Days Events:

Wx - forecast 64/79, wds SE 8, mixed sun; waves <1 ft. SE shifting to ENE.

Travel - left Oswego at 07:25, light winds off stbd stern, traveled 64 miles in 5 hrs, arriving at Clayton Harbor Municipal Marina at 12:30. Wind picked up just as we approached the marina [naturally]; a fellow looper was on the dock and came to our aid to handle lines thrown by Marg. However, the day has been sunny, blue sky, low humidity, cool wind. Great. Waves mild and ride was fine for the two water wusses that we are.

As one can see, we must have run the boat a bit faster than usual, since we covered 64 miles in only 5 hrs; we kept the rpm's at 2200 from Oswego to Carleton I. [50miles ~] which produced 13.5 mph; now we know that Ernie Rivard will be having a conniption that we were traveling way too fast for a pair of old people who have been only traveling at 8-10 mph for the past few months; and were therefore putting ourselves, the boat, and anyone else in the water region at risk. He can rest assured that we were in a large body of open water and couldn't hit anything if we tried to. We realize we needed to run the engines a wee bit harder to clean out the cylinders, etc after such a prolonged period of 'slow' travel.

Saw a large wind farm along the Ontario shore as we approached the St.Lawrence River by Wolfe I. Some blades were moving steadily, others hardly at all.[see photo] Little boat traffic though had to outrun another 480ft tanker, near Carleton I., before he made his turn westerly [we were headed east along the south shoreline]. Water inside the St.Lawrence was smooth, very pleasant. Water is clear, cool, clean, blue-green.

As Marg commented, it was a weird feeling seeing the Canadian shoreline most of the day. We actually crossed the border briefly I think, in the middle of the channel after Carleton I.

Marina - The Clayton Harb.Muni.Marina has a good reputation among boaters; they have 55 docks, all transient, all floating slips except for a long facedock/waterbreak on the NW side of harbor. Docks are new, mostly for 40ft size but accommodated us with our bow sticking out a bit. Still have some chop/waking from runabouts going by in the harbor unfortunately, but it is mild. Not many boats here though [end of the season!].

Photos - Marg grabbed one of the Oswego Lighthouse at the inlet from L.Ontario; I tried to get a half-decent shot of the wind farm.

-- one of the Canadian shoreline from Clayton's civic-downtown dock - bit distant though;

-- 3 of the marina, with one showing the back of the office but with its street address showing so people will know where to find it; 2 views of the docks, with D.A. in both.

Beer Report - Marg picked out a sampler from the store in Brewerton, so I am trying a Pale Ale from Flying Dog, Doggie Style [weird name], brewed in Frederick, MD - not bad, but not a Boddington's.

Admirals Desk:

I can see Canada!!🇨🇦

It was a good trip today. The wind and the waves were with us. This was our last big water and I really wasn't looking forward to it.

The turn into the St. Lawrence was a milestone. A good place to end this year and a good place to look forward to in the spring. Today I can't decide if I'm happy or sad. Gonna be a 2 hanky day instead of a 2 shirt day. The scenery along the St. Lawrence is gorgeous. But its a big wide river so everything was too far away for good photos.

We decided at the beginning of our trip that we would not collect any souvenirs. Our photos are our keepsakes. Besides, we have no room for more stuff!

Until tomorrow.

Maintenance:

The fenders were in need of some intensive attention after being through so many grubby locks so spent a few hours using Softscrub on a pad and/or SOS pad which seemed to work better, especially where the concrete walls had scored the fender surfaces, impregnating them with red mud, rust, grit, etc etc. Next year we will only use black fenders on the tie-up side and/or put old t-shirts over the fenders which can then be thrown away - had some this year but forgot to use the ones we had remaining after Marg had cut up a couple for face masks.! Anyway, they now at least look loved and brighter.

Racor fuel filter - the stbd one had jumped up to -5 on the vacuum gauge yesterday, so didn't believe it and reset it last night to see what would happen today - it stayed <1. Why it suddenly jumps to a higher vacuum, I have no idea; if it was significant, it should have done it again today and been even higher, shouldn't it? Since normal after a much harder run day, will continue to watch it.

Tomorrow - will bath the boat top to waterline! Review our inventory in preparation for driving home in another week. We travel to Horizon Marina on Wed.

It is T-2.

Covid - the marina has large sign telling everyone they must wear a mask approaching the office and when off the boat! There is a noticeable lack of compliance though - but, it is outside and is windy!

Stay safe.

Comments:

Dd - 1 Sep 2020: I’m also getting teary eyed!!! I will miss your blogs

Robert & Margaret - 1 Sep 2020: We'll miss doing the blog. It's part of our day. Let's remember to to add this, oops won't mention that, that looks like a good photo,..... After we tie up, we relax with a beer and start typing stuff, comparing and choosing photos. At first it seemed onerous but now its become our diary! And we love your comments.

Dave - 1 Sep 2020: Welcome home (at lease close to home). Wish there was no Covid-19 as we were really looking forward to driving down to Kingston and having dinner with you. Guess it will now have to wait until next spring when you get back. The Clayton, Alexandria Bay area is beautiful and hope you have some good weather to spend a couple of days before going back home. The last time we were in Clayton on our boat I think the temp was over 100 degrees and was very uncomfortable. This weather will be much better for you. Make sure you get to Boldt Castle if it is still open but if not you can do it in the spring. Great website and hats off to you both for your daily blogs. We really enjoyed following you along your route.

Ernie R - 1 Sep 2020: Rob, I must have missed the part on the blog where you both got “speed certified “ on your captain’s license! You both have been so cautious and prudent the whole trip and then nearing the end suddenly proceed with reckless abandonment! I am so proud of both of you! I do hope that while Marg is taking her midnight pictures you can get the street sign that mysteriously fell down! Be safe