Days Events:

Wx - forecast 61/75, winds NW 8-12, cloudy to sunny.

Travel - left Brewerton at 07:50, traveled 33 miles in 6.2 hrs, arriving at Oswego Marina on L.Ontario at 14:05/2:05 pm. Wx was great, no boat traffic, but could not really go much faster than 6-8 mph due to homes with docks/boats along the way; as well as a total of 8 locks - 1 on the Erie Canal, and 7 on the Oswego Canal; the shortest 7 ft, the highest 27 ft. The Oswego locks are definitely in better shape than the Erie's; we had every lock to ourselves; no problems except for wind in the last few; they have ropes and cables to secure to. The last 3 were within the final mile - we just went from one, immediately to the next, and to the last one. All the lockmasters have been friendly and helpful, notifying the next one we were on the way; so our time in the locks was only 5-10min. each and added little to our total time.

Today we celebrate - no more locks this year! We have been through a total of 50 since March 1! Erie Canals are the worst unfortunately and really need some maintenance.

We have now reached a northern climate - humidity and temperature are down - and we certainly appreciate it.

Marina - Oswego Marina is off an inlet to L.Ontario; we are tied up next to the fuel dock, under a crane [used for sailboat mast removal or setting], but don't mind since it will be easier to depart tomorrow; winds were quite forceful[15 kts] but fortunately two people were there to grab a bow spring line which enabled me to pivot against it to bring the stern in against the wind. They have just renovated the fuel dock/office/showers/etc. Nice place. See photos.

Sitting here with door open, sun out, temp 65, rocking a bit in wind, sharing a scotch and chips, we can hear church bells near by!

Photos - one shows the sign at the junction of the Erie and Oswego Canals - we turned North and went 24 miles down the Oswego to the inlet to L.Ontario. [zoom in and can read the sign]

-- there are some homes along the canals and the changing tree color is beginning to be evident; there are low hills on both sides; definitely a change in architecture.

-- Oswego town is at the inlet and you can see L.Ontario over the breakwater [sort of, if you use your imagination]; the marina office and fuel dock is on the canal and inlet, with L.Ontario in background; the marina view shows our boat under the 'crane'.

-- a night shot by the Admiral of the Oswego marina area.

Admirals Desk:

Greetings from the shore of Lake Ontario.

We are enjoying the cooler northern air. The silence of no a/c units or fans running is wonderful.

After talking with our son Jeff we have identified the spitting (pitooey, pitooey, pitooey) barnacles as zebra mussels. Saw more today. Pitooey! A very invasive species. They're a reminder that we may be carrying unwanted stuff on our hull as we move thru so many waterways.

We are pooped and glad we won't see another lock until next year. 8 in one day, although all pretty easy, is about 7 too many. Our previously shiny, white, waxed fenders will never recover. We are looking like a Looper boat; boat needs a bath and waxing, rub rail has been rubbed, extra lines are hanging on the e bike on the aft deck as well as the ladder, and the ladder is too handy to not hang other stuff on! (Ernie, you would be appalled!).

Thankfully, leftovers tonight. Tomorrow's dining option will use the remaining shrimp in the freezer.

That's all. Even leftovers create dishes to wash.

Maintenance:

The oils, etc are all fine. Steering has no problems. D.A. needs a really good bath though, after being through the locks for the past couple of weeks.

The generator strainer was impacted with leaf/reed/weed so cleaned it out. The other strainers seem fine but will clean anyway in Alex.Bay when we get there.

Cleaned the worst of the lock crud [mud/slime/rust/mussels] off the fenders and the rub rail areas - will need a good bath once we get to Clayton tomorrow.

Tomorrow - we head for Clayton Municipal Marina, in Clayton, NY in the Thousand Islands, 63 miles NE of here. Wx looks good for crossing the SE corner of L.Ontario - low of 55 tonight, high 79 tomorrow, winds SE 8mph, which are great to help push us along on the stbd stern; waves are predicted to be <1ft. from the East. A sailboat beside us, who helped catch a line for us docking, is also heading out in the morning and this is his home territory and he says the wx should be great for the crossing.

That's all today.

Stay safe.

Comments:

Dd - 31 Aug 2020: You must be counting the hours! You need a vacation.

Ernie R. - 31 Aug 2020: Rob and Marg, thank goodness you all will be heading home soon and we can start a remedial program at TP to get our yachting skills back up to Commodore standards!! Hanging ropes (and probably laundry if the truth were known!) on ladders indeed! I do hope you do not leave the fenders deployed all day like the French canal boats you rent! Be safe.