August and Septerber 2015; Ess-Kay Yards in Brewerton NY

The Erie Canal and upstate NY are a great area that has many interesting things to see and people to get to know. We spent about 30 days at Ess-Kay Yards in Brewerton NY - just north of Syracuse and met the greatest folks! Kim, Ethan and Tammy who manage the place are very helpful and just great folks. Carolyn and Susan on Why Knot were great neighbors and who will ever forget the refreshing perspectives of George and Jane on Holdfast II. We enjoyed many great laughs and more than a few dock-tails. (Dock-tails are when everybody grabs a snack to share and their favorite beverage, and meets on the docks for great conversation.)

We used Ess-Kay as our base of operations to visit towns and points-of-interest we were not able to get to along the Erie canal when we had no car. Our Honda CRV was waiting for us here, as we had dropped it off in the spring before departing. It gave us the freedom to travel around the area as noted in some of the previous blog entries.

We also needed to get R Island ready for winter. We are storing her about 1/2 mile west and just across the river at Winter Harbor Marina in a large Metal building which they keep at 45 degrees or higher all winter long. Some great photos of her being put away follow. Some of the jobs we completed are: wash and wax the exterior, varnish the teak on the exterior - again, clean and oil the interior teak, clean the dingy and service the outboard motor, touch-up the non-skid surfaces on the deck, clean and re-caulk all exterior hatches, and service the sumps, plus other smaller items. In the spring, it should be as easy as washing her and loading supplies - ready for another season. 

We took a side trip in late September to visit our son Gary and his family in Annandale VA - great time! Judie caught  a flight to Chicago to spend time with our daughter Carrie and son Adam  and their families while Gerry returned to the boat, got her to Winter Harbor, and then drove to Chicago - stopping in South Bend to visit his sister and her husband. Judie decided to spend some additional time with the family, so after a weeks visit - Ger drove back to Sun City and Judie followed a couple weeks later.

See you in the Spring - about the end of May!

A cruise ship going down the canal.

R Island being transferred to a large red trailer after being lifted from the water.

Being moved into the storage building.

With her blue bottom, resting with the other boats. 

September 9-15, 2015 Baldwinsville and Seneca Falls NY

After spending about a month at the Ess-Kay Yards dock, we were in desperate straights to get back to cruising - so a little "Fall Cruise" was in order. Or first day was a 21 mile/two lock  cruise to Baldwinsville, A Canal town that offers a great public dock for $5.00 a night. We arrived about noon and after squaring the boat, we met another couple - that had been cruising for 13 years - and headed to a nice restaurant near the dock. We had a great lunch together. The wind was building and the clouds were coming our way, so we hurried back to the boat and sat out a big rain storm. Cleaned the raw water strainers for all systems and lowered the Bimini to clear some low bridges the next day.

A few of the surviving arches of the Aqueduct.

Our view from the Baldwinsville dock wall when we stopped on the return trip.

Next morning we were away at 7:20 for a 38 mile/3 lock trip to Seneca Falls. The journey took us past a trailer park/campground that was gigantic. Most places looked like weekend retreats or seasonal trailers. Must have been over 200 of them! Also passed the remains of an Aqueduct built in 1856 with 31 arches to carry the canal during dry months in the summer. Our last two locks were stair step locks in that you traveled directly out of one lock into the next one - they shared a common lock door and each lock had a 25 foot lift height. A nice lake and a beautiful church greeted us as we exited the locks - I guess so you can give immediate thanks for successfully making it thru the locks! Seneca Falls has a beautiful dock wall with great shade trees and is right next to the town; we were one of only three boats there when we arrived at 1:30 (it would later fill up completely). After squaring the boat, we headed one short block to "Parkers" for ribs and spent time at "The Women's Rights National Historic Park" and the "Wesleyan Chapel" where the Women's Rights Movement first started in 1848. It was then back to the boat for reading/relaxing - no dinner required!

All sorts of campers!

The large doors separating the two locks.

Welcoming church!

Along the town dock wall.

Day 2 was Museum day! We spent some additional time at the Women's Rights, then headed to the Seneca Museum of Waterway s and Industry. When this was a striving river town, many mills, factories and shipping industries were located here. A major player was Gould Pumps - still here- a firm Ger was familiar with his entire career! Although not filmed here; major inspiration for the author/writer of "It's a Wonderful Life" came from Seneca falls - particularly the bridge scene and the Main Street. Of course we spent time in the museum dedicated to that Christmas Classic. On to the "Seneca Falls Historical Society" which is an old 3-story home that is being used as offices and museum. Returned to R Island with some tired feet!

Gould Pumps

Globes and Rulers were a big item.

Socks being manufactured at the mill.

Historical Society

The next two days were spent riding our the wind and rain that had moved in over night. We were able to borrow a car and get to the Walmart and a Rite-Aid.  We met up with our traveling friends  Mike and Lois who cruised in with company aboard. Had a couple of great meals together while they toured as we waited out the rain. It was great to catch up and see them again. Day 5 was a nice run back to Davidsonville. Clear and cool weather and saw many Bald Eagles, Great Blue Herons, Canadian Geese and 3 Deer! Day 6 was an easy return to Ess-Kay yards in Brewerton.

The total excursion was 128 miles and we passed thru 10 locks.

European style canal boats available for charter in Seneca Falls.

A Classic!

R Island leaving for the return trip to Brewerton. Thanks to Mike Fannon from Inch-N-Along for the photo!

A historic mill building on the left and the "It's a Wonderful Life" bridge in the distance.