800-4CANAL4 and www.canals.ny.gov.

http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Canals-reopening-uncertain-after-millions-in-2148008.php

Our Route

From Sarnia Yacht Club we will turn to our port side and head south under the Bluewater Bridge down the St- Clair river. That takes us to Lake St. Clair then the Detroit River. We intend to stay in Detroit the first night. We will then make out way to the U.S. side of Lake Erie till we reach Buffalo New York where we will enter the Erie Canal.



The Erie Canal is a waterway in New York that runs about 363 miles (584 km) from Albany, New York, on the Hudson River to Buffalo, New York, at Lake Erie, completing a navigable water route from the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Lakes. The canal contains 36 locks and encompasses a total elevation differential of around 565 ft.


The Hudson River will take us to New York, New York where we will then hug the east coast of the U.S. till we get to Florida.

From Florida we will sail across to the Bahamas.