Of interest to our Auxiliary friends

This was an interesting scenerio this morning. Friends we were going to meet in Watkins Glen were unable to make it due to some medical concern on their end. There was no point in continuing out of the way and we came back through Lock 24 of the Erie canal eastbound to connect with the Oswego Canal at Three Rivers. As you follow the two left rivers (Seneca River which runs into Oswego River) both going north, the buoy system changes. In the lower river (Seneca) it is red on Port side and as it becomes Oswego River the red again is right-returning! If you notice the little navigational aid on top of the helm station, it is a visual for what system we are currently using. It can get confusing especially at our age!! This truly does help.

There are 7 locks in the Oswego Canal, numbered 1 - 8 with no number 4 in existence. They decided when building the lock they did not need #4 so rather than change the plans and the numbering system, they continue on with the original plans, just building one less. According to the chart, it's one of the few rivers in the U.S. that flow north. Most rivers flow south, east, or west based on topography. It's 24 miles. From the Three Rivers point, the Oswego Canal drops from 363 feet above sea level to 245 feet above sea level. We loved transiting this Canal. It was far more modern and in better shape than the Erie and I'd say more picturesque.