Oswego and Erie Canals

We left Oswego about 8:00 AM Sunday morning. I felt a little anxious and nervous about the first lock but that subsided quickly. We traveled the full length of the Oswego Canal and a portion of the Erie as far as Brewerton, NY. We tied up on the wall (free dock, free is good) for the night. It rained off and on during the night and late in the evening before we settled in it poured. We were glad to be finished with travel for the day.

Monday we decided to go only as far as Sylvan Beach. We left Brewerton around 9:00 AM after a brisk walk to town and traveled about 2 1/2 hours across Oneida Lake. We went for another walk and had dinner out with our traveling buddies Amy and Doug. It was good to take a short day of travel. We were all still tired from our preparation and long first day.

Tuesday we traveled about 40 miles and locked through four locks. The picture shows Amy and Doug on Stonefire prepared for locking. We spent a pleasant evening on the wall at Ilion Marina. Amy and Doug came over for cocktails after dinner and to watch our video on cruising the Bahamas with the Shards. Watching the aqua blue water and sunshine helps when it is getting very cold here in New York.

This morning after a shower and lite breakfast we walked to the Remington Factory to visit the museum. We were quite amazed at their history. Besides guns at one time they manufactured sewing machines, cuttlerly, typewriters, cash registers and bicycles. Today will be a good day, we learned something.

As I am writing this entry we just locked through the largest lock, lock 17. We have been through it three times now and it still impresses me. When you think about the time frame these locks were built about 100 years ago and the lack of big machinery it is very impressive.

Stepping The Mast

Friday morning we pulled out of Sodus Bay around 8:00 AM. The seas had calmed considerable and the wind was about 12 to 15 knots. We sailed the entire distance to Oswego. The sun peaked out and made for an enjoyable day on the Lake. We arrived at Oswego International Marina about 2:00 in the afternoon. We had a very busy rest of the day preparing the boat to step the mast. All the canvas had to be removed, the frame had to be put together, cotter pins had to be removed, loosen shrouds, remove and fold the sails, remove ridged boom vang and the boom, disconnect all the electronics connected to the mast. The list doesn't seem long but it sure takes most of the day to do. We did manage to take a break about 7:00 Pm to go to dinner with Amy and Doug at Larry's favorite place Coleman's Irish Pub.

As you can see from the picture we did indeed step the mast today and we decided to take a break and spend the night here at the marina. We are very tired but ready to start out at 8:00 AM tomorrow morning. Our plan is to go all the way to Sylvan beach tomorrow if our energy and the weather hold out.

First Leg Of The Journey

Monday We finished up some last minute details while we had our rental car. After we went to our daughter Jennifer's house, it was her Birthday. She was less than pleased with us last year for leaving three days before her Birthday. I baked a cake and cooked dinner for her and her family. Dan and Kira also joined us for cake. It was great to be able to get together one last time before we leave. It was late when we returned back home to our boat.

Tuesday I finished more cleaning and packing away of supplies while Larry finished up the last few details for his Captains license. He went for his eye exam and to test out for the first-aid course. It was evening by the time he returned.

We were still on the creek on Wednesday. Larry had to get all his paper work in the mail and and put the motorcycle into storage. Everything in due time. By evening we were finally ready to set sail.

The boat you see in the picture pulled into our marina on Wednesday after a wicked ride on the lake from Niagara on the Lake. We helped them dock and invited them to join us at the Black North for dinner. Over dinner we shared with them our excitement from our trip last year. They themselves are making the trip South to the Bahamas for the first time. Doug and Amy weren't sure if they were going to leave the next day but after listening to the weather we all decided Thursday and Friday were to be the best days for travel on the lake.

We did leave about 8:00 AM this morning. The lake was still rolling from Wednesday's storm. It took some time to adjust to the movement and to not feel sick. After a few hours I said to Larry either the lake had calmed down or I was just getting used to the waves. The seas were very confused and the wind was not right to get an assist from the sails. We arrived in Sodus Bay at the Yacht Club around 5:00 PM and settled in for the evening.

A Great Way To End The Summer

As you can see, Joseph, Kira and Jonathan did indeed spend the weekend. This little fishing session ended in a bit of excitement. After Papa rescued Jonathan's fishing pole and we attempted to untangle and rewind the line, Joseph successfully kneeled on the hook and drove it into his knee. It took a pair of pliers and a very brave boy for it to be removed. We are sure when Papa says not to move the next time he will listen. Even through the excitement we had a great weekend and are looking forward to next summer with all three for vacation.

The Last Preparations

This picture was taken during our vacation in July. It seems so long ago now! The leaves are starting to turn color and the sky is looking like Winter. It is time for us to go but we have a few more days until we cast off our lines and begin our journey.

We have succeeded in hiding all that which we have squirreled away for the Winter months south. Our compartments are almost full to the brim with only a few items left to purchase. I'm sure our water line is not as high out of the water as in the picture and we may go a little slower. One conciliation we won't be looking for grocery stores along the way.

We have been visiting with friends and family in between shopping this past weekend. Renting a car was a good thing but we are both very tired with doing it all in one weekend. I'm not used to working that hard any more, retirement is great.

We plan to have all three Grandchildren this weekend, what fun! Our Daughter accused us of trying to get our fill before we leave. Guilty as accused and not afraid to say so, nine months is a long time. We have high hopes that we will get guest this winter.

Larry has been busy completing the last requirements for his Captains license. It has been a process with a few road blocks though. He was all set to go tonight for his First Aid and CPR course and was called about an hour before he left only to learn it had been canceled due to lack of students. He was the only one. Hopefully this will work out in his favor. He ask if he might review the books and test out. He himself was an EMT instructor for many years. He will know tomorrow what they decide.

It has begun to rain since I started to type this update. We hope for clear skies and warm air next week. Last year when we left it was a beautiful Indian Summer. Maybe we luck out again this year.

A Beautiful Day on the Creek

As you can see from the picture, our swan family is getting very big! In fact the babies are now as large as the parents, something that happens to us humans in the teenage years. They are also in the moulting stage, they look funny when they spread their wings, half white and half grey. I took this picture two nights ago when they were on their way up the creek. Unfortunately, I didn't have my camera with me today when we went for a dinghy ride, we were up close and personal. You have to be careful though the parents keep a close watch and can get mean if you get to close.

We spent most of today preparing for our trip South. Moving things around on the boat and taking somethings off. We have decided the water is shallow in the Bahamas and we will snorkel and not scuba dive. We will leave behind our tanks, regulators and BC's. This gives us more room to store foods that will be expensive in the Islands. We pick up a rental car tomorrow morning and start the provisioning process. Our extensive list should help to make the process smooth.

Now You See it Now You don't

As you can see Larry is getting ready to get moving again! The picture last night in the dinghy is him with his long hair and the one on the dock is him hosing off the dock after I cut about a pound of hair off his head and face. My bet it will be the last cut until we return next June, any takers.

We have been busy preparing for our return South. We will begin our journey on September 20. We have planned to rent a car for the next two weekends to make it easier for the provisioning process. It's been different since we sold the pickup truck. We have been traveling everywhere by motorcycle. It's like sailing you really are one with nature, the smells in the air and seeing what you don't in an enclosed vehicle. The only downfall has been a considerable amount of rain. Somehow getting soaked in cool temperatures isn't exciting.

This past weekend being Labor Day proved to be what we get most years for weather, it rained. We did get a gift on Monday though the sun shone and we got to go sailing with friends, Keith and Jane. It turned out to be a glorious day, especially sharing it with friends.

The Beavers On Oak Orchard Creek

Last night I was standing on the dock while Gail was visiting with Colleen and Barb and noticed a beaver swimming behind the boat. As I stood there I was joined by a heron about 5 feet to my right on the dock. Within 15 minutes I spotted 2 more beavers. It seems they like the sycamore trees on the hill and they are falling the sycamores and 'storing' the tree for winter. The little guy to the left is dragging a branch to his home. Two days ago Gail and I noticed the tree was down in the park and now there isn't a trace of the tree. They took it all away. Unfortunately, dropping trees around boats secured to docks is frowned upon so before the week is out they will likely be trapped and transported somewhere else.

Gail and I are supposed to be joining Tom and Karen tomorrow on Sodus Bay for a day of boating, on a stink pot no less! Then we are off to a party on Sunday. Too bad it is supposed to rain all weekend and our mode of transport is a motorcycle.

Our plan is to head south September 20th. First to Sodus and then Oswego and into the canal. We plan to be in Deltaville by October 12th. We may attempt to catch the Annapolis boatshow October 5th or so.