Days Events:

Wx - forecast 71/54, sunny, wds W 4-13+.

Travel - left Utica at 08:30, traveled 28 miles over 4.5 hr through 3 locks. The first lock was another 'Up' one, but then the next two were the beginning of 'Down' - they were 16', 25', and 25' respectively. We were in the canal the whole distance, arriving at Sylvan Beach Free Dock [a bulkhead built by the NYS Canal System] at 13:00/1pm. It was tres windy there and no one around to help, with only steel rings in the concrete to connect to, which one cannot grab with a boat hook; fortunately, a boater riding his bicycle stopped and could see our problem and caught a line from us and we were secured. With all the wind [NE at 15], we put out extra lines; unfortunately there is a ring missing in the middle but we used three others and we are good for the night.

No one else tied here. Still bit choppy at 5pm but we've been in worse; and, as the Admiral says, you get what you pay for. A pile of pontoon boats around here - likely mostly because there is a 22 mile long lake next to us.

Although there are several restaurants nearby, and one with a small casino, we have leftover pork tenderloin and lemon potatoes to finish -- along with a mixed berry cobbler. I am well fed!

Photos - took one of our Margaritas to-go from the restaurant last night - they used small sealer jars, salted the rims, and put in a small 2 jar carrier - neat, and very tasty!

-- one of my favorite time - sunrise of course.

-- a Guard Gate notice told us one gate was down for repairs and could only use the North one - photo shows the left side down.

-- our bulkhead face dock at Sylvan Beach - chose it, on the East side of bridge, to reduce the wind chop on the other side of the bridge, where several boats were already tied up, although they do not look like 'overnighters'; definitely choppier along there.

Beer report - had another local craft beer from Utica Club, suggested to try by the bartender there - a Pilsener Lager - reported to be the first beer produced legally after prohibition! Nice lager [but still not a pale ale].

Admirals Desk:

A pretty easy day until the dilemma of how to snag a dock ring in the wind. I caught one with the boat hook but I couldn't hold on against wind. The pole was pulled out my hand but luckily it was caught in the ring and didn't fall in the water! A local boater saved the day. A more nimble person could have jumped onto the dock with a line. And municipal free docks, compared to the marinas we've stayed at, prove how spoiled we are!

The Margaritas: very tasty indeed but the cute little jars were much too little!!

The TV: definitely need a new one! It's old, the speakers are shot and doesn't play well with other sending devices. The connections occasionally come loose if we have rough water. Checking connections means removing drawers.😝😝 We're also dependent on a decent cell signal for WiFi/Fire stick to pick up anything, but that is a separate issue from the TV.

The dishes are glaring at me so that's all for tonight.

Maintenance:

Nothing to report; no change in oils, nor in the 'wetness' of the air cleaner regulators; only a bit of debris in the strainers. All appears well [for now].

Tomorrow - assuming there is no change in wx, will run to Brewerton and the EssKay [boat] yard. Called them today to confirm we could come early [at by 10:00] so we could get ahead of the increasing winds and potential TSMs - no problem.

In a moment of serindipity, a sailboat without his mast pulled in to the wall in front of us [winds had dropped fortunately]; this is home for him and he knows the lake, which can be quite rough. He felt we should be fine to go tomorrow early a.m. with the winds out of the East, as long as we are across before they switch to the West around 11:00. So we will be departing before 07:30 and run at 10-12mph.

Travel Plans - have booked an Enterprise SUV for a week, once we arrive in Alex.Bay; some folks are having trouble getting a 1-way rental, but we didn't [except for the large drop off fee; considered getting a U-Haul cargo van but Margaret looked at me like I was dried up toad, so no].

-- we are now at day T-7.

Covid - see lots of folks with masks walking along boardwalk.

That's all today.

Not great news lately, what with the fires in California and the hurricanes in the Gulf. Our empathies are with all those effected.

Stay safe.

Comments:

Dd - 27 Aug 2020: You guys might run into after effects of Laura! Stay well.

Susie and Jim R. - 27 Aug 2020: What a wonderful adventure a la Mark Twain you guys have given us during these very trying times here at home. Have so looked forward to catching up with you daily. Thank you. Thank you. Enjoy the next 7 days and get home safely.

Ernie R - 27 Aug 2020: What did you all do with the rest of the Marg-aritaes, know you did not just get two!! Hope Laura does not rock you around much