Monday, August 31st, 2009

Mama and Papa went for a drive up to Belleville and out to Sandbanks while Rainer and I slept in. We met Pat for lunch at the Picton Inn and then met up later with Caroline, Jean-Pierre and Oliver when they arrived from Montreal. We headed for the boat to get Oliver settled in and Mama and Papa got back just as we arrived. More drinks at the boat, more cheese, and then we all went to dinner at the Waringhouse Pub. Of course we had to stop in at the Acoustic Grill for a nightcap on our way back into town!

Tuesday, September 1st, 2009

Had breakfast at the Picton Inn with Mama, Papa, Caroline, Jean-Pierre and Oliver before saying our goodbyes to M & P. Caroline and J-P came down to the docks to see us off. Head out to Waupoos at around 11:00 am and got there around 2:30. Oliver seemed to handle it really well and enjoyed his first real boat trip! Things were pretty quiet at Waupoos. (Thank heavens --- after all the eating and drinking over the last four days, I need to go on a diet!)

Wednesday, September 2nd, 2009

Got up at the crack of dawn, 5:30 am, and left Waupoos as the sun was rising shortly after 6. The lake was beautiful and calm and I got pictures of the sun as it rose above the horizon. Once we got beyond the land, the water was a bit less calm and become progressively bumpier as we got out into the middle of the lake. Poor Oliver, who still hasn’t had much of a chance to get his sea legs, was feeling a little green but the brave soul didn’t complain one bit. Once we arrived in Oswego, around noon, he was back to normal and couldn’t wait to have lunch! We all went for a walk into town to get him some ginger candies and ginger snap cookies. Apparently, ginger is supposed to help with sea sickness. We also checked with the lockmaster to get information about starting our trip up the canal. Oliver and I took the bikes out in the afternoon to buy a few things at the grocery store. Rainer also rode up a bit later to get some tie downs at the hardware store so he could secure the mast since it had to be stepped for the next part of our trip. Another barbecue meal of lamb chops for us and steak for Oliver. I think it will be another early night even though we don’t plan to leave until around 9 in the morning.

Thursday, September 3rd, 2009

Left Oswego at 10:30 am under clear, sunny skies and headed through locks 8,7,6,5. Oliver and I got the hang of it pretty quickly under Rainer’s superb tutelage and by lock 5 needed no direction at all. Had a small problem with the throttle as we went through locks 3 and 2 (there is no lock 4!) which Rainer was able to repair while I made lunch. Continued on to lock 1 after lunch and stopped in Phoenix (New York not Arizona!) for the night. I took the opportunity to do laundry while Rainer made dinner since we were docked right behind a laundromat.

Friday, September 4th, 2009

Left Phoenix at 8:30 in the morning, another perfect clear day. Went through lock 23 and then stopped in Brewerton for fuel. From there we crossed Lake Oneida. It was lovely and flat, the advantage of leaving at a reasonable hour as we witnessed later in the afternoon when we were docked at Sylvan Beach at the east end of the lake. By late afternoon, the wind picked up considerably but we were comfortably settled on the south side of the canal (the quiet side). On the opposite shore, there was a fair ground and a lot of activity. The boats were docked three deep on the other side! Spent the afternoon chatting with a retired teacher, Annette, who had sailed across the lake with her little dog Ladybug, a miniature poodle. After an early dinner, we went to the fair for dessert. We discovered that Oliver likes gambling even more than eating! Back at the boat by 9 pm, Oliver read, Rainer worked on his sculptured playing pieces for the game he is creating and I went to bed! All this fresh air and exercise as well as the early mornings takes its toll!

(Got fuel in Brewerton, lowest price so far $2.29 a gallon for diesel. http://www.brewerton.com?)

Saturday, September, 5th, 2009

Got up around 7ish. Took my bicycle off the boat and went for a ride in search of coffee. Came back with a thermos of coffee and a bag of donuts for the boys. After my coffee I took another bicycle ride into town and went beyond the fairgrounds where there was a group camped out involved in some kind of re-enactment. They were all in old uniforms and had old canvas tents and were having their morning coffee out of tin cups around an open fire. Unfortunately, I didn’t have my camera with me but it’s a sight I won’t easily forget. It looked like a scene right out of some history book. When I got back to the boat, Oliver was still sleeping and Rainer was ready to cast off. Left Sylvan Beach at 9:00 am after the fog had completely cleared. Went through locks 22,21 without a hitch. We’re pros now! Pulled in to Utica, just in front of lock 20 shortly after 1. Waited out the rain on the south wall and then moved over to the north wall where there was power.

Rainer and I took a bicycle ride to the closest shop to buy beer, pop and fresh corn. Another lovely barbecue dinner, glass of wine and watching the sunset from the fly bridge.

Sunday, September 6th, 2009

Lazy start, left around 8:30, short day, only four hours till we stopped at Little Falls. Once we were tied up, we dragged Oliver on a walk into town. Did a little grocery shopping and stopped to buy a box of wine! I took advantage of the beautiful warm weather and went paddling most of the afternoon. I will be soooo fit!!! Lol Oliver has been reading already even though we told him school doesn’t officially start until Wednesday on board Perlita. We are making Tuesday a special holiday to celebrate the fact that everyone else is starting school! We all took advantage of the fact that we had free internet; Rainer updated the site, I did some bookkeeping and Oliver downloaded some games and chatted online with his friends. Went to bed shortly after nine since it was already dark and we couldn’t tune in any television station. We’ll have to get a digital converter for our tv.

Monday, September 7th, 2009

Really slow start to the day. Clubhouse didn’t open till 8 so waited till then to grab showers. Then a few boats pulled out ahead of us so we waited until 9:30 so we wouldn’t have to wait around in front of lock 17. Quite a few locks to go through today. It’s already almost two in the afternoon. We’ve been through locks 17,16,15,14 and are coming up to lock 13 in half an hour. We are planning to stop just before lock 11 and stay one or two nights depending on whether or not they still offer free mooring.

Stopped at Lock 11 near Amsterdam, NY. We had minimal power since the electrical outlet kept blowing the fuse until Rainer rerouted the wiring so that only the fridge was connected. Went for a bike ride with Oliver to see if we could find a shop but all we came across was a liquor store and an antique store and both were closed. Spent the rest of the afternoon just relaxing before dinner and listened to music. Got to bed early again!

Tuesday, September 8th, 2009

We decided to head on to Lock 8 even though we had considered staying put in celebration of the first day of school. Thought we should at least find a place where we had full services. Rainer and I went for a walk before heading off to see if we could find anything more than what Oliver and I had seen the day before; nothing. We didn’t leave till ten since it took longer than normal for the fog to lift. Went through locks 11,10 and then had to wait at lock 9 because they had a diver down looking at the mechanism. By the time they were finished, we were four boats waiting to go through. We stopped prior to Lock 8 where there used to be power but no longer is, and had lunch. We decided to carry on just a bit further and ended up at the Schenectady Yacht Club. Nice place and with a swimming pool! Of course, I went for a swim. Oliver got wet but got right back out claiming that it was too cold for him and Rainer didn’t even change into his swimsuit! After my swim, got the kayak out and went paddling. The local university rowing team was out practicing so there was a lot of traffic on the river. After dinner, Rainer and I went for a walk to the closest gas station and got ice cream for dessert. Stayed up later than usual; Rainer working on his models, Oliver playing computer games and I watching television.

Wednesday, September 9th, 2009

Got up at 6:30 this morning feeling energetic but my kayak was still wet with dew and Rainer decided we should probably get an early start so that we get a good spot in Waterford. Left Schenectady at 8:30 and managed to catch up to another boat already in lock 7 so we didn’t have to wait. We should be coming up to Locks 6,5,4,3 and 2 soon. They are called “The Flight of Five” and we will stop when we reach the Hudson River before Troy Lock.

Seems like it was a really long day --- did 6 locks and we are now in Waterford. After we tied up and got things in order, we headed into town for lunch, stopping at the Tattoo Parlour first at Oliver’s request! We had the best pizza ever at LaBella pizzeria and then crossed the bridge to go grocery shopping. We were all pooped by the time we got back to the boat; doing grocery shopping and then having to carry it back in the mid-day heat was not such a good plan. After relaxing for a while, I went paddling again. Now just waiting for the Captain to decide if we are going into town to the local pub for dinner or if he is going to barbecue --- ah, decisions, decisions!

Ended up eating at the Angry Penguin. (Don’t know why he was so upset, the food was great!) Oliver had steak, Rainer had fish and chips and I had a terrific seafood and Italian sausage pasta dish. We all walked back to the boat very full! Another early night so we could get an early start the next day.

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Thursday, September 10th, 2009

Arrived in Castleton around 1:30 in the afternoon and tied up to a mooring ball. I paddled across while Oliver and Rainer went across in the dinghy and we checked the place out. Quiet little town but a great little boat club. Everyone was really friendly. We paid for two days at the mooring ball so we will be here at least until Saturday.

Friday, September 11th, 2009

Started the day by paddling across to the boat club to get a thermos full of coffee. It started raining a bit on my way back but no big deal. The rain continued into late morning so we loaded up the dinghy and all went to the club so that Oliver could charge up his computer and Rainer and I could have showers and get something to eat. We went to The Inn for lunch. A really good deal for a basic homemade lunch and quaint little pub. Only distraction was the trains that passed by at top speed every 20 minutes or so! Had a few more drinks back at the boat club and sent Oliver for pizza around the corner before we went back to the boat for the evening.

Saturday, September 12th, 2009

Slept in since it was still cloudy and drizzly. Rainer got out the propane stove so I could make coffee since the electric stove kept blowing the fuse on the gas generator. At least we had enough power to keep the fridge cold. We decided to spend one more day in Castleton but opted to move the boat over to the dock since we had to put in some more fuel anyway. Once that was done, I hopped on my bicycle and headed to the closest ATM to get some cash. The closest one was about 2 miles up the road uphill most of the way. The trip back was a blast and a real test for my brakes! The club was putting on a corned beef and cabbage meal so we all sat down and feasted. Ice cream for dessert. Went for another short bike ride later in the afternoon. That’s it for exercise today! We are planning to head off in the morning. Hope the weather clears up by then.

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Oliver's Notes

August 31st: Today we arrived in Picton ON. It was a fairly long drive we ended up eating at KFC for lunch. We met up with mama papa Catherine and rainer. I got set up in the boat put away all my clothes etcetc. We went out for dinner it was very nice.

September 1st: Still in picton, we all went out for breakfast and said our goodbyes. We went back to the boat and we set off. At the end of today we were still in Canada and were in waupoos, Not much there but there was Wi-Fi which was nice.

September 2nd: We left Waupoos and boated for a long time, We entered the states and were in Oswego. We had to go through the border which was pretty cool I guess. Didn’t do much that day but I did go for a bike ride and check everything out. Oswego really isn’t all that interesting.

September 3rd: We left Oswego and went through “Locks” which are big water gaps that raise and lower to your needings so that you may continue your journey. We had to go through locks # 8,7,6,5,3,2,1 and arrived in Phoenix, Nice town, I really liked it there.

September 4th:We went from phoenix Sylvan beach sylvan beach had a fair which was a lot of fun, and this arcade which was the type of arcade you had to buy prizes with tickets. Had lots of fun. I'm a great gambler….

September 5th:We left Sylvan beach and went to Utica, It rained so I stayed inside all day. Didn’t have internet so I was semi-dissapointed.

September 6th: Left Utica and went through Lock 20 – 19 – 18 stopped before lock 17 and are now in little falls. Went for a long walk with Catherine and Rainer and picked up some groceries. Got wi-fi today so I was happy to talk to friends

September 7th:Little fallsWent for a long walk with Catherine and Rainer, Went through the largest lock pretty cool.

September 8th: Schenectady Called mom and dad today, said hi etc.etc. Did a few more locks were now at lock #8. We go through 765432 tommorow. There is no lock one… Excited to leave tomorrow and be in Waterford.

September 9th: Today were in Waterford, We went out for lunch and ate at an AMAZING pizza parlour, I really enjoyed that. We then went out for dinner later on that night to a restaurant called The Angry penguin. We all had a good laugh about it.

September 10th: Left Waterford, stayed in Castleton. Slept all day, did nothing

September 11th: Today we stayed at the “Castleton” Moring balls. Its pretty much anchoring with out having to lift the anchor… (J) We went to the town in the dingy, I brought my laptop and had wifi. It was a good day..

September 12th today we decided to leave the mooring balls and dock in Castleton., that way we would have power and essentials. They were selling corn beef at the bar which was okay, but the cabbage was gross. Didn’t do much today, since it was raining