Mechanicville, NY to the Chipman Point Marina, VT.
Left Mechanicville early and had the locks to ourselves until we finally met three boats heading south. At Lock 6 we locked through under the gazes of a group of school children on a school outing. Most of the Champlain canal locks are in great shape, well maintained, and the staff are very friendly. Stopped at Whitehall just before lock 12 to uncouple the holding tank discharge hose. Shortly thereafter the clouds stared to darken and, not wanting to repeat our experience a couple of days ago, we decided to put in early at the Chipman Point Marina rather than press on to where we had reservations at the foot of Lake Champlain. In the end the thunderstorm was not that violent. The marina was old ,charming, and inexpensive. The main building is a tall and narrow ex-warehouse, with a store on the 1st floor, showers and laundry on the 2nd floor, and the owner’s living quarters on the 3rd floor. Not long after we arrived, a beautiful old wooden water taxi-like tour boat circled by. We did a wash, Mary made another great supper, and we were early to bed again.