Thursday Sept 17: Sylvan Beach NY

It rained a good part of Wed night and this morning (Thurs) but finally cleared enough that we headed out about 1 pm. We were at the western end of Oneida Lake (the largest lake actually on the Erie canal) and traveled the 20 mile length east against a 1 foot chop. Pleasant enough with a t-shirt, turtleneck, sweatshirt and windbreaker! We ended up in Sylvan Beach - a very quaint summer resort town with a permanent amusement park. It was like going back to the 50's again! All of the rides that used to be at the traveling fairs + 1 fairly large roller coaster. It's pretty much closed up except one last weekend. Thursday night in Sylvan Beach is the gathering of the old cars - complete with music from the 60's. Steve greatly admired the Firebird and it's door locks! Reminded us of Matt's car!! (Not the locks - just the car.) The beach here is one of the few we have encountered and with it facing west, the sunset was again wonderful. It's funny how the sunset is such a draw - there were lots of folks who came out to see it.

We were able to dock under the bridge over the canal and plug in. We don't have to have electricity but it makes life easier if we do. So far we have travled 355 miles on the Erie canal and the two finger lakes and will travel just another 14 before we turn around and head back to Brewerton where we will leave the boat. Plans for leaving are still up in the air -

Wed Sept 16: Brewerton, NY

We moved on to Brewerton today. A total of 20.8 miles through canal/river. It continues to be very peaceful with few boats traveling the canal this time of year. We stopped at Pirate's Cove and found a home for the boat for the winter. It will be under a covered shed rather than in a building which is probably best as we will want to do some work on the boat when we return in the spring and being under cover would be helpful.

So now that the big question of where has been settled, the question is now when! Steve made a list of things that we would like to do sometime (mostly inside cosmetic but not all). It doesn't seem that many of the things we thought we would work on as we traveled are getting done! So we may stay here a week or so just to spend the time actually working instead of doing any more traveling. Just not sure yet. The weather continues to cool down - with last night into the 40's again.

In the meantime, we are at a marina and are sharing a dock with the 'big boys'! The boat (or should I say yacht) in front of us is from the Cayman Islands. I can't for the life of me figure out how it makes it under the bridges as it appears to me to be HUGE. But I was very excited that we had cable TV - but our luck was that the hookup where we were docked was damaged in the last storm and didn't work!! Oh well. We found the friendly marina cat - I wonder how a cat would like to travel on a boat?

Tuesday, Sept 15

So we spent another night in Baldwinsville - just kind of enjoying the day. It was very cool - especially since we were docked in a spot that had shade most of the day. Spent some time reading and looking out the door. It was fun to see the Canadian geese swimming by. I still remember the very first time we ever saw Canadian geese - it was in Coboconk in the 70's. Who would have guessed that they would in time become the pesky things they are!

Wednesday morning was VERY cool (high 40's) and the mist on the water was pretty fun. Water temperatures are now in the high 60's as the evenings are dropping so low. Steve managed to once again find the perfect supper: lobster! So it was an enjoyable second night in Baldwinsville. Tomorrow: we check out Pirate's Cove marina (where we may leave the boat for the winter).

Monday Sept 14: Baldwinsville, NY

After an enjoyable breakfast at Dewey's canal side restaurant, we said goodbye to Joe and Joy as they headed back to New Hampshire. We filled the water tanks, emptied the holding tank and were then good to go for another week. Steve's idea of sticking the tv antennae on the boat hook was a great one - we ended up with enough channels to see the golf finals as well as the football game Sunday night.

Yesterday was a long travel day (38 miles/6 mph = 6.5 hours of travel) so we stopped and anchored on a small lake for a couple of hours since the day was so perfect. It was a great bird spotting day as we saw 2 adult bald eagles sitting in trees next to the canal (so 30 feet from us), one immature eagle flew right down the canal and over the boat, a couple of osprey were diving and fishing around our anchor spot and to top it off, four adults eagles complete with white head and tail feathers were soaring over the lake! It was really something to see.

The town of Baldwinsville is built around the lock - very similar to Bobcaygeon on the Trent. Mail delivery is working well as we had the mail forwarding service send the mail to general deliver here and we just needed to stop in and pick it up. The only thing we were really looking for were Steve's fishing license and our insurance cards. Both arrived safely. Today is maybe a work day - haven't decided yet :-) Regardless, I think we'll stay another night - it's so nice here.

Just a comment about the fact that we seem to be always wearing the same clothes: we are! Since we wash clothes every other day we end up with the same things being clean and on the top of the shelf so ......

Saturday/Sunday Sept 12,13: Seneca Falls, NY

Joe and Joy Kubit arrived as scheduled from New Hampshire Saturday night. After Steve's usual great dinner, we retired to the flybridge - the night was unusually warm so it was enjoyable being able to sit out in the evening and catch up with friends. Joe kept trying to take a picture at the same time I did but eventually I managed to get one!

Sunday was spent with a drive to Watkins Glenn to see the gorge again - it didn't disappoint (although I wouldn't know as I opted to read in the car :-) Everyone has choices .....) Kubits have a Prius and I was fascinated watching the monitor that showed if the electric motor was propelling us or the gas motor or the battery was charging or not. I would definitely crash if I drove that car for more than 2 miles!

After a ride up the canal and back (and through a lock) we again enjoyed Chef Franko at his best! The afternoon was also kept interesting with Matt's Ironman race in Madison, Wisconsin. We weren't there in person but most certainly were there in spirit and mental cheers as we followed his progress on the internet - Go Matt!!

Joe and Joy are the first to experience staying with us on the boat - the front cabin was - I'm told - sufficiently adequate for a decent night's sleep. You know how it is when sleeping in a strange bed. Anyway, the invitation is open for any and all who have an interest. Joe was kind enough to suggest a quick euchre game Monday morning before they left (the guys killed us Sunday night) so we took advantage of the opportunity to somewhat redeem ourselves and won the game!

Friday Sept 11: Geneva, NY

Today started out as promised: temperatures in the high 50's. Not much sun - and very cool driving from the flybridge. But with an appropriate number of layers (t-shirt, turtleneck, windbreaker and blanket) it was actually enjoyable! We could have moved into the cabin and driven from the lower helm but something about being up top is just irresistable!

The sunset last night was again wonderful. We'll miss them once we are back on the canal. So we headed for Geneva - which is at the very northern end of Seneca Lake. Joe and Joy Kubit (currently in New Hamshire but our former dock neighbors at East 55th in Cleveland) are scheduled to meet us tomorrow at Seneca Falls so we are need to move only 10 miles east of here.

In case anyone thinks we are turning into blobs, the picture left is of our boat docked in front of the Ramada Inn in Geneva. You'll have to look closely :-) We rode along the bike path/park road along the north end of the lake until we were on the other side. It was a gorgeous park with the best play area we've seen so far. What we wouldn't have given to find this along the Trent when the kids were little!

Thursday Sept 10: Return to Samson State Park

After a nice morning of breakfast and bike ride (we found a very nice park overlooking the lake on the other side of the river), we headed off to Samson State Park again. The marina was nice and the gorge was worth the trip but it's supposed to rain tomorrow (Friday).

There is some kind of race tomorrow in Watkins Glenn involving lots of old small cars (or so we are told) that I'm sure a car lover would love. Starts with the downtown festival tomorrow night. Weather prediction: rain and a high of 62 degrees. Sounds like a work-day to me! So we headed up (north) Seneca Lake under mostly cloudy skies. Lots of vineyards along the lake. The wind was at our back and looking down the lake was pretty neat as you couldn't see the end of the lake yet. Steve decided to watch the 'torture tool' we have on board: the fish finder. It is showing a dept of 600 feet and LOTS of fish (and their depth). Sadly, there isn't even enough line of his fishing pole to reach the fish! Plus you really need special fishing equipment to even fish below 60 feet or so.

Tonight: we have ONE channel but it's the one that has the Thursday night football game - I am VERY excited!!!

Wed Sept 9: Watkins Glenn, NY

We reached the south end of Seneca Lake (35 miles long) about noon today and immediately headed for Watkins Glenn State Park (after a lunch of scallop chowder at the restaurant right by the boat). What an amazing place. It would seem that after the waterfalls we've seen recently there wouldn't be much different in another one. How wrong! The falls at Taughannock were basically one waterfall that was in a huge, very wide gorge - the trail was fairly level and after 3/4 of a mile - there it was. We were at the bottom of the gorge and the waterfall fell the 200+ some feet to where we were.

Here there were 11 waterfalls in a very narrow gorge that we were able to walk along for 1 1/2 miles (Steve did the 1 1/2 miles - I stuck to my 3/4) with over 800 steps as you walked from the bottom of the gorge to the top. It was really amazing. I guess with all of the glacier activity around this region, waterfalls are the natural result. I'm learning more about rocks/geology than I ever did in school!

These are just a few pictures of the gorge and waterfalls. Of course it's nothing like the real thing. We also found out there is a heritage race car race this weekend. Apparently the main streets of town close down and the old style race is reenacted. Maybe we'll hang around.

Tuesday Sept 8: Samson State Park, Senca Lake

After a slow start this morning trying to decide where we wanted to go next, we finally headed out about noon to go to the other finger lake: Seneca. We'd heard great things about Watkins Glenn State Park (south end of the lake) with it's gorges and waterfalls. As we don't expect to be back this way again we thought we might as well. The lake itself is over 600 feet deep (width can't be more than 3 miles) - guess we don't want to sink the boat here!

By the way, Seneca Falls was NOT the place "It's a Wonderful Life" was filmed. Upon further investigation, I found it was filmed on a lot in California! So now we are really curious about the Clarence Hotel's claim and will stop by when we backtrack through Seneca Falls on the way to the Erie Canal. The one couple we met that had dinner at the hotel said it was the hotel that claimed this. Interesting ....... Seneca Falls is, by the way, the birthplace of the Women's Rights Movement in the US - lots of info about the history of the meetings that took place.

Though one lock and 10 miles of canal/river to the north end of Seneca Lake. It was like glass - really amazing. We found a state park about 8 miles down the lake to stay for the night. As are all states, NY is hurting for money and the cutbacks can be found in the park system. Very tired marina but peaceful. Steve is contemplating the fish he can see ........

Monday Sept 7: Seneca Falls

So the 'falls' in Seneca Falls is no more. They were flooded when the first canal was dug through the area so no walking to falls today! We went through a double lock on the way - in one lock, up about 20 feet and directly into a second lock with another lift of 20 feet. I'm sure there used to be more than just two locks but couldn't find any info anywhere.

Anyway, we found out the movie "It's a Wonderful Life" was filmed here! So that was pretty fun. There is a Clarence Hotel (named after the angel of course) that we didn't take time to see along with a museum right next to the canal. Since it's supposed to rain in the next couple of days, we decided we could see that stuff on the way back. The plan has changed - we're going to go to Seneca Lake since we are only 10 miles away.

It was a full house at the docks - first time ever. Steve of course was moving boats around so one last person could get in - we've been in that position ourselves (thinking that if everyone just squeezed together there would be room for us) so it was nice to be able to help someone else out. Chinese for lunch - breakfast place scouted. Life is good....

Sunday Sept 6: Castillo's Marine - north Cayuga Lake

Anchoring out was great - full moon, no wind and just a couple of sailboats around us. The day weather was again perfect as was evidenced by the number of people out enjoying the day at the park we were anchored next to (Taughannock State Park). We were told we HAD to see the Taughannock Falls -falling over 200 feet into a gorge. But you know how the guide books can lead you astray so Steve kayaked to shore to check it out. He returned with the report that yes - they were a must see. The best part was he brought back ice cream for desert from the concession stand!

So after breakfast on board this morning (this is only about the 3rd breakfast on board as we manage to always find the local "Shay's" wherever we go :-) ), we dinghied to shore and walked the 3/4 of a mile to the falls. I have come away from this experience knowing that 3/4 of a mile to the falls is beyond my limit of wanting to hike in the woods! Anyway, the falls was again really incredible. The gorge and the rock formations were probably as good as any we've seen anywhere.

Tonight we are at the same marina we stayed at last week - a short 10 miles from the Erie Canal. It has been so nice being on the lake but we are ready to continue making our way east. Tomorrow though we may detour for another day to Seneca Falls. I am praying that the falls are a) dried up and no longer there or b) are not farther than 1/2 mile away!!

Saturday, Sept 5: Anchored out

So this morning, Steve convinced me that I just HAD to see Buttermilk falls in person, so off we went. Breakfast at the Main St Diner in Ithaca that has been there since forever and then off to the falls. The diner had the coolest booths: no bench seat but rather 2 fold down seats on each side. Never saw that before! Anyway, the falls were indeed worth the ride. I did however relearn the concept of momentum: the tendency for one's body has to remain moving even though the bike has stopped :-( Nothing broken and only one cut!

Saw lots of crewing from both Cornell and Ithaca University - it was almost as though you could walk across the river on them. Also saw a 10 person canoe - complete with the 'drummer' at the bow of the canoe. Didn't look like fun if you ask me! We left Ithaca about 11 - with the goal of anchoring out Saturday night somewhere close to Taughannock Point (about 8 miles north). The weather continues to be almost perfect - mid-70's and sunny during the day and 50's at night.

Downtown Ithaca itself is what you would expect from an city whose major focus the is the educational institutions located there. Apparently it is the start of the term and students have arrived back in droves.

We spent the last two nights at a state marina - great bike paths once again!

Friday Sept 4: Ithaca, NY

The ride south to the end of Cayuga Lake and Ithaca was amazing - the water at it's deepest is over 400 feet! Watching the deptfinder was like seeing the bottom which changed from a very flat 350 feet to what must have been moutains under the water with the water depth jumping from 40 to 70 to 120 and back to 30 feet as we traveled at 8 mph.

Steve tried fishing but unfortunately we weren't able to spot any fish (he trying for brown trout) due to a lack of experience setting the fish finder. This has been remedied though so look out fish tomorrow!

As I enjoyed some alone time, Steve ended up biking a LONG way to the Buttermilk Falls State Park and then another long hike (uphill of course) to the falls itself. He said I should have come - right.

Quick kayaking finished off the afternoon - this having been the only place since we were over by the islands that was even remotely a decent place to go. Saw lots of tree ducks - reminded us of Aptos :-)

Thursday Sept 3: Cayuga Lake NY

We've traveled about 60 miles in the last two days after leaving Lyons, NY and are currently in Ithaca which is located at the south end of Cayuga Lake. The canal became very overgrown after leaving Lyons - I felt like we were on the river ride in Disneyworld and awaited a rising hippo or a roaring lion! We did see several eagles and finally osprey! The canal appears to be quite polluted with runoff from farmlands and towns so the osprey and eagles were a sign of good water to come.

The Montezuma Wildlife Refuge had a small dock off of the canal so we stopped and visited their center. This refuge area is one of many along the migrating bird routes and as such provides a protected area for rest as they make their way south. Some of the birds go as far as South American each year. Actually it was quite interesting -- and as always we came away with a renewed appreciation for the work being done to help preserve areas like this.

Once on Cayuga Lake (the longest of the finger lakes in New York at 38 miles), we remembered why it was that we really like being on a lake rather than the canal! The water is once again clear and inviting. We found a nice marina 7 miles down the lake (Union Springs, NY) and spent Wednesday night there. Finally - a sunset! It had been many evenings without being able to see a real sunset due to the enclosed nature of the canal.

Tuesday Sept 1: Lyons, NY

Travel distance was again very short - only about 6 miles. It included going through 3 locks though so it took a little longer than usual. The locks vary in drop - the shortest was 10 feet and the deepest was 22 feet. As we move east, we are getting closer and closer the the elevation of Lake Ontario. The biggest drop will be when we reach the Oswego Canal. It's only 22 miles long but has 7 locks. Basically the locks are dropping us the height of Lake Erie to the height of Lake Ontario - but in a much better way than Niagara Falls! Check out this animated look at how the locks actually work: http://www.starling101.btinternet.co.uk/canals/lckworks.htm# (Cut and paste into the address bar if the link doesn't work.) Note: be sure to use the back arrow to return to this blog site.

I came across a McDonalds on my bike ride - good thing I didn't have my wallet as I would surely have given in to the temptation for a nice cheeseburger :-) It's been a long time since we have even seen a McDonalds!

Today was also laundry day. I LOVE this little washer/dryer!!! Not that there aren't plenty of laundromats along the way in these towns but to not have to drag everything including detergent and softener around is just nice. I still don't know how it works. It washes the clothes and then automatically goes into dry mode. The loads have to be small but that works fine for us. Sometimes I just sit and watch it do it's thing ..... The most amazing thing is how it fits in the spot in the aft cabin. Of course we had to take it apart to get it into the aft cabin but well worth the time.

Supper tonight was Steve cooking ribs on the barbecue. It's his favorite way to cook - especially on such a nice evening as tonight. Tomorrow we pass under the LOWEST bridge on the canal (most are 16.5 feet and I am always wondering if we are really going to make it under) at 15.5 feet. May have to lower the flybridge canvas to pass under.