TALL SHIPS

You never know what you'll see on the lakes. This tall ship was entering the Erie Harbor as we were leaving. Mike was cleaning the front of the boat where some birds had done a job on it. An elderly lady was passing by and he told her there should be a law about birds eating blueberries. She said, "I like blueberries." Mike said to her, in all his candor, "I hope you didn't perch yourself on my boat." Thank God she laughed.

Sandusky, Ohio and Cedar Point

Sandusky Yacht Club is a great place to stay. We did a lot of bike riding around the waterfront. Many people keep their boats in a boat garage. Some of our friends would like to have a regular garage like these. They have refrigerators , televisions and all the pleasures a man could want. We spent one day at Cedar Point. It was easier to take the dinghy over to the park and dock it then it would have been to get a ride. What an exciting amusement park. It has a ride called "Race for the Sky" it's a thrill dragster. At 120mph, 420-feet tall, I actually heard Mike yell while I swallowed the lump in my throat. What an adrenaline rush! At this club they have a buffet special...prime ribs and crablegs. Again, why cook when you can eat out.

Presque Isle, Pa., Ashtabula and Chagrin River, Ohio

• We arrived at Erie Yacht Club late in the afternoon. We docked, tied-up, hooked up the electric, registered and Mike was just about to open his first beer..NO...we have to let customs know we are back in the USA. You must go to the U.S. customs service's private boat reporting system at a state park and use a video phone. It was starting to get real nasty out; the wind was blowing and the bay was getting choppy. We got in the dingy and started our half hour ride. There shouldn't have been any problems; after all we have our decal number, our documentation number and our passports. I think it was easier to get a mortgage on our house then it was to get back into the country. Name, repeat that please? Address, repeat that please, how many on the boat, their names, name of boat, size, the U.S. marina you will be arriving at and the total of all purchased from Canada. Finally, we were able to relax, we were not going to be shot.
• Now, the half hour ride that turned into an hour and a half - We had to " GO FOR IT". We were soaked to the bone. The water was so rough I thought we made a wrong turn and entered one of the shows where they put their traps out for king crabs in the Bering Sea. Turns out the name of the bay was Misery Bay. Perfect name.
• The next day we took our bikes to Wolverine country. At the waterfront you can tour the floating maritime museum featuring the U.S.S. Wolverine, the first iron-hulled steamship. Mike loves history; learning about Admiral Perry was a bonus for him. At the park there's a bike trail that takes you all around Presque Isle. It is similar to our Wantagh Parkway path, but this one is all shaded. There's also an ecological preserve.
• After dinner, the club we were at had a bagpipe group, a band and a great fireworks display. We had a good time dancing.
• In Astrabula, the waterfront is not that inviting. The first thing you see is coal, coal and more coal. We stayed at the Ashtabula Yacht Club. There we met Chris and Rich who invited us to spend a few days with them at the Chagrin Lagoon Yacht Club. We really like to avoid big cities, like Cleveland and this was just before that port.
• For Father's Day the kids gave Mike a Stow N' Go propane barbeque. The regulator broke. We knew it was purchased at West Marine and there was one in the next town. Chris and Rich offered to drive us there. It's about 4:45 and it takes 20 minutes to get there. You realize it's the start of rush hour and the freeway has heavy traffic. Bad news - when we arrive, they don't have the part. Good news - they will be happy to exchange the barbeque. Bad news - it's 5:15 and they close at 6:00. We get in the car and race back to the boat. Rich said, "O.K. we can do this." We start back to the store and we get stuck at a traffic light that only lets 2 cars pass before it changes. After 4 lights we get through, it's 5.45. Rich puts the pedal to the metal and we get back to the store at 5:58. We made it! Again, you meet the best people on boats. By the way, we were too tired to cook...we ordered PIZZA!
• The next day we took the dinghy to the beach. You have to wear water shoes, there's just too many rocks.

Lake Erie

Hello to all the great couples we have met so far. Mike and Cathy, Xplorer. Larry and Sue, Twos The Limit, God Bless Them. Larry and Gail, Tropical Gale Winds. Bob and Donna, Island Moose. Tom and Gerry, Sea Knight and Rich and Chris, Unforgettable. O.K. we take the good with the bad, we tell the good and the bad. Port Colborne is just outside the Welland Canal. We stayed there because we were exhausted. When we got up. the weather was a little nasty, the waves were 3 feet. By the way, you really have to listen, sometimes they use meters, 3 meters would be 30 feet. We decided to take the chance and surprise Larry and Sue in Port Dover. We did not have a chip for the north side or the Canadian side of Lake Erie, our chip stopped at the US border. We were about 2 miles off shore and Mike had a way point on the world map. I was watching the depth...it went from 40 feet to 10 feet then 2.2 feet. Mike pulled back the throttle to neutral and we heard ping, ping, ping eight times. We held our breath, our hearts were beating fast and the sweat was coming out of every pore. It wasn't a sand bar, it was one of the 2 rocks in Lake Erie. We started out slow and Mike felt a vibration at a high speed. We reached Larry and Sue and had the boat hauled the next day. On land the boat next to us was a 39 foot Sea Ray with $50,000. worth of damage because he hit a rock. He needed new props, transmissions, shafts and struts. Well, we didn't do that bad. Mike took off the props and had them sent out to have whatever they do to bent props. Remember I told you what beer and milk cost in Canada?, well we won't be eating out for a week or two. We still had a great time in Port Dover thanks to Larry and Sue. We headed across Lake Erie to the Erie Yacht Club. It's so great being in the lake, you jump off the boat and take a swim. No worries about big fish or sharks, of course Mike keeps telling me about the lake monsters. Anyway, you take your soap and shampoo in the water get washed and then turn on the generator and dry your hair. You know how at the club you wake up in the morning and the boat and everything is soaking wet? Here it's all dry when you get up...I guess the moon dries it!

OH CANADA

Upon returning to the United States from any port outside the country you are required to have a US Customs decal. This decal can be purchased for an annual user fee of $27.50. We are armed and ready with this decal. We were told that without it we would not be shot, but it could be a hassle. So, sometimes being a "goodie-two-shoes", I followed the instructions. More later. Leaving the USA and riding across Lake Ontario all you see is the expansive blue sky and then a view of the city of Toronto. We docked at the Royal Canadian Yacht Club. No trailer park for us. It is 23 acres, with a pool, tennis court and lawn bowling. You must wear "whites." In the formal dining room, jackets are required. You know I didn't get to eat there! I'm happy Mike has a pair of shoes with him. You can not walk to the pool in your bathing suit; you have to shower and put your suit on at the pool. Lots and lots of rules. You can walk or ride bikes for miles, which we did. Alcohol can only be consumed on your boat and we could not use our skateboards at all. There's some kind of flurry feather-like white dust falling from the trees. It's all over the place; stuck to boats, webs and docks. This pollen is driving me crazy, I can't stop sneezing. We took our bikes along a sea wall and the shoreline of Ward's, Algonquin and Center Islands. Just beautiful. Still, you must take the good with the bad...Bugs, bugs and more bugs. There's a launch that runs every half hour to the city. We went to the CN Tower. It's the tallest free standing structure in the world. We ate at the Revolving Restaurant overlooking the city skyline. It goes 360 degrees in about an hour. The view was breathtaking and so were the prices. We helped pay the Canadian National debt. You only pass this way once. We are staying 2 or 3 days everywhere we go. We are also trying not to travel more than 4 hours at a clip. Next port was Niagara-on-the-Lake. We stopped at a sailing club. Wherever we go, power boats are out-numbered 40 to 1. At the marina they have the whirlpool jet boats. They take you to where the whitewater waves mix with the swirling currents and form a whirlpool. Not good for a bad back or heart. You have to sign a release that they are not responsible for any injury......makes you think we are crazy. This town also has many wineries. Since we were riding our bikes, I was afraid to drink, I didn't want a BWI. There are dozens of little shops for anyone who enjoys browsing. If you continue along the bike path you can get to the falls. This town is known for its Shaw Festival. Port Dalhousie is only an hour away, that's our next adventure. We, again, took our bikes into town. You can see Murphy's Tavern and a picture of the 1920's carnival carousel, it still costs just a nickel. We spent the night at a Jimmy Buffett party. "It's five o'clock somewhere." At Port Dalhousie we made arrangements to go up the Welland Canal to Lake Erie. The Welland Canal is 23 miles long with a 326 foot lift through 8 locks. Each lock is about 46 feet deep. Each lock is about 80 feet wide and 1000 feet long. We saw a tanker that was 78 feet wide and almost 800 feet long. Obviously the tankers have the right of way. You must have a 3rd person on the boat, we had to hire a deckhand. The lock cost us $200. A tanker has to pay $23,000! These locks really had my stomach in a knot. Passage takes about 12 hours depending on the traffic. It wasn't so bad, we made it through in 7 hours.

Lake Ontario

On our way to Brockport the port engine started to overheat. Mike turned it off and went down to check. With all the extra parts we have--no impeller. The closest port was Rochester. We pulled into Shumway Marina, very accommodating. Confirmed that it was the impeller. It would take 2 days to get the part; Mike said, "Order 2." Our sister-in-law Trudy's brother and high school friend of ours, Ed, lives in Rochester. We gave him a call and he was there within the hour. It was rainy and cold. I took his car and went to the laundry and did some errands. Mike and Ed drank some beer, but they told me it was water. When I came back we caught up on some old times and went for a late lunch. The next day we were on our way. We pulled into Oak Orchard Yacht Club. One member came up to us and asked if we were yacht club members. After we showed him our travel card he said, "Welcome" and showed us around. WHAT A PLACE! Tranquil, isolated and beautiful. We went up to a covered desk on the dock to sign in. The first night was free; after that $10.00 a night. Then, we went up to the club house - bar, showers, ice machine, washer and dryer, barbecue and picnic tables all for our use. We slept in the next morning and then cleaned what is called the boat mustache. When you're in the Erie Canal the water is brown from all the sediment coming down from the mountains. It actually stains the boat. We cleaned it off with lemon juice. What a pleasure to clean the boat in fresh water. No hose needed, just scrub and rinse. In the afternoon we explored the Point Breeze Harbor by bike and in the evening by dinghy. We had a terrific dinner in a restaurant on the lake. During the night something kept hitting the side of the boat. We would both get up and check out the water. Nothing was there. It happened again and we still could see nothing. You know how Wally and Mike belly butt when they win a horse shoe match? Well, Karp belly butt to release their eggs. They hit each other on the sides of the boats. So much for relaxing reproduction. I could live in Point Breeze.

• Saturday, June 9th

We are in Wilson, N.Y. at the Tuscarora Yacht Club. It was truly a Gregg Day. (A Gregg day is when you get up early and are busy all day having fun) It started with a bike ride into town to do a little shopping and looking around. Then we went for a dinghy ride in and out of lily pads. The flowers floating were something out of a painting. Then out into Lake Ontario with the sun keeping us nice and warm.

Today is Tuscarora's sail-by. A ceremony similar to our Memorial Day. Then the sail boats get in a line and go around the harbor and then into Lake Ontario. We were invited to join Bob and Donna on their 42ft boat, Endeavor. My guess is that 30 boats participated. What a spectacular parade. After that, all met in the club house for a pot luck dinner. We were introduced as guests from the Sea Horse Yacht Club. Mike thanked everyone for a wonderful day. I could live here.

• We arrived at Kingston Town Dock around 4 on Thursday. The dock master was among the missing. We asked around and nobody knew where he was. We called my cousin Pete, he lives in High Falls, and asked him to meet us. We went to dinner,(my favorite thing to do)at a restaurant on the dock, it was great. Turns out it was the place to go. Pete showed up around 7 and we talked and laughed for hours.
• We wanted to leave early, the dock master still wasn't around. We left him a note with my cell phone number and told him to call us and we would send him a check. He called us around 11 and told us because of our honesty there was no charge. (Pay it forward)
• Next docking, the Troy Town Dock. My tire was flat on my bike, the Dock Master gave Mike a ride into town to have it fixed. Real nice people. The next morning we went to the local farmers market. Lots of nice fresh fruits and veggies. Mike wanted some important stuff like sambal chili aioli and wasabi aioli and garlic aioli.
• Friday - we were ready to start the locks. Let me describe the the locks for you. They're usually made of steel or broken cement. The water swirls around and makes quite a bit of turbulence. I wore my life jacket. The walls are slim and green muck, really messy. You pull up as close as you can to the wall, grab a line that hangs from the top, hold on to it until the water comes up or down. Some are as much as 50 feet.
• Locks 2 through 6 are taken as a set. Once you start you can not stop from either direction. This is called a flight of locks. Total distance is less than 2 miles, yet the combined lift takes you up a little higher than 170' ft. (17 stories). We were all set to start when we saw a couple that we have been corresponding with.. We stopped to say hello. Then, another couple needed a place to dock so we moved our boat to accommodate them. Where else but on the water can you meet some couples at 5 and have dinner with them at 7.
• On Sunday we went to Mass at a church in Waterford. We went to a little diner for breakfast. Two eggs, ham and toast $1.75 . In the afternoon we went for a long bike ride on Peables Island.
• Monday - we decided to start the locks. As we were entering it started to rain and then the wind picked up. Between the rain and wind it was nerve racking. We made it through without an incident. Well almost, I don't know what I did, but my hand looks like I'm wearing boxing gloves. Mike thinks I broke a small bone. I'm black and blue from my knuckles to my elbow. I guess I'm taking over for Mike.
• The Erie canal is absolutely beautiful. You ride for miles and just see the great landscape on both sides all green and quiet. In the distance you can see golden arches. Turns out there's a McDonald's drive in on the canal. I couldn't believe it.
• The next day the wind finally settled down, the locks were a pleasure. We stopped at Little Falls. We took our bikes for a ride. The hills were huge, thank God you only have to peddle up one way. Before we knew it we were in the middle of Lake Oneida. It's about 20 miles long and 4 miles wide. It was mirror like calm. Mike decided to take a swim. He kept telling me to jump in, that the water was warm. . .like I believed him.
• We stopped at Esskay Marina in Brewerton, N.Y. for 2 days. We did a little walking, shopping and relaxing. We were sooo relaxed; we watched 2 little boys try to get their Lab puppy into the water for his 1st swim.
• Then down the Oswego locks. Going down it's a lot easier than up. There are 7 locks--but they call it 8, number 4 lock is skipped. At the end of the locks is Lake Ontario, it look like an ocean. We started out clear and flat. After we committed ourselves the fog rolled in and Mike had the radar set for 1 mile. There were no other boats near us.
• We pulled into Sodus Bay Yacht Club around 3. The club was having an antique wooden boat show. Mike was impressed with the detail and beauty of the boats. Lots of work. Most of the boats in the club were sail boats, about 50. There were 12 or so power boats. We were docked right behind their club house and restaurant. They had a trio playing our kind of music. Everyone was very friendly. We had prime ribs for dinner...very reasonable.
• Sunday, after Mass, we had breakfast at the club, then we went for a ride in the dinghy. We noticed some black clouds coming in from the south...we were told to watch out for southwest winds, they're real bad. We headed back to the dock just in time (there was a wedding going on and the wind was so bad it took down the tent). They said the winds were 70 miles an hour. All I know is the boat started rocking and hitting the dock. Several of the men came over and helped us secure our lines. Then Mike became part of the team and helped others. Finally, just like at home, we had a storm party.