Tomorrow, tomorrow...

 Wednesday, August 31, 2022

At last the weather is looking good for moving!  The weather at the dock has been great for the last couple of days...cool breeze, sunny.  But the small craft warning has still been out for our area of Lake Michigan because of winds in the 20's and waves near 6 ft.  Our sailboat friends next to us went out on Tuesday morning and came right back in.  Waves were too high for them and the wind was whipping.

So...while here we've done a lot of walking....which is good!  Grocery store twice (well, they have some very good "made in the store" chicken salad); Dollar General, hardware, and any other store that looked like it might have a micro SD card...and struck out.  As I mentioned before, Uber doesn't seem to have a presence here and Walmart doesn't deliver to this address so we'll order from Amazon and have it to Michigan City, IN, by the time we get there on Saturday.

Got the oil changed yesterday and the fellow who did it also helped Wayne move the (heavy) couch so they could clean out the filters for air conditioning.  

We've got our routes set up for Thursday-Sunday.  We'll be anchoring on Friday night.  It being Labor Day weekend, there's a lot going on and there were no slips to be had as we got closer to the weekend...

Tomorrow's looking like a bluebird day and we're ready to be moving!  We'll check in later...

Speaking of anchoring...We've been telling Maggie to "use" the potty pad when we can't make it to shore.  So far, she hasn't quite understood the message.  She does find it comfortable for napping, though...

Yikes, Michigan!

 Monday, August 29, 2022 -

We were pretty sure, when looking at the marine forecast last night, that we likely would want to stay another day in White Hall Municipal Marina.  Then when the thunder, lightning, wind, and rain started right at bedtime we checked to confirm that there would definitely be a small craft warning through Monday.

We slept late and woke to stormy skies that have sprouted little WINDY storms all day. Having time on our hands we made a grocery list and walked something less than a mile to the closest grocery. (Tried to get an Uber...but never made a connection with a driver).  When we walked our with our 4 big bags we decided to try Uber again...no luck, again.  As we were standing there thinking of searching for a cab a nice lady walked up and asked if we needed help.  We told her that our eyes were bigger than our ability to carry it "home."  She immediately said she'd be glad to give us a ride back to the marina and we gratefully accepted.  We told her we would "pay it forward" by helping someone else.

After lunch I decided to hunt down a haircut.  I know, I know, I was going to let it grow out...But when I took the scissors to it last week and still wasn't satisfied I knew I had to let someone with skills do the job.  I found a salon that said it was open on Mondays and walked about a mile to find that it was no longer in business...had been replaced by another salon name...and is closed on Mondays.  Walking back to the boat I passed a different salon.  The windows looked dark, no hours posted on the door...but when I tried the door it opened!  Turns out the owner was in doing books on Mondays since they're closed.  I think it was the condition of my hair (the winds are still way up today) that caused her to say she would do my hair if I could do it right then.  You betcha!!

Well, the cut was a great one!  I can actually stop wearing a head scarf from the time I wake until I go to bed!

Weather outlook is not so good for tomorrow...And at this point in time they are predicting Wednesday to be rough, too.  BUT...Thursday and Friday look really good.  We'll try to do some marathon days then!

We're enjoying our days even if we are spending a few more days in places we hadn't planned to stay because we're around the people/pets we most enjoy being with, doing what we want to do.  And, just like the two pleasant surprises today (sweet lady driver and finding a stylist in a closed salon) we seem to have the sun shining down on us most of the time....and we're very grateful.  ;-)  (For you, Laura...:-)

Whoa! Michigan!

 Sunday, August 28, 2022

Last night we looked at the marine forecast , as usual, with the idea that we might just go a little ways down the coast from Pentwater to White Lake...about 32 miles...today.  Yes, the winds were going to be 10-15 with some 20 MPH thrown in.  And, yes, the waves were predicted to be 1-3 ft.  But we've never tried this boat in that kind of weather and decided we'd like to see how it takes those conditions.  There weren't any small craft warnings out and we would definitely be within 5 miles of the shore so it couldn't be that bad, right?

Hmmm.  Actually, it was pretty darn uncomfortable towards the end of the trip.  The wind did pick up and was coming at us...sometimes on the nose and sometimes slapping the side of the boat.  My first inclination was to grab the arm of the chair and try to keep myself upright in the seat.  I finally figured out that it was much easier to place my feet against the bottom of the "helm" to steady myself and then let my upper body swing and sway from the waist up.  I think I now have a great idea for a work-out machine!!

We turned into White Lake, finally, and it took about 3 miles to then get to our marina, White Lake Municipal Marina.  Then the fun really began!  The wind picked up and we ended up, at one point, completely turned crossway in the slip with the dingy up against the dock!  Fortunately about 6 people ran out and helped us get straight and tied up!  Exciting!!! 

We're likely going to be here through tomorrow as the prediction, at this time, is a small craft warning with conditions worse than today.  Even though we're trying to get off Lake Michigan asap, we're not going out in something worse than we had today....

Maggie and I walked into the part of town near the marina and park and it looks a little run down. But...it has a Walmart within delivery distance and we may take advantage of that tomorrow.  Keeping us stocked with food and necessities is a job in itself.  We pretty much eat the same things everyday for breakfast and lunch and try to "spice it up" a little at supper with something we haven't had in two days.  The larger refrigerator on this boat has really come in handy...but we always seem to be out of something critical.  Like half and half.

That's it for today!  I'll let you know if anything exciting happens tomorrow.....;-)

On down Lake Michigan...

 Saturday, August 27, 2022

After 2 nights at Arcardia we were ready to move.  Waves were predicted to be 1-2 with wind gusts up to 20mph...coming from the SW.  We had 3 routes ready so we could start out with the closest stop, Manistee, and continue on to Ludington if that looked good...or go all the way to Pentwater, 63 miles, if conditions would allow. We did the latter.  Left Arcadia at 7 and go to Pentwater, Snug Harbor Marina, at 1:30.  Not bad at all...with most waves coming in the last 10 miles.

Snug Harbor is a fantastic marina!  We were met at the "wall" we'd be staying on by 3 guys who did everything...down to mounting (drill and screws involved) a step on the dock beside us to make it easier to get on and off!

Pentwater has a gorgeous little harbor.  Tonight they are having a boat show with vintage boats floating by.  Maggie and I strolled the street by the harbor where all the shops were having a 50% off sidewalk sale.  And Wayne and I walked to the Italian grocery about a block away to gather some goodies for the days ahead.  Last time we were here we anchored in the harbor...

Two more sad dog stories today!  First was a call out to the Coast Guard about a golden retriever who jumped off the boat.  We didn't hear the ending, but assume they were able to find the dog...paddling like crazy...and bring it back to the owner.  Then, this evening, we met a couple on a sailboat with a dog much like Maggie in that it was small and a barker.  Maggie and I were walking back from the stroll down sidewalk sale when we heard the dog barking, (their boat was near ours), and then saw Walter run out of the marina area and race down the STREET away from his frantic owner.  Scary situation...and we still don't know the outcome.  

Don't know if we'll go tomorrow or not.  Depends on the weather predictions.  We really won't know until tomorrow morning whether we'll try it or not.  In preparation for that unknown we have 3 routes ready.  We'd sorta like to know what it would feel like to take on 3-4 ft. waves...

Oh!  And one more thing.  Since we were staying at Arcadia two nights we decided to do some laundry there.  Like you all, we rarely use a laundromat for our laundry.  So far, we've paid as much as $2.50 for a wash and $1.00 for a 20 minute swirl in the dryer...and it usually took $2.00 to complete the job.  Arcadia Marina charges $1.75 for the wash and $.50 for a 45 minute run in the dryer!! Unheard of!!

We'll let you know where we end up tomorrow....

Photos

Lovely Charlevoix 

These are just a few of the "mushroom houses" built by Early Young.  

"Earl Young Mushroom Houses" https://www.visitcharlevoix.com/Earl-Young_

Other photos along the way...

Down Lake Michigan

Monday, August 22, 2022

Got up our usual early and traveled a short 2 hours to Mackinaw City.  We've been to Mackinaw City before and it's stayed pretty much the same over the years...except that it looks more and more like Gatlinburg.  I'd love to know the fudge shop count for the two cities!!

We stayed at Straits State Harbor in Mackinaw City.  Having never stayed at that marina before, we had a bit of a hard time seeing how to enter the marina.  Then, suddenly, we saw it and understood everything the guy had told us to observe.  Funny how the picture gets clearer as you approach. 😂

Wayne's still working on the navigation issue and worked on that today with someone from Raymarine.  We'll see if it will work when we try it again tomorrow!  

We all took a walk into town to see if we could find a restaurant where dogs were allowed in outdoor seating so we could lunch together.  We found a restaurant...bur it was all breakfast and we were looking for hamburgers. I busied myself going for groceries (we never seem to have all we want or need!)  and shopped a bit before settling in for the afternoon and plotting our next destination...Charlevois.

Tuesday, August 23, 2022

 Traveled this morning to Charlevoix...one of our favorite Michigan cities.  We left at 7:45 and got here at 2 PM.  The water was flat and the winds were calm...beautiful day of travel!

We're staying at the Charlevoix City Marina which is located right "downtown" and in front of a large, beautiful park.  That evening the city orchestra gave a two hour concert in the orchestra shell at one end of the park.  The place was full of couples, families, people listening from their boat...it was pretty amazing.  And good!

Took Maggie for a walk up on the main street and was amazed to realize, as she dragged me forward with a purpose, that Maggie remembered where we ate when we traveled by car to Michigan last summer.  We had a great meal sitting outside.  They probably gave Maggie a treat.  She never forgets the source of a treat!

I had been trying to find a place to have labs done for my nephrologist.  She's going to call me on Sept. 10 for a video or plain call (depends on the reception I have that day).  When we pulled into Charlevoix I called the hospital lab there and asked if they could do it.  Yes, they said. but I would need to get in by the time they closed at 4.  As soon as we got the boat situated I took off walking (18 min.) to the hospital.  Got registered in no time...but there was a delay.  I finally got out at 3:40.  ;-)  Mission accomplished!

BTW, the navigation system still isn't working with regularity....sigh. 

Wednesday, August 24, 2022

 Traveled 46 miles from Charlevoix to Leland.  "Fish Town," as they like to call it, was hopping that day, especially around the marina.  Little shops were open for food, shopping, you name it.  

We went to the town grocery store and got almost everything we needed...and you can imagine what the total cost was with it being "the only game in town!  Ah, the joys of cruising! ;-)  You just need to smile and hand them your credit card.

Thursday looked like a good travel day, but Friday looked a bit rough for travel.  We wanted to make Thursday really count and go as far as we could down the coast of Michigan.  We picked out several marinas within 40 miles or so...but they were all booked.  Apparently there is a fishing tournament this weekend.  We ended up heading for Arcadia and it's small, isolated marina, Veteran's Memorial Marina.  Joe, the dockmaster, was very helpful in finding us space on the fuel dock for one or, most likely, two nights.  

Turns out we'd been to Arcadia on our first loop trip in 2008...but neither of us remembered it or how it looked. (Age, again?) It's another beautiful place, small lake tucked behind a wall of rock and land.  It has a small beach within easy walking distance of the marina and a "bit" of town on the highway several blocks away with daily food truck and an ice cream store.  What more could we ask for?

As we went to bed we checked the weather again and it still looked like a two-nighter at Arcadia....

Thursday, August, 25, 2022

We slept in late this morning anticipating a day of rest...and we got it!  The weather inside our little nook was calm, but winds picked up pretty quickly.  We're protected...but some of the fishing boats that went out early this morning came back in no time saying it was too rough.  There's a small craft warning out until this evening.

As of now, it looks like we can move again tomorrow so we're going to aim for Pentwater, 56 miles from our location.  And we might end up having to stay there until Tuesday of next week...unless the predictions change for the good.  Our back up plan, should tomorrow's weather turn nasty as we're traveling, is to duck into Luddington, MI.

As a treat today, we went to the food truck for a delicious burger and fries...Then we topped it off with an ice cream cone.  Can naps be far behind???

Cheboygan

 Sunday, August 21, 2022

Up and out by 7:45...weather looks good.  In fact, it was so good it was almost boring.  Not only did we not have waves jogging us in our seats, but we had nothing but WATER to look at until we had finished about 3/4 of the trip.  We both took turns napping!  And Maggie always naps.

Traveled 57 miles to Cheboygan, MI, and got here around 2 PM.  We're docked at the Cheboygan County Marina for one night.  The marina is the closest one to the lake and the furthest from the city....though it is walk-able.  We're done for the day, though, and will enjoy our evening in the boat. ;-)  

Tomorrow we will go to Mackinaw City and stay there at least one night, maybe two.  We are STILL having issues with the navigation system and hope to solve this before we leave (or before we get home!)

I forgot to mention yesterday that we had a little 1.5 year old cockapoo on the sailboat next to us.  His name is Sailor.  He and Maggie had barked at each other but hadn't met until this morning's walk when we met Sailor and his 'mom' as we walked down the dock.  I was explaining to her that Maggie gets very protective (crazy?) when she is on a leash and meets a dog.  Well...they'd no sooner touched noses than Maggie went raving mad trying to snap off the pup's nose!  You just can't let her get close to other dogs when she's on a leash.  😎

 

Lake Huron

 Friday, August 19, 2022

Leaving Port Austin we made our way to Harrisville, MI, and maybe our favorite marina and town on Huron.  The weather was good...but the direction of the wind caused us to swing back and forth with the boat.  Waves were coming in on the side of the boat.  Wayne and I both took Bonine and tried our best to get Maggie to do the same.  Not even in a ball of banana would she consider it.  And...she was just fine.  It was a 53 mile trip today and we arrived at about 2:30.  

Harrisville Harbor Marina has a great location in town and is one of the most accommodating marinas we've ever had the pleasure of using.  They even have a courtesy van with which they will gladly take us to and from restaurants, or, in our case, to the grocery store in town.  I walked over for the exercise and called for a ride back with my loot.  

That evening we spent washing clothes.  Hey!  Do we know how to live or what?!  The marina has 2 washing machine and 4 dryers.  Perfect ratio for a large laundry job.

Saturday, August 20, 2022

We woke up this morning and the weather prediction for open lake travel (we were going to stick close to shore when possible...but would be passing by Thunder Bay and be in the "open lake."  Last night the forecast called for wind 5-10 and waves under 2 feet.  This morning it was wind 10-15 with gusts up to 20 and waves 1-3.  Hmmm.  We really wanted to go so we decided to start out and if we had trouble or it was too uncomfortable we'd duck into Alpena for the day.

Turns out, it was a great day for traveling where we were headed.  We had what is called a "following sea," which means the waves were hitting the back of the boat and taking us for a gentle ride.  Normally we'd be going 8.5 or 9.  Today, with the push from waves, we were going 9-10 mph almost the whole 57 miles.  We got here at 1:30 and docked among sailboats and catamaran.  

This place is so unique.  Looking at it with binoculars as we got close we saw the marina, building, and a whole lotta trees.  After we docked and started walking around we saw there was more.  Specifically, a deli right across the road with pizza, sandwiches...and ice cream!!  Oh, and there were about 2 houses in sight.  Feels very remote and very relaxing...

Tomorrow we're headed for Cheboygan, MI, about 57 miles from here....

 Tuesday, August 9, 2022

So...having the second full day at Erie, PA. we did some walking around and plotting further travels.  Erie looks like a town that is working hard to "come up."  Everywhere we looked (starting with our view of the marina from our deck) we could see road work and building projects going on.  Gannon University is right downtown, there's a gorgeous city library a couple of blocks from the marina...and it looked well used the afternoon I walked in to visit.  Across the street is the Erie metro transportation building (also new looking)...and I was impressed to see that the public library had signs posted there inviting those who had to wait to come visit the library!  The library is connected to a maritime museum and they share a "store" that was closed on the day I was there. ;-(

Maggie will miss the rabbits here when we leave.  We can't go out in the morning without seeing one.

Wednesday, August 10, 2022

We're OFF!  The weather looked good for travel so we left Erie, PA, and cruised (with some rolling around) down to Geneva State Park Marina at Geneva-on-the-Lake.  Left at 7:30 and got here at 2.We had stopped here on our last trip across Lake Erie...though neither of us remember being here.  Age??

It's a beautiful setting with fuel, restaurant and small ship's store.  The park in general is gorgeous and well maintained.  There's a lodge within walking distance to the marina and it looks very upscale.  Checking rates I see that we could get a room for two adults at $278/night with a two night minimum.  

As we checked in to the marina we received our long awaited "chip" from Navionics that we hope will solve our navigating issues...

Weather looks very "iffy" for leaving tomorrow so we'll probably get to work on that then...

Thursday, August 11, 2022

Well, sure enough, we're here for another day.  We might get to leave tomorrow afternoon and make a short trip over to Grand River on the lake.  We're learning to be flexible...and patient (that's the hard part, "patient"!)  Wayne's upstairs talking to Navionics and I'm hoping we get that issue solved today.  Meanwhile, we'll work on some other small chores and maybe do lunch at the little marina restaurant...

Now for some pics....

 Shot of Buffalo as we left...

 

 View of the Buffalo Harbor from our marina....

 

 View of the Erie Basin Marina dock in Buffalo...

 Beautiful flower garden by the Erie Basin Marina...Samples of various plants, labeled...

 

 

Dunkirk Yacht Club, Dunkirk, NY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Growth in the water...

Entering the harbor area at Erie, PA, heading for our slip at Wolverine State Park Marina...

 

 

Came in through this entrance at Geneva...The green and white "light

house" was our marker for getting into the entrance.... Took a while to 

spot it!!

 

Pics from our walk yesterday afternoon ...

 

 

Walk to the lodge...

 

 This morning from our spot in the marina....Red skies in the morning.....

 

 

 

 And scenes of the waves spilling up over a little barrier at the beach...

 

 Thursday, August 4, 2022 - Friday, August 5

Left North Tonawanda, NY, this morning and headed on down to Buffalo, NY, where we had reserved a slip at the Erie Basin Marina for a couple of nights in the hope of collecting a number of Amazon deliveries.  The trip “up” the river to Buffalo involved going through a lock which bypasses the Niagara River, on which we’d  be traveling against the current and in really rough waters.  The lock only operates on the hour (down bound) and half hour (up bound).  We were there about 5 til the hour so had a bit of a wait…but transiting the lock was easy.  On to Erie Basin Marina….

Checked in and had a few pieces of orders waiting on us.  As that day and the next passed we had one more little order, but the things we really wanted to arrive…didn’t.  Everyone seemed to have trouble finding the place.  Usually things are delivered to the marina office.  In this case, the marina office was so far away from the entrance that it couldn’t be seen.  We tried to have delivery services (we had ‘em all…UPS, USPS and Amazon) meet us at the entrance gate…but that never happened.  We had to cancel about 8 items and reorder them to be delivered on down the way.  Bummer!

We did fill our need for a beef on Weck, which is said to have originated in Buffalo.  “A Weck or Wecken in this dish is short for Kummelweck which is like a kaiser roll topped with salt and Caraway seeds.  Then the sandwich is piled high with roast that is not overcooked.  The top bun’s dipped in a bit of beef au jus before you top this marvel.   Serve it with some french fries a side of hot horseradish, a cup of au jus for dipping, and a dill pickle spear.” ’Twas delicious!

Saturday, August 6, 2022 -

Traveled today from Buffalo to Dunkirk Yacht Club, Dunkirk, NY.  Friendly little club sitting right on the edge of Lake Erie.  We’re still using the iPad to show routes and manage changing course to the “auto pilot.”  Ah!  but soon we’ll have the replacement chip in our hands….sigh.
 

Sunday, August 7, 2022 -

Traveled to the Wolverine State Park Marina n Erie, PA.  The waves were a problem today.  They were at least 2 feet and coming from the West so they were right on “our nose.”  Wayne and I both took a Bonine for assurance that we would not become incapacitated.  We questioned giving Maggie part of one…but decided to talk with the vet first.  Turns out, she had no problem with these conditions… 

This marina turns out to be right next to the town’s conference center and in the company of
a couple of hotels, convention center, etc.  Oh.  And there’s a huge reworking of roads right here. We're dodging all sorts of equipment just to get out of the driveway.
 

Took a look at the weather outlook for near shore cruising on Monday when we planned to leave for Geneva-on-the-Lake, OH.  Wasn’t looking too good, but we’ll check on Monday morning.

Monday, August 8, 2022 -

Yep, Small Craft Warning today for near coast marine travel.  Ah, we’ll have “stuff” that needs to be done anyway.  Staying here another night and rearranged plans for tomorrow.  One of those things to do was order groceries for delivery…which we did.  As I took Maggie for a mid-day walk, though, I remembered that the whole marina parking lot was being torn up and there seemed no way for a delivery person/vehicle to make it through.  I mentioned this to the lady construction worker and she assured me they’d get ‘em through.  This seems to be a pattern for us and deliveries!!!

Our other project for today was to clean out the water strainers on the boat.  There's a lot of “growth” in the waters up here and the systems that use water (air conditioning, for instance) can gather pieces of plants, etc., in the strainers and cause a problem.  The strainers are in the engine room…which is under the salon floor.  We removed all three sections of the floor to access the strainers…but could only actually get to one.  These had just been cleaned at Ess-Kay Marina when we had the oil changed and the strainer we could reach didn’t have much in it.  We decided to put the floor back down and wait a while to clean the other, as of now unreachable, strainers.  We started putting the floor down with the slimmest piece which fits under the unmovable couch.  It wouldn’t go.  We were both dripping with sweat and effort and thought we were going to have to “call someone.”  Then we decided to at least put down the other two pieces.  Having that done, we realized we could sit on those pieces and push on the little one with our feet and got it in!!  Ah, the small victories…

Tuesday, August 9, 2022-

Same song, second verse: no going today because of wind and waves.  Tomorrow really looks good for now.  Needless to say, we’ll check it out tomorrow morning for the “real” data…

Pictures for this blog will come later.  Internet too slow!!

 

Day 4 in North Tonawanda, NY

Yesterday we collected our laundry, with the help of an Uber.  Then we tackled the issue that’s been with us since we started this trip: our navigation system doesn’t work as it’s supposed to.  We should be able to pull up a route that we’ve set up on the iPad and have our boat automatically follow the route.  Apparently, there was a problem with the “chip” installed…and we had to lift the upstairs helm panel (HEAVY!!!) to get the minuscule chip out and then spend hours talking to Navionics…and this morning to Raymarine.  Part of the issue was fixed, but as of this moment it still doesn’t work right.  Wayne’s upstairs now working on it with phone in hand…

Meanwhile, Maggie and I had our morning walk and came upon a “watch cat” at one store window.  The cat had been snoozing until Maggie stopped to check it out, at which time the cat sprang into attack mode and slapped the window with it’s claws extended…







Walking back to the boat I snapped this picture of how things are during the week here.  We’re the lone boat at the very end of the left bank….





Oh, and that bridge behind us with the huge cement “masher” poised above the boat (at least it is in the picture…)?  That’s a bascule bridge built to allow tall vessels to pass under when the concrete block is allowed to lower.   See more about it here:
https://theniagarabranch.wordpress.com/2015/07/25/bascule-bridge-at-north-tonawanda/

Speaking of that bridge…kids have been jumping off the bridge every day we’ve been here.  Sunday there were about 8 or 9 kids repeatedly jumping…until the police arrived and took “information” from all of them…which I bet included parents’ address.  Then, today, again more jumpers….

Wayne's still at work with the navigation system....sigh.  You might want to see what has to be done to the upstairs helm to access this teeny, tiny chip...

 Saturday, July 30, 2022 - The best laid plans...

So, our aim today was to go from Brockport to Lockport and spend the night there.We hadn't identified a specific place in Lockport...but, it being the location of the Erie Canal Discovery Center, we were sure there must be space available for overnight dockage.  Wrong.  

Early in the day we got behind a boat named Cat Nap and followed it until they left the Erie Canal.  The areas we passed through today were very much agricultural with fields of corn and large farms.  Beautiful!  Cat Nap was going to try for Buffalo this evening so we were both interested in going as fast as we could and still be mindful of areas requiring "no wake."  It made for a longer day.  We got to Lockport and Maggie Jo looked for a good place to tie up on the lower side of the locks (there are two locks connected, a flight it's called) and found only one area with a park...but there were woven wires running along the docking wall and we decided to go on up the locks with Cat Nap.  That is until we hailed the lock and were told we should tie up to the wall and wait until signaled to come in.  Obviously they were having a problem with the lock.

We did as told and waited there about 1/2 hour until a truck drove by with the replacement lock tender.  He said he would check on it and let us know what's going on.  He no sooner got there than he called back and said we could come on in...which we did.  Into the first lock...up a good ways...gate opens and we sail into the 2nd lock, a bit shorter ride... and out of the locks on the Erie!! Last locks!!

We tried hard to find a place to tie up for the night but it just wasn't there.  Might as well go on over to North Tonawanda NY and spend the night in the Gateway Harbor there.  It was 6:30 before we reached the harbor (we left Brockport at 7:30) because it was mostly "inhabited" waters we passed though and we were constantly in "no wake" zones.  

When we finally came upon the harbor it looked completely full...just like it would be on the Saturday night it was.  We went up and down and finally spotted a place but got beat out by a boat that crossed the harbor to land it first.  Glancing across the harbor we saw a smaller boat leaving and the space left looked big enough for us.  We crossed the harbor and, wind playing with us all the way, Wayne got it in there!  People were gathered to see the show!  

We settled in for a stay of 2 nights...maybe more.  $35/night with water and power.  The upper deck was a perfect hang-out to take in all the activity and relax at the end of a LONG day!

 First, a view of us parked in the North Tonawanda Basin

 

 

 

And photos gathered along the way from Brockport...

 

 

Brockport main street

 

 

Oh, if only we could go 40mph!!

 

 

Horse statues are everywhere up here to acknowledge their  part in the early days of Erie Canal when barges were pulled along by horses on the path alongside.

 

Sunday, July 31, 2022  

This morning we lazed around a while after both having a good night's sleep.  Then we decided to get an Uber, drop off our laundry for wash and fold, and let the Uber drop us off for groceries.  Baskets full, we called another Uber and made it back to the boat in pretty good time.  This afternoon we've relaxed and settled into watching the boats and people passing time.

One thing to mention here: Maggie May has learned she can jump from the boat onto the wall or dock we're tied to.  So far, she's still with us...but it's added a whole 'nuther aspect to having her aboard.  Needless to say, she can't be on deck by herself!

We've signed up for a third night here so we have another day of rest to look forward to. ;-)  Then we'll head to Buffalo for several days.