Run Away Barge!

Delays, delays, delays, if it's not the weather, it's mechanical, if it's not mechanical, it's something blocking the way!

As you can see from the picture Larry and I didn't get much in the way of sleep Saturday night in Oswego. Around 2 AM the wind switched around as predicted to the North East and it howled the rest of the night, causing reverb of the chop coming into the marina. It continued to blow on Sunday until late in the evening. We had made a deal not to go into the locks during high winds after the episode in the Spring, so we stayed an extra day in Oswego. We walked to town and the book store then to lunch. It was a quiet night last night and we enjoyed a good nights sleep.

We left Oswego at dawn this morning to travel to Sylvan Beach, just East of Oneida Lake and
this is the story of our day as it unfolded.....















This picture was taken from the town dock in Minetto. We were advised by the lock master at Oswego lock number 5 that a run away barge was blocking the channel and we would be wise to wait it out on the town dock. When we pulled into and out of lock five we noticed all the weeds floating in the water but were unable to avoid them. Upon accelerating we could feel the boat vibrate and have difficulty gaining speed. Larry put the boat into reverse and did a 360 degree turn, which freed the island of weeds around our prop. After about a half hour wait, long enough to have a cook breakfast, we were hailed and told to proceed with caution around the barge.















As you can see it was a very big barge and took up the entire channel. The power boat to the right of the tug went aground as he swung to wide and went into shallow water. Captain Larry on the other hand being the good navigator snugged up close to the tug and did a wonderful job with plenty of water to spare. Yeah!

At this point all the fun began with the engine intake and the result of the weeds. we seemed to be stopping every hour or so and Larry would have to go though the process of clearing out the lines while I up above had to keep us from going aground with out a motor or sail to help. Thank goodness for no wind or very little wind.















This is the lock and bridge in Phoenix, the one where you have to guess weather the tender got you request for right of passage because he never answers. He must have heard us because as you can see it did open for us.

Well we are securely tied to the wall in Sylvan Beach tonight and arrived 6:50 PM and have had our cocktails and have eaten dinner and are looking forward to a good nights sleep.