Tropical Storm Karen on Sandy's Path; Erie Canal Update

Tropical storm Karen, currently in the Gulf of Mexico, is on a similar path to that followed by Hurricane Sandy, which devastated large portions of the US east coast last year. You can follow its progress at http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/
As you can see from the graphic above, it's headed straight for the Chesapeake Bay, and will arrive there just prior to the US Sailboat show. This one bears watching by southbound boaters since it's headed for where we are and, if this graphic is correct, will have some affect on almost the entire ICW.

Erie Canal - the Erie Canal today opened to allow boats trapped by the closure to get past E13. The other good news I have for you comes from the Erie Canal folks - the Federal Lock at Troy is open and there are no issues regarding the federal shutdown. You're wide open to the south.
That being said - pay attention to Karen as she approaches, as large segments of the Hudson River were badly damaged by Sandy last year. Karen's arrival will coincide with your presence on the Hudson.