Aunt Aggie is the fourth boat in line now.
I had planned to sleep in today since we are staying in Sylvan Beach for the second day, and
rain is expected again. However, at 5:45 am I heard engines and men's voices. George got up and went outside in his pajamas to help grab lines. Three boats from the marina across the canal came
over and joined us on the east wall. They were driven by excited guys, getting ready for the 4th of
July celebrations. Apparently, we are in the best spot for the fireworks and parties on the 4th.
We met the guy in front of us and chatted with him throughout the day. He offered to drive us to the liquor store, but we needed a walk. We told him that we will wake him up tomorrow at 7:00 when we exit.
We had a quiet day. George did some office work; we walked to the liquor store; we made plans for entering Canada. We got out all our materials on Canada and planned routes across Lake Ontario and then west to Kingston and Trenton. From Trenton we enter the Trent-Severn Waterway. After we had spent a couple of hours on this, we got the word that the Oswego Canal, which we hope to traverse on Saturday, is closed due to flooding. So traffic north of us is stopped. We will still go across Oneida Lake tomorrow morning and enter Ess-Kay Marina in Brewerton. That's where we may get stuck.
We had a big storm this afternoon - lots of wind and rain. The power was impressive. After the storm three looper boats came by us. They had been in the locks and came out around 3:30. We watched them move toward the lake. Surely they were not going out on the lake now. No, they turned around and tried to tie up on the west wall ahead of us, closer to Lake Oneida. We went outside to help. The water in the canal was rough. The wind was up, keeping them off the wall.
The captains worked hard to turn their boats and head into the wind. The admirals had the lines ready to throw if they could just get closer. Several boaters came out to help, and finally all three boats were secure. It was exciting and satisfying.
Here is the west wall ahead of us, facing Lake Oneida.
We spent almost a week at Ess-Kay Marina last June between repairs and weather. They are very friendly people with a family atmosphere and there was a courtesy car. I worked in their flower beds and loved it - all part of the looper experience.
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