Day 27 - August 16th
We slept in today, had a nice breakfast and after lunch took a little hike onshore. After the hike we had a nice swim and then started out for Newboro Lockstation. The vacation is starting to get that end of voyage feeling. Bob and Rachel are talking about going back to the Len's Cove tomorrow while Jim, Cathie and Anne have to head back to Manotick early Saturday morning. We are planning a nice wrap up group dinner at the Stage Coach tonight.
Thursday, 16 August 2012
Day 26 - August 15th
Woke to the first truly foggy morning, at the Washburn Lockstation.
Got away from the dock nice and early and started our travels upstream with the intention of making it through Davis Locks. Jones Falls was busy enough that we had to wait for the next locking up, which would be about 2 hours, so the opportunity was there for another ice cream from the Hotel Kenney. The trip up Jones and through Davis was quick and uneventful and we made for a nice anchorage in Opinicon Lake. I think the group had come to trust us enough to lay our anchor last instead of first for the group anchoring. Finally in nice clean water and we were swimming again. Another day of finishing not to late in the day indicated that a 4:00 happy hour was needed and of course we ate too much dictating the dinner was going to be after 7:00 tonight. After dinner we had the first round robin cribbage event, of which Jim was the eventual winner over Anne. Bob took great pleasure in handly winning the runnner up game against Cathie, Joy and I.
Woke to the first truly foggy morning, at the Washburn Lockstation.
Got away from the dock nice and early and started our travels upstream with the intention of making it through Davis Locks. Jones Falls was busy enough that we had to wait for the next locking up, which would be about 2 hours, so the opportunity was there for another ice cream from the Hotel Kenney. The trip up Jones and through Davis was quick and uneventful and we made for a nice anchorage in Opinicon Lake. I think the group had come to trust us enough to lay our anchor last instead of first for the group anchoring. Finally in nice clean water and we were swimming again. Another day of finishing not to late in the day indicated that a 4:00 happy hour was needed and of course we ate too much dictating the dinner was going to be after 7:00 tonight. After dinner we had the first round robin cribbage event, of which Jim was the eventual winner over Anne. Bob took great pleasure in handly winning the runnner up game against Cathie, Joy and I.
Day 25 - August 14th
Today we cross Lake Ontario. The remaining South West waves created a beam sea for the first 3 hours, which was a little uncomfortable but as predicted the wind became South East and helped calm the waters. Bryan and Chris have departed our company at Galloo Island and headed back to Ed Huck Marine and we were sad to see them go. The rest of the trip was gentle and we made Confederation Basin in just over 6 hours and checked into Canadian Customs, and we will leave tghat discussion for another time. Once cleared we headed to Kingston Mills after the 2:00pm bridge lift. The day ended at the top of the Washburn locks. Another fun night of cribbage and converstaion finished off our day.
Today we cross Lake Ontario. The remaining South West waves created a beam sea for the first 3 hours, which was a little uncomfortable but as predicted the wind became South East and helped calm the waters. Bryan and Chris have departed our company at Galloo Island and headed back to Ed Huck Marine and we were sad to see them go. The rest of the trip was gentle and we made Confederation Basin in just over 6 hours and checked into Canadian Customs, and we will leave tghat discussion for another time. Once cleared we headed to Kingston Mills after the 2:00pm bridge lift. The day ended at the top of the Washburn locks. Another fun night of cribbage and converstaion finished off our day.
Day 24 - August 13th
Today is our last day of locking on the Erie and Oswego Canal System. Despite the things we had heard, we found it to a great experience. We will miss the fact that you can leave your engines running, four 45 foot boats can fit on one wall, no embuttments and smooth filling and lowering. We made the trip from Phoenix to Oswego in 3 hours and the three diesel boats all filled up at Oswego Marina then we all moved over to the town wall for the night, $20 flat rate and it had hydro. Since the day ended early Jim, Bob and Bryan walked into town to pick up Bob's parts at NAPA and then visited the Fire Museum to see the old engines, it wasn't open but since it is run by retirees they were invited inside for a private tour. Sinced the only meal wew haven't tried this trip was Chinese we headed over to the buffet house for dinner. It was decided that the weather was looking pretty good for tomorrow we would wake at 5:00 and try to head out across the lake for 6:00am
Today is our last day of locking on the Erie and Oswego Canal System. Despite the things we had heard, we found it to a great experience. We will miss the fact that you can leave your engines running, four 45 foot boats can fit on one wall, no embuttments and smooth filling and lowering. We made the trip from Phoenix to Oswego in 3 hours and the three diesel boats all filled up at Oswego Marina then we all moved over to the town wall for the night, $20 flat rate and it had hydro. Since the day ended early Jim, Bob and Bryan walked into town to pick up Bob's parts at NAPA and then visited the Fire Museum to see the old engines, it wasn't open but since it is run by retirees they were invited inside for a private tour. Sinced the only meal wew haven't tried this trip was Chinese we headed over to the buffet house for dinner. It was decided that the weather was looking pretty good for tomorrow we would wake at 5:00 and try to head out across the lake for 6:00am
Day 23 - August 12th
Today was going to be long day again. We departed Rome and our destination is Phoenix. Before crossing Onedia Lake we made a stop at Sylvan Beach at the eastern end of the lake. This is a real summer resort town with 4 miles of sandy beach, arcades, rides and all kinds of vendors and entertainment. This was also Jim's fuel stop and we are sure he likely drained their tanks. As we were about to leave Sylvan Beach, Bob's port engine again decided that it wanted to be difficult to start, so Bryan and ourselves headed out across the lake ahead of Jim and Bob. Bryan took advantage of the calm lake and put Lionheart up on plane and took off, while we continued on our normal pace. We almost made it across the lake before the mend job on the sync failed again, so as Jim puts it I now have to drive old school were we know the rpm of one engine and the adjust the other until they sound right. We called ahead to Brewerton Marina and Ess-Kay but nobody had the part I needed so it's without sync the rest of the way home. Bob finally got going and has also ordered the parts he needs from NAPA and we will pick them up in Oswego. With the calm lake Bob also decided to spend a little time on plane, and the wake was impressive. Since Bryan and Chris were so far ahead of us they spent a little time at the Ess-Kay marina to see the stores. Our final stop for the day was Phoenix NY, which is home to the Bridge House Brats, a young group of kids who stay at the town dock to help boaters with most tasks such as hooking up to water, power or getting groceries.
Day 22 - August 11th
The laptop died so I am updating the Day 22 to Day 27 all in one go.
August 11th had us travelling from Little Falls to Herkimer for a quick lunch stop and a visti to the small store along the waterfront. We then travelled from Herkimer to Rome. Very nice town dock at no charge, but there was no water or power, but the weather had changed and the night was not overly hot. While at the Rome dock we finally got the much missed ice cream on this trip so far. For the most part everything has been running well for us all with the small exception that I seem to have lost the function of my synchronizer. Upon closer examination it seems the small flex shaft was slipping and Jim and Bob helped us do a work around solution for now.
The laptop died so I am updating the Day 22 to Day 27 all in one go.
August 11th had us travelling from Little Falls to Herkimer for a quick lunch stop and a visti to the small store along the waterfront. We then travelled from Herkimer to Rome. Very nice town dock at no charge, but there was no water or power, but the weather had changed and the night was not overly hot. While at the Rome dock we finally got the much missed ice cream on this trip so far. For the most part everything has been running well for us all with the small exception that I seem to have lost the function of my synchronizer. Upon closer examination it seems the small flex shaft was slipping and Jim and Bob helped us do a work around solution for now.
Friday, 10 August 2012
Day 21 - August 10th
After a short delay for pump outs, water filling and tightening Bobs stuffing box we departed Amsterdam this morning in what seems our first truly rainy day of this vacation. The drizzle was on and off for most of the day, which helped lower the temperature and humidity. Most surprisingly was the Bald Eagle that was in the same tree that we spotted her in on our trip East just a week ago, although there was some discussion if it was a decoy and planted there for tourists, but after she moved we realised it was a genuine eagle. With the rain the scenery has changed to mist in the mountains. Lock 13 is where the majority of the hurricane damage was done last year and they are replacing half of the control gates, which for now provides quite a current on entering the lock.The good news was there was enough space for us for the night in Little Falls at the town dock for all of us to stay the night. We happen to be here on the start of the Erie's Canal Days celebrations. Not only did we get to see a small town parade, but we also got to board the 111 year old tug URGER. What a beautiful old boat that is being maintained as a National Treasure for all to see. Although originally steam she was outfitted with a 6 cylinder 300hp diesel in 1947 and still runs today, but only as an historical reference as all the canal work is done with the little tug boats of which one I have shown here.
Of course I have forgotten to mention our other travelling companions, Kitten and Emma. These two characters reside on Holidaze and we rarely see them, although on one occasion Kitten made a daring break on the dock to end up walking about our swim platform. We believe there role has been keeping Jim awake on the long days voyages by curling up around his feet.
After a short delay for pump outs, water filling and tightening Bobs stuffing box we departed Amsterdam this morning in what seems our first truly rainy day of this vacation. The drizzle was on and off for most of the day, which helped lower the temperature and humidity. Most surprisingly was the Bald Eagle that was in the same tree that we spotted her in on our trip East just a week ago, although there was some discussion if it was a decoy and planted there for tourists, but after she moved we realised it was a genuine eagle. With the rain the scenery has changed to mist in the mountains. Lock 13 is where the majority of the hurricane damage was done last year and they are replacing half of the control gates, which for now provides quite a current on entering the lock.The good news was there was enough space for us for the night in Little Falls at the town dock for all of us to stay the night. We happen to be here on the start of the Erie's Canal Days celebrations. Not only did we get to see a small town parade, but we also got to board the 111 year old tug URGER. What a beautiful old boat that is being maintained as a National Treasure for all to see. Although originally steam she was outfitted with a 6 cylinder 300hp diesel in 1947 and still runs today, but only as an historical reference as all the canal work is done with the little tug boats of which one I have shown here.
Of course I have forgotten to mention our other travelling companions, Kitten and Emma. These two characters reside on Holidaze and we rarely see them, although on one occasion Kitten made a daring break on the dock to end up walking about our swim platform. We believe there role has been keeping Jim awake on the long days voyages by curling up around his feet.
Thursday, 9 August 2012
Day 20 - August 9th
Departed the Albany Yacht Club for Lock 1 at Troy to begin our journey back up the Erie
Canal . The climb of 180
feet from the Hudson Erie Amsterdam
I am also adding a few photos from our Vintage Aircraft Flight and the highly successful cribbage game night, where the competition believed that style would outperform skill, did I mention that Cathie and I won, once again proving skill always triumphs. Anne embellished our evening with a display of her well found purchases so far on the trip.
Soon it will be time to start looking for Valvtect again, loving the red diesel.
Wednesday, 8 August 2012
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