Today we left the pristine new beautiful docks (you don’t see these every day) at the Mohawk Harbor Marina to venture further up the Mohawk Valley. We passed through Erie Canal Locks 8, 9 and 10 – and here they are:
Erie Canal Lock 8
Erie Canal Lock 9
Erie Canal Lock 10
Between locks 8 and 9, we revisited the Mabee Historic Farm from the river perspective.
As a result of today’s journey, we now stand at 255 feet above sea level – remarkable for a 16-ton Salty Dog! We arrived at Amsterdam NY’s Riverlink Park, which was part of a remarkable set of urban renewal efforts on part of the local authorities to build amenities that bring meaning to the community. Riverlink Park incorporates a marina, restaurant, amenty spaces, monuments and a sky bridge to the historic downtown.
Amsterdam NY Riverlink Park. Salty Dog aside the Park docks.
There is a new foot bridge linking Amsterdam and Port Jackson on the south side of the city. Done up in the style of the Manhattan High Line, the bridge does homage to Amsterdam's history. Port Jackson is home to Amsterdam Castle, a former armory and now a hotel, and a restaurant district.
Mohawk Valley Gateway Overlook pedestrian bridge
Amsterdam Castle
Lady Mohawk Valley takes a place of honor on the bridge - a sculpture incorporating the flora and fauna of the Mohawk Valley.
We took a short tour of the historic downtown – and by necessity it was short and unlike some of the other towns we’d been in recently, has a forlorn and vacant feel. Handsome buildings line Main Street waiting for tenants; and some prominent ones, such as the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame, have moved to other cities.
Downtown Amsterdam
Downtown Amsterdam
Downtown Amsterdam
Former home of the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame