The Erie Canal was fully opened today, and I'm sure the dozens of boats delayed there, some of which were with us from the start, are ecstatic to begin cruising again.
We left Oswego Marina mid-morning, and went through the seven Oswego canal locks rather quickly, as there were no other boats going either way. This canal, which provides a connection from Oswego on Lake Ontario to the Erie Canal, is wide and deep, and the locks have been fully automated and sized for relatively modern ships. These locks take you up a total of 118 feet over high falls and rapids, and many locks have an adjacent hydroelectric generating station as well.
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| Oswego Canal running adjacent to the Oswego River |
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| One of several hydroelectric generating stations |
Phoenix is a small town along the canal, and they have established a volunteer program for their youth to promote the town. If you stop for a rest or overnight on the town wall, which is decorated with flags, tables and chairs, they will come up and offer services such as picking up and delivering groceries or fast food, running errands, or doing chores such as washing the boat. Any tips go to the kids. This might be a good idea for Grand Haven?
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| Boats docked at the Phoenix city wall |
We made good time and pulled into the Winter Harbor Marina in Brewerton, NY mid-afternoon. This is a first class marina which specializes in large boats, maintenance, and heated storage buildings. It is here where Great Laker will spend the winter until we continue our Great Loop cruise next June.
We spent this day remembering all the good times we have had on this great adventure and thankful for our American Tug that took us through it so safely, comfortably and reliably. The next two days will be consumed with getting the boat ready for storage, packing, and getting a rental car for the drive home. Our daughter, Elizabeth, will be home in August, and we are looking forward to spending time with her then.
To all of our relatives and good friends across the U.S. and new friends met on the Loop, we will pick up our cruise again next year and continue posting here on "The Adventures of Great Laker." Tune in around early June 2014.
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Captain Larry's last day this year piloting Great Laker
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Brian and I are going to miss reading about your adventures. This has provided lots of interest with our friends also. We were hoping to see you when you motored by Petoskey this summer. We are looking forward to next June and the continuation of the journey.
ReplyDeleteLarry, I'm really enjoying your blog. Here's why: Your text is free of syntax, grammar and spelling errors. That's getting rare on the web, and don't think it's going unnoticed. It's also laid out well, with no text crashing into images or bad breaks. Outstanding.
ReplyDeleteI found this because I'm doing research into a possible Loop attempt. I don't even own a boat yet! As a fellow southwestern Michigan native, keep up the good work!
-Lee Swets, lestersivets@gmail.com
Larry and Anne, enjoying your blog. Last time we saw you was on the rivers heading to Mobile. We are planning to do the Rideau next summer and have already benefited from your blog for our route planning. We will do it in the reverse direction, leaving and returning to Cape Cod. Enjoy your time ashore and get ready for a super time next summer cruising the Canadian Waterways. Bob and Madeline BETTY L
ReplyDeleteWhen will you be resuming your trip?
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the comments.
ReplyDeleteWe are heading to Brewerton on June 6, will commission Great Laker, and then head on to Lake Ontario, The Thousand Islands, the Trent-Severn Canal, The Georgian Bay, The North Channel, and Lake MI. We expect getting home to Spring Lake will take close to 2 mo. I intend to blog daily as always but we may have limited internet coverage in Canada.