Saturday, June 21, 2003

Lay Day at Waterford.  Bike ride to wine store for re-supply. Lazy day and heavy rain late afternoon, pizza on board for dinner.  Hopefully we start the Erie Canal in the AM.

Sunday, June 22, 2003

Got tired of waiting with some other boats for the sun at the free Waterford (NY) docks (pix) and just shoved off around 9:30 a.m. and into Erie Canal Locks 2-7 (there is no lock 1). Actually, we did ok, especially since we were in there all alone.  Lots of room and just held our boat off the walls with boat hooks, lines and luck, oh I mean the captain's skill. First Mate is writing this today, so she can comment. We only had a little rain, and the Mohawk River was beautiful, especially the Dam (pix) in Lock 7 (pix). We actually locked up 169 feet in the first 5 locks; can't wait to go down. Wow. Tried to dock at a public free dock in Scotia, that now is not open to the public, and instead headed back to the Schenectady Yacht Club, which was delightful and full of history. The sun came out and we celebrated by eating Chinese dinners on board, from Lucky Wok (***1/2). (Pos: N 42-51.1; W 73-53.2)

Monday, June 23, 2003

On to Lock 11 on a beautiful, sunny, day (HOORAY). Tied up on the upper wall and observed locking ops with lockmaster Cindy (pix). This lock is the site of the Guy Park House (pix), an historic, beautiful old building, now housing the local Chamber of Commerce. We biked 2 miles to downtown Amsterdam, NY.  Talk about a dying, depressed city, this is one. Marvelous dinner at Russo's Italian Bar & Grill, with fabulous baked Zita (note the spelling, not a typo) (*****). (Pos: N 42-56.9; W 74-12.7)

Tuesday, June 24, 2003

A second glorious day in a row. We passed the 2,000 mile mark in the early AM. The Mohawk Valley portion of the Canal is truly beautiful (pix). Arrived noontime in Canajoharie, (Mohawk for "the pot that washes itself") referring to a large pothole in the creek. Arkell Hall (pix), home of the son of the inventor of the paper bag and founder of the Beech-Nut Co. Exhausted as usual, the Captain napped on a swing seat in the beautiful riverfront park here (pix). Dinner and music at Peruzzi's Meat Market, pick a steak and they BBQ it in the back for you(****). (Pos: N 42-54.6; W 74-34.2)

Wednesday, June 25, 2003

Hot and Sunny day-locks 14-18 to Herkimer, NY.  Lovely homes right on the canal (pix). Herkimer is home to the famous Herkimer Diamonds. Gerry found one in the gravel next to our boat (pix). Dinner at Applebee's(****). (Pos: N 43-01.0; W 75-00.0) PS: Forgot to mention a gracious gentleman, Hal Hennessey, who was our tour guide in Canajoharie yesterday. Thanks again Hal!

Thursday, June 26, 2003

Long , hot, sunny day to Brewerton, NY across Lake Oneida. Met old friends, Trev and Annette on Duty Free. Trev had a heart scare and returned briefly to England, to find only gall bladder problem. They will resume the loop in a couple of days. Dinner at Buoy's(*).( Pos: N 43-14.6; W 76-09.6)

Saturday, June 28, 2003

Another gorgeous sunny day, on to Lock 24, Baldwinsville. Lunch with baker John (pix) at the Patisserie (*****) and met with Gerry's old college friend, Norm Soine and his wife Cindy (pix). Norm is the brew master at Syracuse Suds (pix), the first Pub Brewery in town. Dinner at the Lock 24 Restaurant (*****) followed by concert at Paper Mill Island across the water from our dock at the lock wall (pix). (Pos: N 43-09.4; W 76-20.2)

Sunday, June 29, 2003

It's hard to believe that summer is finally here on the Erie Canal. We have had 7 mostly sunny days in a row, 2 of which were in the high 89's-90. A little cooler air moved in today when we left the Erie Canal and entered the Cayuga-Seneca Canals and docked at Seneca Falls, NY, the home of the women's rights movement and Goulds Pumps (one of Gerry's old customers). The canal was peaceful and we spotted herons, Canadian geese, horses, cows (pix) and a few beavers or otters of some sort as well as a family of ducks with 10 little babies. This lock system leads into the Cayuga and Seneca Finger Lakes and wine country, which we will be exploring in the next few days. We are at a free public dock in downtown Seneca Falls, but as it is Sunday, almost everything is closed, so we ate on board across the canal (after Lock 3) from the old Seneca Knitting Mills (pix). Good chutney wine pork chops and a great bottle of Australian merlot. (*****) (Pos: N 42-54.6; W 76-47.9)

Monday, June 30, 2003

ANOTHER beautiful day!! Crossed Seneca Lake, so deep that the US Navy still does research on the lake (600'+). Crossed with loopers Paul and Sue Graham on Odyssey *(a beautiful, teal hull Great Harbor 37) just leaving Watkins Glen as we were arriving. They suggested we dock at Watkins Glen Yacht Club, which we did. Nice folks.  Explored town with dinner at Wildflower Cafe (*****). (Pos: N 42-22.8; W 76-51.6) *Sorry, Paul & Sue-no pix due to camera mishap!

 Tuesday, July 1, 2003

What a day-where to start? The good part was we biked early to Watkins Glen State Park and did part of the beautiful gorge trail (pix). A mile and 1/2 with 832 steps. Needless to say we only did a portion. We planned to take the shuttle to the top and walk down, but it was not available when we got there. We left for Seneca Falls about 9:30 but had engine problems and returned. Talked with Aaron and Cummins and are awaiting a filter tomorrow. Our spare was wrong, that came with the Cummins spare kit. Oh well, they are overnighting the correct one from Florida , no charge. Next our freezer crapped out again, but the good news is they are shipping us a new one before we return this one.  No charge for shipping, we should have it next week. A couple of other problems today, but only minor, so no comments there. On the bright side, another nice day and the folks at the Yacht Club are as nice as can be. Went to a Dixieland concert in the town park, which was an enjoyable respite after a long day.

Wednesday, July 2, 2003

BAD DAY today again. New filter from Cummins but we blew the exhaust hose on the way out.  Second one in 2 1/2 years and this one only 6 1/2 months.  Back to Watkins Glen Yacht Club, more tomorrow. It's late tonight and the Captain is tired and frustrated. Also today my cell phone went belly up, but got a ride to store for a replacement. They couldn't salvage the phone's address book, so if you don't hear from me you know why.

addendum

Feeling a little better after some sleep. Need to mention Kudos for the day as we have had a lot of nice people helping out. First to the jet skier who stopped to help us out on the Lake and followed us in to port. We didn't get his name but he certainly typifies a boater helping another boater, which we find is one of the greatest joys of boating.  Boat people are the BEST. Second to Howard and Myrna Levine. Howard is the Vice-Commodore of the Yacht Club, who so kindly took us to the Verizon store and dinner (Ruby Tuesday's ****) and in general has been a gracious host. Third to John at the Verizon store, thanks again John. Fourth to Allen Grippe at Mainship who is doing his best to get a new hose to us from Georgia. And of course, my crutch, Aaron Rawls back home, who I always turn to in time of boat need and who is a true friend. Lastly, Dale Boggus from Cummins in Tampa who has been a great source for advice and who so kindly shipped us 2 new fuel filters, gratis and overnight. Also, in general, all the members here at the yacht club, who have treated us as one of their own. THANKS Watkins Glen Yacht Club!! Stay tuned to the Sea Knight Saga (it is a boat, after all)!

Thursday, July 3, 2003

Lay Days 'till Monday at least.  Received the new hose from Mainship as promised, thanks Allan, but no help to replace 'till Monday at the earliest. Borrowed a car, thanks Howard, did wine tour around Lake Senaca (pix) and dinner at Glenora Winery (***1/2). Gerry's lamb chops (pix) were good, but Captain's ostrich and frogs legs were not so appetizing.

Friday-Sunday, July 4-6, 2003 (Independence day weekend)

Highlights: Evening of 4th at Clute Park on the south shore of Lake Seneca (pix) for band concert and fireworks (pix). Saturday we toured Corning Glass Museum in Corning, NY, a not to be missed experience. Magnificent displays, history, explanations of the craft, etc.  See pix of a chess set and Gerry's patriotic horse. Met Roger Selander, a member of the yacht club, who is one of the master engravers who help produce this beautiful glass work. Saturday night dinner with Howard and Myrna Levine at the Decoy (****). Sunday brunch at the world famous Seneca Lodge with Howard and Myrna, and a relaxing day at the yacht club. Here's hoping to be on the way tomorrow.  Help is due to arrive at 8AM.  Stay tuned!!

Monday, July 7, 2003

HOORAY!! Underway again.  Exhaust hose was replaced and we made an uneventful trip back to Seneca Falls. There was a massive failure of the hose.  It is being sent back to Mainship.  An engineer boater up here suspects an improper exhaust elbow/hose design. Hope Mainship will respond. (Pos: N 42-54.6; w 76-47.9)

Tuesday, July 8, 2003

Good day- left Seneca Falls, site of the magnificent Trinity Church (pix), the most impressive we've seen to date.  On to Newark, NY on the Canal. We're starting to see many canal rental boats (pix). Nice weather, beautiful public facility on the Canal with water, free pump-out, free electric and of all things, free laundry in beautiful shower/restroom facility. Another 5***** star dinner at The Corner. (Pos: N 43-02.9; W 77-05.6)

Wednesday, July 9, 2003

Another beautiful day in upstate NY.  On to Fairport, the "jewel" of the Canal.  A picture perfect little village with great amenities for boaters; shops, eateries, churches, and the busiest ice cream shop I've ever seen. (Pos: N 43-06.1; W 77-26.4)

Thursday, July 10, 2003

Grey day, raining cats and dogs right now.  Feels like we're back on the Chessie. Left Fairport and backtracking now, at Newark again.  Another good dinner at The Corner and early to bed. Mainship is working with Cummins and hopefully the exhaust hose manufacturer to try and determine the root cause of our exhaust problems. (Pos. same as Tuesday: N 43-02.9; W 77-05.6)

Friday, July 11, 2003

On to visit new boating friends on Cayuga Lake in Hibiscus Harbor. The wind kicked up a bit on the Lake, but we didn't have to go far and were snug in our slip by 1 pm with our nosey neighbor Elsie the cow checking us out across the channel (pix). Les and Mike on Ambrosia (60+ ft. Burger yacht) gave us their BMW convertible for a ride around the countryside and we toured the incredible farm artisan workshop and restaurant of MacKenzie-Childs. The small restaurant and bar were incredibly designed and when you look up, furniture, china and artifacts are hung upside down on the ceiling (pix). Gerry was so overwhelmed in the shop (pix) that all we bought was a loaf of great French bread. We had cocktails and Gerry's famous chicken pancakes on Ambrosia and then headed out to dinner in Aurora, a beautiful little lakeside town at the Aurora Inn with friends of Les and Mike's. (****-1/2 ). (Pos: N 42-51.4; W 76-42.4)

Saturday-Sunday, July 12-13, 2003

Left beautiful Cayuga Lake after bacon and eggs breakfast on board and hit choppy green water (pix), but only had to cross about 10 miles to reach the Cayuga-Seneca Canal, passing little grass shacks that Gerry thought were dilapidated tiki bars, but actually were duck blinds. Ran slow to Baldwinsville, back on the Erie Canal (pix), past the old Richmond Aqueduct (pix), checking temps on the new exhaust hose and arrived to find the main terminal wall across from the amphitheatre full, but tied up through Lock 24 on the east side instead. It was cool and windy, but more private than last time we stopped going in the other direction. We had lunch at the Patisserie again and dinner at Lock 24, both good. Sunday morning walked to Dunkin' Donuts and left for Winter Harbor Marina in Brewerton around 8:30 a.m., again going slow to take care of the hose. Happy to arrive with absolutely beautiful weather, having washed the boat inside and out and now ready for the engine experts to check out our problems before going on to Canada. (Pos: N 43-14.6; W 76-09.60)

Monday, July 14, 2003

Maintenance lay day.  Mechanic pulled raw water impeller, slight tear-pump shaft wobbles-front seal leaking-new pump due tomorrow. Mechanic thinks this will solve exhaust hose problem but I'm skeptical. Let's hope so, though. Stay tuned.

Tuesday, July 15, 2003

Mechanical lay day# 2.  No pump install today.  Visited Syracuse where Captain Tom entertained at the Erie Canal Museum (Pix), saw the beautiful Town Hall (Pix), and the carousel at the Carousel Mall (Pix). Saw the movie "Pirates of the Caribbean" and dinner on the boat.

Wednesday, July 16, 2003

Thursday, July 17, 2003

Left Phoenix and the "Bridge House Brats"(pix) who served us breakfast and sent us on our way on a beautiful sunny day.  Arrived at Oswego, the gateway to Lake Ontario, a vibrant town with a PM farmers market and another beautiful town hall (pix). Met up with old cruise friends, Joyce and Shaef, on Ducky and shared a wine filled dinner, followed by a riverfront concert. (Pos: N 43-27.2; W 76-30.4)

Next Chapter: Phoenix, NY - Rouses Point, NY (Canada) - July 17, 2003 to August 25, 2003