The Boating Saga continues!

Left the house at 8:00 a.m.- stopped by the marina to see where to dock the boat before we got the Gypsy Wind over there...It got down to 29 degrees during the night...Ken had a little problem starting the ole girl...she was cooold! I took the truck back to marina and he was to drive over and meet me there...I would help him dock....I watched him turn the corner from the canal into the bay where the marina is and he stopped..I figure to move the fenders or bumpers from one side of the boat to the other side so that he could dock on the side the dinghy motor was on to make it easier to get the motor off the boat...It was still very cold to me 47 degrees. So I see him give the engine some gas and he didn't move- "she ain't going nowhere" He's gone aground...sailing 22 years and never went aground before...stuck in the mud...no cell phone! to call me and I had no cell phone to call him...great just great...I walk back to where a guy is taking boats out of the water and told him the problem..all he had was a rowboat...that's not gonna help..So this guy just drove in with a trailer attached to his truck....He got out to talk to the guy pulling the boats and heard my troubles....he said, I have a 27 ft boat, I can help try and get him out...I thanked him profusely, but he said I need a ride to get my boat...I took him across the canal to the other side where he kept his boat...parked the truck, got on with him to help and we headed back to Ken. We get to the Gypsy Wind and Ken ties the man's line to the front of the boat....pulled and pulled- no budge..I thought the line was going to snap and break...so they then tied it a little differently to pull towards middle of the water...after a few tugs, IT CAME OUT OF THE MUD- YIPPY! The angel that came to our rescue gave me a ride back to the truck, then he took his boat back to the marina to get pulled...Mr. Al Carbone...he owns a car dealership or two...told me when I need a new car to come see him...I said I would....He hauled his boat out and hired someone to drive it down to Florida for the winter....Thanked him again and he thanked me for the ride...he says thats what we boaters do.....Ken docked fine and we unloaded 4 totes, plus dinghy, motor, canvas,life veswts, food,charts,etc....we really think it is about done...of course the "Fat lady hasn't spit yet!" We won't be done until out of water in the cradle and covered up!What a ride!

End of the ride - for this year! But not over yet!

Got up this morning, called the lockmaster at Lock 23- yep locks are open, but Lock 23 is broken - fixing it now...not sure how long before working....all we needed to hear....we untied the boat and took off around 8:00 a.m....whoa nellie....was it cold this morning...down to upper 30's...it was 41 degress when we left...boy were we not prepared for this cold of weather....at least not on the boat....we had sweatshirts, fleece jackets, gloves and still about froze to death...of course we were out in the wind and the boat speed affects it as well....we will be much better prepared for cold and rain, next Spring...

We got to Lock 23 at 9:30....we went thru the gates and changed sides that we lock thru (use to go to the right, we went to the left) made our best lock thru...no bumping or missing ropes or ladders or anything...went smoothly...of course our pass expired 2 days ago...we got through anyhow...no problem..I will write the NYS Canal Authority and see if we can get some money back...

then about an hour later we were into Oneida Lake and headed to Sylvan Beach...what a quiet ride down the canal, lovely homes - then part way to the lock, we started seeing other boats heading towards us...that meant the locks were working, yippy!

If we had to be stranded in a little town, no better than Phoenix, NY...loved the people and just everything...just needed to move on....

Landed at Sylvan Beach at 1:30 PM...Our daughter-in-law (Diane) picked us up a little after 2 PM...took us home so we could get our car....she had to go pick up the kids and then would meet us later at our grandson's (Steven's) soccer game. This was our first game to get to watch...we didn't think we would get to see any...it's funny how some things work out...he made 2 goals and 1 assist...our team won 4-2 I believe...hugs all around, then we headed to Phoenix to pick Ken's truck up, then back to Sylvan Beach to get some things off the boat...we have lots more to unload...we will go back tomorrow morning, move the boat to the marina then unload some more and then after they pull the boat, Ken will winterize it...that will be it.

Yes, we are disappointed that our trip ended after just 2 weeks...don't know why things happened like they did, but God willing and the creeks don't rise, this journey will start back up...


Thanks for following our journey with us!
Above all...
Thank God for blessing us and our Guardian Angels for watching over us!

Day 12- Need to get out of this town!

Lovely town, but after 11 days in the same spot, it is time to move on..I ck'd the NYS Canal mariners report and locks are still closed. We were hoping they would open at noon today, but lockmaster says no guarantee...Dang it...Well our weekend went well, Saturday, good friend Bill Hill stopped by to see us...He lives in Rochester area...he was suppose to go part way thru the canal with us to help do the locks...we had a timing issue: we visited a couple hours and did lunch then he headed back home....Great to see him.....I met the local priest on Saturday and yesterday he came down to the dock to visit us...neat priest....he use to sail....more later, have to head back to boat and ck on Ken...he is depressed...the pastry shop is not open today...I am taking him a cinn. roll from the coffee shop.....I will ck back in if we don't get away today....

Oct 7th - Walk about!

Ken and I took off and walked the cat walk across the canal to "Lock Island"..It was very breezy - ck's weather radio and we had gusts 36-40 mph... There is some history here....

Center of Phoenix Fire Sept. 23, 1916

The blaze started by sparks from Sinclair Chair Factory on the Industrial "island" between Oswego River and Oswego Canal...It soon spread to the Duffy Silk Mill where the pumps for the water system wer located. Strong winds swept embers across the canal to the downtown area....destroying 80 buildings....from the River to Main St. and from Lock St. to Culver St....2/3 of the valuation

Downtown rebuilt 1918..

One of the few remaining Lift Bridges in the US....


After our walk, we headed back to the boat where we played cards, etc. while waiting to go to the River Rock for hamburgers and beer $5 night....when we heard this woman's voice outside the boat say "got any beer on board"...looked out and our good friends from Verona and also Cape Vincent (they have their boat there as well) stopped by to go have hamburgers/beer and watch the yankee game with us...they felt so bad we were stranded and just wanted to cheer us up. It worked....we had a great evening and lots of laughs. They were celebrating their 31st anniversary and we just celebrated our 34th a week ago, so we took each other out to dinner...just plain good ole fun....

Now today Oct. 8th- Ken left around 8:30 a.m. to go get Steve's trailer and drive to Cape Vincent and get the cradle for our boat, so when we get to the other side of Oneida Lake, we can pull the boat and store it for the winter....we will start back up as soon as we can in the Spring 2011....we were going to store the boat in Maryland, but just can't get there from here this year!

I am here at the coffee cafe and visiting with Tammy the owner and some patrons...my new hangout when I'm not being "Party Girl at the River Rock" haha

Ken should be back around 6 PM....or 7 PM..just hope all goes well for him.....

And the rain keeps coming!

The rain started around 11 PM last night and lasted until about 6 AM this morning...I finally put both decks of cards in "Time Out" as I can't even win at solitaire...guess it isn't in the "cards" get it...oh well.!

We went to breakfast this morning at Larkin's...nice friendly restaurant...even the locals say good morning to you....then back to the boat...very cloudy and the rain looks like it has moved on for a while...50's right now...may get to 60...the wind is suppose to pick up 20-30 mph...that will have that ole boat rockin and rollin....

Tonight is hamburger/beer night at the River Rock...we will go there to watch the Yankee game and eat/drink....as Toby Keith would say" I just love this ole bar".

The sun is popping in and out...Ken is walking around, I am about to sign off and go walk around town and around across the bridge to "Lock Island" there's a story there. I will write more later....hope all are well! we are just fine here!

We gotta get out of this town~

Oct. 4- Monday Day 5
We did some things that needed to be done, loaded up the truck and headed back to Phoenix to the boat....got there 4:45 PM
Boat was still where we left it...water still high no change
Stinkin fire whistle went off 3 times since we got to the boat till 9:15 - crazy
Still raining....missed our grandson's soccer game....they won 5-3 and Steven scored two goals (head butts) those just crack me up how they can get into that net...dang, I hate missing his games...he told gpa that after he scored and looked over to where gpa normally is and he wasn't there, sort of disappointed him..whoa, sniffle sniffle.....we ended up going to bed early -

Oct. 5- Tuesday Day 6
Yep, still raining, not heavy, but gloomy....I was at the cafe and Tammy (owner) got in touch with Todd Button whom we worked with and we haven't seen since Dec. last year and he called Ken and we went out to the River Rock and met him for dinner and catch up on what is going on with him....we spent a couple hours....it was good to see him again...He looked great and doing well. We went back to the boat around 8:30 PM...read, played cards, etc...good day!

Oct. 6- Wednesday Day 7
My brother John boy (Boogie)'s 64th birthday...Happy Birthday to him! I am singing..glad you missed it, haha....It is 8:30 when a NYS work boat came down the River...I thought, yeah, the locks are gonna open...Ken went down to ck with lockmaster....nope may still be a day or more...they have opened locks on the other side of Oneida Lake....so when Ken was heading back to the boat, he found a wallet in the street..went into restaurant to see if person was in there...no,but waitress said she knew whose it was and called him...Ken left wallet with her and walked next door to Pastry Shop....oh yeah, he bought pastries again....the guy found him in there and thanked him for finding the wallet....wanted to buy Ken's pastries, but Ken said not necessary, he was glad to have returned the wallet...guy thanked him again and away he went (late 20's or early 30"s) so you see, I have to get outta this town or I'm going to gain weight...nice little town....sun is finally out - cloudy, but that is ok, no rain so far....I like this town, nice people......but i still gotta get out of here.

Things are crazy!

Oct. 2, 2010 (Saturday)
We get up and go to the diner for breakfast...then decide what we will do for the day. Ken makes some repairs to the boat, windows caulking where we had some leaks,etc. I gathered the laundry and went to laundromat..It is only like 200 ft away or so...then after that Ken and I ate lunch on the boat, we walked around town a little and then we showered and went to 5 PM Mass...after Mass we walked across the street to River Rock Bar & Grill for supper, beverage and watch the Yankees beat the Red Sox 6-5....we had great food...Ken had the best Philly Steak sandwich he had ever had - I had nachos...oh my the peppers were HOT! We walked to the boat around 9 PM...tired so we went to bed ...11 PM first fire whistle went off....then 2:37 a.m. it went off again...dang I hate when I get woke up and can't get back to sleep...



Oct. 3, 2010 (Sunday)
Ken made an executive decision to call his sister Joyce to give us a ride to where our friends (Alex & Cindy) dropped our truck off in Brewerton...
We first went to the Cafe early and sat in back of the bldg. (it wasn't open)to try and get online...very cool around 40+ Ken took a walk over to the lockmaster to get the scoop on the locks...He told Ken all locks still closed...20 boats at Oswego wanting to get thru...also...not sure how long they will be closed...now our window to get out of the canal system is shrinking...we wanted to go with no time line, now we have one and it isn't looking that great....We got home and unloaded everything we had left in the truck from Cape Vincent....then Ken mowed the lawn and I did laundry and started puttig some things away...we ordered pizza, because our refrigerator is EMPTY....!!!!! We did bring milk home with us for breakfast....we will reload tomorrow a few things we forgot or need and head back to Phoenix ...the boat is docked at the town dock..nice facility...we have power and water....just don't like leaving the boat for long...Nice little town...we have what we need there...everything within walking distance...so this is it for now....more as soon as we have something new....

Day 2- 1 Oct 2010 Anniversary

We started off wishing each other a Happy 34th Anniversary...didn't think 34 yrs ago I would be doing what I am doing, but glad we are.

Got our showers, very nice facility...and shoved off...went thru 2 locks - got to Phoenix, NY Lock 1 - and that is where we ended up - flood waters,etc. so much water they closed the locks...the lockmaster let us thru when a work boat came thru at the same time to the other side of the lock, nice docks for spending the night...nice people...tied up at 1:30 left 8:30...so that is where we are..we walked town, ate fish sandwich at local diner,,,very nice...walked some more, found this coffee shop with wifi, so trying to catch up my posts...cooling down low 60's....hope we get out of here tomorrow or Sunday....lots of debris in the River, big and small logs, twigs, weeds, junk...all over

Day 1- Sept. 30 2010

We left the dock 4:30 a.m- pitch black outside, no moon....want to get ahead of the wind and the nasty weather for the next few days or be stranded here. We were out 5 min. we could see lights on Wolfe Islnad and Cape Vincent...we were looking for the green buoy in the channel, and a couple miles ahead of us we could see a ship heading in our direction so we wanted to give them a lot of room...when the engine alarm went off and the smoke came pouring out...Ken went down below to ck the engine, put me at the helm and I have a ship coming at me and he tells me to put it in neutral and head towards shore,and go parallel- great just great...5 min. out and we are going aground...he pulled a lot of seaweed out of the intake or whatever it is called...the alarm stopped squeeling and we put it back in gear and headed back out...this all happened before 5 a.m. First crisis averted.. still WONDERING about this trip..so many things have happened, but we are still going forward. We get to the mouth of the St. Lawrence River where it meets Lake Ontario, oh yeah, the 2 ft waves have now turned into 5 foot waves....what a ride...praying the entire time....wind and rain have now started....we made it across Lake Ontario in nasty conditions in 9 hrs. got to the first Lock in Oswego...pouring rain...locked us thru easily...no other boaters stupid enough to be out in this mess. 2"- 4" of rain expected...got all of 4" and it poured even harder when we tried to lock thru....we were absolutely drenched could see our breath in the air..we made it thru 4 locks, when we couldn't go any more. We docked at a little village dock at Minetto,NYat 3:20 PM-exhausted- dried off and ate supper and were getting ready for bed when we heard a voice say" anyone on board" Ken opened up and this nice little ole man gave us a brochure of Minetto and said he would turn the hot water on for us to shower in the morning and welcomed us....how nice was that and in the pouring rain..... oh yeah, our navigation station totally quit working so we don't have our mileage or time or speed or depth sounder...That was day 1- we are not giving up

What's up with this!

Our first night on the boat was a rocky one. We worked long and hard all day so we turned in early around 9 PM. We were the only ones in the Marina. It started when a cold front came through around midnight or so...the boat started rubbing against the dock...the fenders rubbed and made that squeaking noise...then some of the tie downs weren't snuggly tied down and snapped across the deck...the brace for the mast sounded like it would slide right off the boat....this went on all night until around daylight....I may have gotten a couple hours of sleep. It was so bad at 3 a.m. that Ken and I both were up and he went out to ck the lines,etc....nothing he could do with the wind,etc...we were secure....just didn't sound it....Yesterday it was 72 and this morning mid 50's. I have now put on long sleeves with light jacket.
What's up with this! what a difference 24 hrs makes.....I am at the Library using their computer, I could not get on ours NO WIFI. I woke up for the first time with sinus headache....I have got to get out of here, back South where I belong, hehe!
The waves yesterday were 7 footers so no way with that mast on like it is could we have left....today 2 to 5 ft....tomorrow early 2 ft. but suppose to have rain all day. We plan on leaving around 4 a.m. and try to beat the worst of the weather....the waves will be lightest at that time...crossing Lake Ontario will take a min. of 8 hrs for us...so you see, we need decent weather....rain is ok, waves are not....we would like to get just inside a couple locks in Oswego...then park for the night....If we don't leave, I will be back on line tomorrow about the same time...that will not be good...the weather up here is suppose to be nasty for a few days...I am still WONDERING - are we ever gonna get this trip started

WONDERING

I was just wondering if this day would ever get here and I am still wondering. We left for the Gypsy Wind this morning...got here around noon...unloaded 2 suitcases , 3 totes, many bags of food, misc. items, tools, radios, phones, charts,books and still more to do. Ken made braces for the mast...He is still working on them..we pumped out (very important) Mary does not like the stinky...then over to the gen pole and I did the crank and Ken put the mast on the brackets ( we have had rain off and on and wind-not good conditions, but do what you have to in between raindrops) We have had so many interruptions since Labor Day we were starting to think maybe next year!

We had a 10 day trip to N.C. Outer Banks Smith Family Re-union and boy was that fun. Of course Igor sent waves and wind our way for a few days then calmed down....but all was fun. On our way down to NC, we stopped along the NJ coast to see where we could tuck in if bad weather comes as we will be out in the Atlantic for 127 miles or so with minimal protective areas we can get into...God will guide us...I'm counting on that...ck'd on a couple marinas where we could leave our boat for the winter...we have no idea how far we will get before Thanksgiving...have to be home for that....then while in NC, got word my sister (Terry) that lives in NYC was seriously ill and in ICU, so we left the Outer Banks a little early to stop by and see her and see what we could do to help...the day we got there, they put her in a private room....she has improved and may go home in a few days....doing better every day because so many people care and have been praying for her recovery...not out of the woods yet, but we believe on her way....we got home late Sunday and washed clothes, went to store, pd bills all that stuff, then kids came over (hugs & kisses).
We packed what we could and then laid our tired heads down to sleep,,,,Oh yeah, went thru the mail and got cute little notice from Comm. of Jurors...great just great! still wondering if we will get away!

Now we are almost ready to go, but weather and waves are our problem for the minute.

I think I will get Ken to a stopping point so we can eat...
See what tomorrow brings......
I'm also going to try and post a couple pictures....I am so new at this and challanged as my sweet grand-daughter Kimberly would say.

HURDLES!

Well, we finally got the boat bottom painted and back in the water...Ken moved the boat to the main dock and tied up there for a couple weeks instead of our slip...This time of year the countries of Canada and USA lower the water level in the Fall to reduce the flooding for the following Spring and to make sure the Montreal port has enough water to do their shipping,etc, so it's always an issue with us getting our boat to the haulout so it can get pulled, cleaned and put in the cradle for the winter..We draw about 4 1/2 ft...so we have been known to get almost to the haulout when the boat just stops with a thud...we are hung up and can't get there...we have been pulled by tractors,trucks,boats and people - then finally getting to the haulout..I usually hold my breath during this time...So that hurdle is done. Now the next hurdle is building a brace to hold the mast on the boat...Ken started building that today. We then have to install it on the boat and get the mast on top of it..tie it down really good so it doesn't come off during our journey to Albany/Troy area where we will then step the mast(50 ft) and away we go.

We missed the last 2 weekends of hauling things off and putting things on that we will need because the boat was being painted. With the problems painting, they put the boat in a barn until they could finish it, and the stinkin birds poo'd all over it and I just cleaned it before all this started. Dang!

The last big hurdle is crossing Lake Ontario... we will need no wind or very little wind with the mast strapped on the top. Once we get to Oswego,(about 8 hrs) we start locking through to Oneida Lake...We will start in about 10-days if all goes well...It really is all coming together..and we are gettin excited...

Whoa Nellie! Labor Day weekend

Oh my gosh...we got to Cape Vincent Sat. morning to find our boat in the sling/haul out area....and the wind was howling....about 30 mph wind (constant) boats were coming in off the River to get shelter....the marina was making repairs to the docks and there was another boat in our slip, so actually no place for us to put the Gypsy Wind, so we just stayed in the sling until we left on Monday Sept. 6th-Labor Day...We had 2 of the younger grand-kids with us and they were so good...they found things to do (fishing, going to the park, riding bikes) while we found things to do.
Being away from our dock and wind so bad, we didn't get that much accomplished. I did take several totes of things off the boat that we won't be needing so I could make room for things we will need...

We went to 4 PM Mass, then out to eat...got back to the marina late, not much happening so we played dominos, cards,etc. then settled in our bunks....well the wind blew all night, got very little sleep...sounded like a teakettle whistling most of the night....the good thing was we were in a protected area and didn't go up and down like a lot of the boats did...I mean some of them went so high up in the air, it was scary to watch...some boaters actually found shelter on land...

Sunday, it didn't blow as much, but still very steady winds....little sprinkles off and on....Spent a few hours at a rec hall in the city of Cape Vincent...a gentleman at our marina is very sick and he wanted a party so he threw a party...It was a shore dinner and was wonderful...so many many people to see him and wish him God's Blessings....I have never seen such a wonderful get together with so many people contributing their specialty dishes....every kind of salad you could think of, plus, appetizers, desserts out the, well you know....and 110 lbs of fish fried up and to top it all off a special french fried bread that you could put cream, honey, and Jack Daniel's on....oh wow was it a great afternoon...good people and a wonderful tribute to a special guy....all the local fishermen donated fish,etc.I've never seen anything like it....

I only brought home one damaged child...Andrew (9) and all boy...he fell between the stable dock and floating dock and hurt his stomach and ribs...then at the party, he tripped and fell and had a huge bump on his shin...so at least his sister, Megan (12) didn't beat up on him as well...It really was a fun but busy weekend....we do really have lots more to do, but we got a little done along with the play time...

Beautiful Weekend

We bought a small microwave and looking for elec. fry pan for the boat...few more convenience items.....

Ken got a few things to make some minor repairs...and do one big enhancement...He added a water line from outside faucet directly into waterline on boat so we can get fresh water direct from faucet outside instead of water holding tank that he has to fill up every couple days.. Friday, Ken started stripping the sails off the boat, then we had to stop for a while late in the evening to do some wine tasting...
Saturday - we dropped the mast...some wonderful friends at the marina helped us..they are so good to us...It stresses me like you wouldn't believe....I did take pictures...going to try to post them....also Linda, our boating neighbor knows how stressed I get, because she gets the same way..when they drop their mast....made lunch for us...delicious! - So later that day we stopped the work, cleaned ourselves up and went to Mass....need all the help we can get...then got back and we all had a marina party...took our covered dish over - great job by the marina people every year.....food excellent...lots of belly laughing...later we went back to the "point" where we dock our boat and a bunch of us sat out till about 10:30 -continued the conversation,laughing and beverages...fun night!
Sunday, up around 8 am- went out for breakfast...got right back and started working on the boat...Ken doing repairs, me cleaning topside,etc. Very very warm and humid a bit...so we stopped and took a swim break in the St. Lawrence River...Not to say it is cold...I think we were in the water less than five minutes...just cooled off....then finished up and loaded up truck...took boat over to the haul out as tomorrow they will pull it and sand blast the keel and bottom, put anti-fouling paint on a few times, then next Friday should be able to put her back in the water.

Yep, this weekend was busy, but on so good!

End of August things to do....

Cindy thanks for your help....I have so much clutter in my head, I forgot how to blog...you are the best....

Have the Gypsy Wind hauled out so bottom can get painted and put back in the water....then get her ready to put the mast on board tied down.... that should be a week or so...then go from there.
I thought I better try blogging again before I totally forgot how to do it...

Everything seems to be going good right now....getting excited...

I can still use any helpful hints.....

Continuing to get things in order

Aug. 10, 2010

We talked to our Financial Advisor today and called our accountant to set up an appt.
I plan on eating good on this trip...need some CASH! hehe
Still trying to get all this paying on line set up....
Got most of our charts and a new Garmin for the boat, new VHS (handheld)
We are taking a trip to Albany to check out the marina that will step our mast after going down the canal from Oswego to Albany.... The mast is over 54 ft tall on the boat and will not go under most bridges from here to Albany, but will after we get on the Hudson....

Still working out the logistics....

Talked to the Postmaster....get mail set up,etc.

Pull the boat in 3 wks and get the bottom sand blasted and painted....

I am really starting to get excited....We have no agenda, just to GO! no timetable - do things as we go...
I have a big ole list and we have not scratched a few things off.

Also checking on Boat Ins. for Hurricane Season,etc....

We have lots more to do, but a dang good start....

Give us any helpful hints if you care to...

Pre Trip - No jitters yet

This is my first post...Just getting set up for the big venture in September.
Lots to do. Looking for any advice or ideas from others that have done ICW...
Gathering charts, getting electronics and getting the boat ready. Friends of ours have just finished the LOOP and have helped us tremendously....Ride of a lifetime for sure...can't wait.