Waterford, NY 11/1/2011

We were able to navigate the Champlain Canal in a day and a half despite the chilly, rainy and windy weather. We are tied up with several other sailboats and two trawlers in Waterford. Waterford looks a lot like Owego, NY......it has been devastated by the flood and there are blocks of houses that have completely ruined first floors. The furniture, carpeting, and wallboard are all in dumpsters and every window has a building permit taped to it. The docks here have no electric or water and some are ruined. The beautiful lawns and flowers are gone...covered with mucky mud. We have been advised to not use the mooring balls near Castleton on the Hudson where we planned to spend the night because the current in the Hudson is still too strong. The river is just filled to capacity. Two nights ago Lake Champlain had a downpour and received a foot of water. Wow.....and there's a hurricane near Bermuda! Hope we make the Annapolis Boat Show next week-end!