Hudson River, Erie Canal and Oswego Canal

On our way up the Hudson River, we passed under the Tappan Zee Bridge.  Currently the bridge is being replaced with a new one.  The old one was completed in 1955 at a cost of $81M and was expected to last 50 years, which apparently it did.  Between 100K and 150K cars pass over the bridge every day.  In 2013, construction began on a a dual span twin bridge that is expected to open in 2017, or 2018.  Costs are estimated to be $5B-$6B this time!  There will be 4 lanes on each span as well as a shared use bicycle and pedestrian lane.  It is part of the NYS Thruway System and will cost $12 to $15 to drive across.  On completion, the new bridge will be the widest bridge on the planet and one of the longest cable-stayed spans in the nation.  Pretty cool to see it being built.  We passed several barge loads of materials being shipped down river to the site.

Old bridge - new bridge

Construction material headed to bridge site 

Manufacturing site in Albany where material is loaded and towed to bridge site

 Further up the river past Albany is Waterford, NY the start of the Erie Canal system.  We were fortunate to see, and tour, Tugboat Urger,.  She was built in 1904 for use as a commercial shipping vessel and retired from service in the 1980s.  In 1991, she took on a new life as a teaching tug, educating children and adults about the importance of the NYS Canal System.  When we were there, a school field trip was visiting Urger and we eagerly watched and listened from a distance as the kids got to see her up close.  While at Waterford, we met up with our old boat (Mainship 390 also called MASCOT at the time).  The current owners are taking great care of her and are taking her around The Loop for the second time!

Children lined up to tour 'Urger'

Atlas Imperial Diesel Engine - 300 horsepower

Scott as Tugboat Captain for the moment

On the wall in Waterford with our current boat and our old Mainship at the very back of the line

Threatening skies along the Erie Canal

Saranac Brewery Tour

When & If  can mean a lot of things but little did we know the story about this schooner we first saw at Sylvan Beach, NY then again in Oswego, NY.  It's an Alden Schooner Yacht built for General George S. Patton to sail "When the war is over, and if I live through it, Bea and I are going to sail her around the world".  She was built by F.F. Pendleton in Wiscasset, ME in 1939.  General Patton died in 1945 and never got to sail around the world with Bea.  The yacht remained in the family until 1972 when she was gifted to the Landmark School in Prides Crossing, MA where she was used in the sail training program for dyslexic children.  She suffered severe damage when her mooring line broke in a storm and went back to private ownership.  Since then she has had a couple of owners and undergone several restorations.  She is sailing the Great Lakes this year as part of a Tall Ships Celebration.

What a sight to see this cruise ship locking through.  The Grande Mariner holds 96 passengers and cruises inland waterways as well as ocean coastal areas.  The ship pushes the limits of the canal in width and height, the latter being achieved with a hydraulic upper deck that lowers to fit under bridges.  This was a 15 day cruise originating in Chicago and will end up in Warren, RI.  The ship wasn't full but the people we spoke with said it was fantastic.

It's a tight fit for Grand Mariner in the lock at Oswego

Next stop Cooperstown, not sure where they will dock the ship