Do the Best Things Come to Those Who Wait?

Moved on through some more locks to a little town called Canajahorie.  Never did find out where that name originated.  Had a big group of Loopers on the wall, so lots of company.  The little town had a wonderful art gallery and it happened that there was a musical program there with performers doing songs about the Erie Canal.  Really helped to put us in the Ol’ Timey Way of traveling the canal.  I daresay that we are a little more comfortable than those early travelers.  The next day was rain all day, so no moving.  Good day for a movie on the couch with new friends.

• 

• 

• 

On to the highest lock on the canal – Little Falls, NY.  Saw some beautiful old stone buildings that have been repurposed into stores, apartments, and offices.  Got out the bikes here and rode part of the Erie Canal bike path, and upon the recommendation of a long time resident of the town, we also visited the library to see a display of Herkimer Diamonds.  They are quartz, not real diamonds, but they naturally form into beautiful cut stones.  The display case looked like a jewelry store!

• 

• 

• 

• 

On to Rome, NY, site of a reconstructed Fort Stanwix.  This fort was originally built to protect the portage between the Mohawk River and the Wood Creek.  This is also the area that prompted the building of the Erie Canal in order to transport people and goods from east to west.  Dinner was at a real Italian neighborhood place called Vigneto. When we walked in, everyone called out “hello.”  The people across from us ordered a pizza and when Ed commented on it, they offered to share.  We were already full, but it did look good!

• 

Checking the weather, we saw that rain was expected in two days.  We had to cross Oneida Lake, which is wide, and can get some strong waves if winds are coming from the west.  So we made a long run on Wednesday, June 19, bypassed some other stops and made it to Brewerton before the rain came.  We expected to stay the rainy day and then continue on to the Oswego Canal, which would take us north to Lake Ontario.  That was the plan, but the rains came down hard, especially in Oswego.  We were preparing to leave Thursday when we got word that the canal had been closed due to high water.  So we waited.  The marina kept getting more and more full with boaters coming from the other side of the lake and could go no farther.  And we waited…and waited…and waited.  Meanwhile we kept revising plans for where we would go next; cutting visits because we were losing days.  There were a few perks.  The marina had a courtesy car, so we went to WalMart, Target, Home Depot, and any other place we could think of.  All the laundry got done.  One marina had a cookout for all the stranded Loopers.  Then our marina had Italian Night Dinner for everyone at the marina.  We got to know more Loopers, and docktails were numerous.  “Locked in” had new meaning for us.

• 

• 

Escaped on Thursday, the 27^th.   We joined a flotilla of other boats thru the Oswego canal and completed 8 locks in the one day.  The most exciting lock was the one that had rapids on the other side as we exited.  The high waters caused the rapids and we watched as the boats in front of us plowed thru, one at a time.  There was a sailboat that we weren’t sure would make it, but it finally did – almost sideways.  Our turn came and it was like a flume ride at Disney, but we lived to tell the tale!   We tied up to a wall in Oswego and did some exploring.  Saw yet another fort of historical significance, some fun walk/bike paths, and a wonderful canal walk that was decorated with community art work.  Checked the next day’s weather prediction for crossing Lake Ontario – a 50+ mile trip.  Couldn’t have asked for a better report.  The day promised smooth waters, low winds, and no rain. Maybe all the wait was worth it! Canada, here we come….

•