Baldwinsville to Rome to Ilion

The winds calmed allowing us to cross Oneida Lake. The lake is shallow and the strong winds make her choppy.  The locals strongly advised us to wait it out.   Oneida is about 20 miles long, a couple miles wide and kicks up.  We travelled along going through locks to Oneida Lake.  The lake was calm and thankfully uneventful.  Heading on to Rome made a long day.  Rome was only a wall to tie to w/o amenities (it's amazing how much you get for free!).  It was a 10 hour day with lots of sun and heat.  We made a cold dinner, had cold beverages, turned on the fans and went to bed.   The night welcomed a refreshing thunderstorm.  The mayor arrived with his wife and welcomed us to Rome!

1838 Selkirk Light

Entering Oneida Lake

Part of old canal

Lots of Herons

Short day to Ilion where we welcome the amenities including cable tv.  An Aldi's grocery store down the hill (which means up the hill with your purchases).   Caught up on laundry.  It's an interesting combination to have a campground and marina together.  Oh!  Found a tree along the way to Ilion just under the surface in the middle of the river.  Still waiting to inspect for damage.  We begin to see remnants of last years storm.  Fellow cruisers inform us we will see considerably more. 

Newark to Lyons to Baldwinsville

Entered the first Lock on this stretch and the attendant informed us to watch for the PT boat on its way!  Word is this one in particular was used in McHale's Navy (tv program) and other movies & programs.  It indeed came right by us in Lyons just above the Lock so going extremely slow providing a good photo op.  

The Lyons Fire Dept. back is along the docking wall and opens their doors for restroom and showers for boaters.  Very nice facility.    We spent 2 nights in Lyons before heading to Baldwinsville.

Baldwinsville is a pleasant, busy area with the main industry being the big Budweiser plant.  Again, a nice wall tie up with electricity and water, shade trees and tables.  The electricity is the only charge = $5.00/day.    Ended up spending 5 nights because of high winds, high temperatures.  Budweiser built an amphitheater on "Papermill Island" which is next to Lock 24, between the Lock and the Dam.  One night we were entertained by the High School Marching Band playing rock 'n roll.  This band went to Florida in tough competition and just smoked everybody.  A bunch of talented kids, amazing sound for a high school group.

So, what else to do?  We rented a car for a couple of days and explored the Finger Lakes. Lots of wine tasting and exploring.  The Finger Lakes were formed during the Ice Age - absolutely beautiful.  Drove down to the end of Seneca Lake through Watkins Glen and up around Cayuga Lake.   The area reminded us of Leelanau Peninsula.   The high winds remained so kept the car for one more day and explored Oswego NY where the Oswego Canal connects with Lake Ontario. 

The winds calmed considerably and what we had waited for - Oneida Lake calmed down for our next stretch.

Senaca Lake

Tour Boat

Aqueduct

A float-plane on the canal

Hot in Newark NY

Praise the Lord for air conditioning - whew it is hot.  We see that back home in Michigan it is hot also with a cooling front coming for tomorrow.  It will be Friday before it gets here and we will welcome her.  The boat is cooled down nicely throughout the night with the a/c running that we decided to stay right here in Newark NY today where Mark could look into the transmission leak.  Walking around the town last evening we found a Napa store and well, the handwriting was on the wall.  This is the second time in a week a Napa store has been close when needed!   It took over 2 hours from pull apart, walk to Napa, put back together and the leak is fixed.  Blessed & grateful Mark has the knowledge & ability to fix most anything.  
Tomorrow we head for Lyons NY which is not that far but there are 3 locks we'll go through.  The lift bridges are done and only locks remain for us along the Canal.  Our mail should be waiting for us in Lyons.  By our chartbook it looks like we will see more historical things i.e. old locks and old canal.   Even though there are accommodations to tie up and explore, the water depth we need for the boat is not always enough.

Where we've been and where we are

We left Buffalo to Tonawanda, where we sat last September for a couple of weeks waiting to hear the demise of the Erie Canal.   It's exciting to start the Canal and see what it's really like!  I think from the pictures posted a couple days ago you get the idea of what we see: farms, homes, bridges, orchards, llhama farms and lush green fields and trees.  Birds are singing, ducks and geese are floating along with their babies.  Occasionally we meet an oncoming boat, but not often.  Quiet, serene - like Mark said 'a Disney movie expecting the blue birds to come land on our shoulders and sing a song' ...oh boy.

Our first stop was Gasport where we tied on a wall next to a park.  We mosied on the next morning to Middleport where again we tied up along a wall but then decided to go a bit further to Medina.  Medina is a small city working hard to revitalize their town and Canal front.   It's a treat to have power, water and restrooms all at one place along the Canal!  I walked downtown into some shops and people were friendly - walked into The English Rose Tea Shop meeting the owner, Cindy.  While chatting I asked if she knew anything about a Veterinarian and how far away one might be.  Chester had developed a small lump on his knee that was sore and bothering him.  She said 'oh, my husband is the Vet', asked what was wrong & called him.  Next thing we are in her vehicle on our way to the Vet!  And that is the home-town-friendliness of Medina.  And Chester is fine.

On to Brockport - Welcomed by a tall, red brick old building with "Ivory Soap...It Floats" on the side!  Shops, restaurants, ice cream.   Mark road his bike around to see if he could find a propane fill station.  He came back about 30 minutes later, boarded the boat and made the quiet comment of 'I'm gonna die' followed by a little heavy breathing.

Spencerport came next.   Ah, the Tops Supermarket is 2 blocks away!  We replenished grocery supplies.  People are very friendly.  Each time we have docked along a canal wall with grassy areas, benches, picnic tables and paved walkway.   Lots of hi's, where you headed, where you from, dog walkers.  Chester has become an escape artist when he sees another dog, not good but soon to be corrected!

Next stop is Fairport where we are as I write.  Lots of people out across the canal getting ice cream.  We both enjoy seeing families walking along.  Good chance of weather coming in tonight and tomorrow so may just sit here for another day.

The canal adventure begins

Ahhhh....The Erie Canal.  The first leg was back to Tonnawanda. Sure seems familiar. Now it's time to start! The first part of the canal is actually an existing river. A little wider and natural banks. The creek splits off shortly and the dug part begins. The first set of locks is at Lockport. There are two locks together. You are lowered in the first, then the door opens and you go into the second. A word on "locking thru". You call ahead and the lockmaster gives you directions..like "will open shortly". After the gate opens a green light comes on, meaning proceed. Once in the lock, 338 feet long by 45 ft wide, you loop bow and stern lines around ropes or cables thet are attached top and bottom. You hold onto your lines and as the boat lowers, your lines slide down. Fenders are very important. This is very easy and nothing happens fast. When the water reaches the lower level, the doors open, you slide the docklines out, and you are on your way. So far, three locks down, 31 to go.
There are many lift bridges on the west section of the canal. Again communication is important.
The lockmasters and bridge tenders are very friendly and helpfull. They ask how far you are going and call ahead to let the next bridge/lock expect you. This can be very nice as some bridge tenders cover two bridges. That means they drive to the other bridge, so you may have to wait. Nice walls to tie on. Also they may call you to check your progress so they can be ready. Totally different than what we are used to.

Back in Buffalo

Here we are in Buffalo NY again to continue on with our cruising.  The boat launched without problems and the marina is gracious to give us a slip for 5 days enabling us to get prepared to leave.   Fellow boat owners will understand this statement:  it's always something.  Mark fills the water tanks and gets the water heater ready and it leaks from the bottom.  Sigh.  Called the local West Marine and amazingly enough they had one in stock.  IN STOCK.  Not one but two!!  Mark installed it and as he says 'a good time was had by all'.  Groceries purchased and put away.  Last night we went to Subway and sat along the Niagara River.  We ended our day with a gorgeous sunset.  Plans to leave in the morning toward the Erie Canal.