FAMILY HOSPITALITY-PRETTY DAMN GREAT
June 16-19, 2026
There are 30 total locks between Troy, NY and Lake Ontario. From Troy, NY to Oneida Lake there are 23 locks and after Oneida Lake, there are 7 more.
Locking through the Erie Canal is an interesting endeavor. The lock masters are efficient and hard working.
One of the amazing things that the Great Loop has achieved is getting Howie and me together with dear friends and family. We have had numerous occasions to either be in a port where one of our family or friends live or have had friends drive to us. Being in Mohawk Harbor was amazing serendipity for me as my Mom and sister Laur were visiting our first cousin Jenifer Haeckl and her husband Bob Ward. How is that for coincidence?!? We were able to spend three days together as Mohawk Harbor was about a 15 minute drive from Jenifer and Bob’s house. They were amazingly kind in allowing us to bring Bella who swam in their pool.
At Bob and Jenifer’s house.
We spent the day on Lake George and enjoyed a nice lunch out at the Lagoon restaurant on their patio overlooking the lake. Jenifer made an AMAZING dinner that we enjoyed poolside. Jenifer and I had coordinated ahead of time as Howie’s birthday is on June 19 so I ordered a cake and Jenifer picked it up. We sang ‘happy birthday’ and shared some presents. So nice to be able to celebrate Howie’s birthday with family around.
Howie, Linda, Laurie and Mom overlooking Lake George.
So, we were planning to leave Mohawk Harbor on Thursday, June 18 but the weather was not cooperating and we delayed one day. That was ANOTHER serendipity moment as our dear friends, Steve and Mary Kay Crone were driving from Cleveland to Boston and we happened to be 10 minutes off the highway along their route. We were able to spend a few hours chatting and being together which I have dearly missed since leaving Cincinnati, OH. Mary Kay and I have been friends since preschool or was it kindergarten?!? She would know. Either way it has been over a 55 year friendship that I will always cherish. LOVE that we were able to see so many of our precious family and friends in just a few days!
Howie, Mary Kay, Linda and Steve.