Day 32: When we returned from Niagara Falls, we were pleased to find that the source of the stench (dead eel flies on the water) was gone, and so was the smell! YAY! We are guessing they just all finally sunk! Amen to that! We were looking forward to leaving the smell behind, but glad it left us first. Amazing what a difference a day makes!
We left Brewerton after breakfast headed toward Oswego where we planned to spend a day or two before entering Lake Ontario and crossing into Canada. We did leave the fleet behind, since CODA needed to get hauled out, bottom cleaned and painted, and bow thruster repaired. CODA was hauled this morning and should be ready to go by Wednesday. SAGA is celebrating Annette’s 13th birthday, so some teenager land based shenanigans were in order, and Lil Sudden is serving as temporary housing for the CODA crew who are not allowed to sleep on their boat on land. With tomorrow (Tues) looking like a partial ‘Zoom Call Day’ for the Legacy crew, we figured we’d cover some ground while the fleet hung out in Brewerton (at least it didn’t smell anymore!) and catch up with them in a day or two. Our plan for the day was to ‘go as far as we go’, since rain was in the forecast.
We passed through our last lock on the Erie Canal (E23), a small 6.9’ drop and made the strategic right turn at 3 Rivers Junction into the Oswego canal. We proceeded thru 3 Oswego locks (O1-O3) with vertical drops of 10.2’, 17.8’ and 27’ respectively. Decided to stop for the day just south of lock 5 (there is no lock 4) as the skies darkened and we heard thunder in the distance.
Check out the video below to experience a lock! This is E23 and being only 6.9’ was hoping the video wouldn’t be too long. Sorry it’s a stationary view, but we can’t be filming and manage the boat at the same time!
‘Sea No Evil’ left about an hour before us, the marina having ‘no room at the inn’ for them for the night, so we thought we might catch up with them along the way; Runaway, Nice Aft, Summer Breeze, Beachside, Into the Mystic and Gemini had all left the day before and were already in Oswego or beyond, depending on their pace. We passed Sea No Evil just before lock 3 – looks like they had already decided to hunker down on the wall with the threat of a storm.
Found a lovely little river park (Minetto Riverview Park) with a suggested donation of $1.00/foot for an overnight stay to be left in the locked drop box. We were greeted by Dave, the town animal control officer who lives across the street. Dave is going to leave the restrooms and showers unlocked for us overnight, left us his card and home phone number, and instructions to call anytime if we needed anything. Gotta love small town America!
The rain arrived and we were happy to be tucked in safe. First real rainy day since we left 32 days ago. Onto Oswego in the morning where we’ll settle in for a day or two!
Natalie
Loving your pictures and journal!