June 11, 2013:  Leaving Fort Edwards to an anchorage close to Westport, NY

We sailed through 4 locks today and cleared a 17 foot RR bridge with about 6 inches to spare.  With all the rain we had concerns that the river was up and it would prevent us from clearing the bridge.  The rain was never ending.  We cruised by Fort Ticonderoga which we toured a few days ago.  We are now officially in Lake Champlain after lock 12.   We decided to travel 72 miles to a quiet anchorage near Westport since we were basically trapped on the boat  because of bad weather.  Low and behold we reached Button Bay anchorage and the windlass would not work!!!  This was the first time we used it since the repair at Coeymans, and it would not release.  The rain started pounding down and Ken braved the elements and threw the extra anchor over board.  We were  wet, cold and exhausted once we got inside the boat.  Flipped on the generator so I could start supper, and after a few minutes, it quit!  Concerned that we would drain the batteries and with the weather in the 40s at night, we needed heat.  We lucked out and a marina restaurant answered the phone at 6:30 and after she made a few calls for us, we were told we could dock.  It was 5 miles away.  Time to put on our rain gear, pull anchor, and head to the other side of the lake, to Westport Marina.  Of course no one was there to catch a line and Ken eased Loop Dreams into the dock and I hopped off and tied her up.  We were happy that we found a dock with electricity for the night.  What a day!!