Oswego-back in civilization.

We are moored on the lock wall between lock 7 and 8 in Oswego, NY.  Lock 8 is the last lock before Lake Ontario, which has about 5’ seas right now.  The good news is the lock wall is free, and Oswego County has about 110,000 people, so we are back in civilization.  There are banks, grocery stores, restaurants and even a movie theater all within walking distance, and the town folk love boaters.  The trek through the Erie Canal was desolate, but pretty, and the few towns very small.  The people though went out of their way to help.  We passed the town of Ilion, NY home of Remington Arms.  It did have a gun museum, but we did not stop due to time constraints. We have eaten out twice here in Oswego, and cobbler is a big dessert here in berry country.  I had peach yesterday and blueberry today.  Definitely time to move on! 

The forecast changes every four hours and is wildly inconsistent.  It now is calling for 3-5’ seas tomorrow, diminishing during the day.  No rain, but it throws in “a chance of waterspouts”.  Every day it has that.  So an ok day to cross, unless a waterspout eats us… great.  The Nora, a 39’ lobster hull and we will attempt to cross in the morning to Kingston, Canada.  If it is too bad, we will be back on the wall. 

The high today was 65 degrees!  Where did we put the fleece jackets??

This boat from Madisonville, LA was docked at Brewerton, NY.  

Brewerton.

Left continues on the Erie to Buffalo, right to the Oswego canal.  We could not continue on the Erie due to fixed bridges with a 17' clearance.  We need 18'6".  One cannot do the Loop with a boat that cannot get under a 19' bridge.  

On the wall in Oswego.  The Nora is in front of Moondance.

Lock 8.  Note the whitecaps in the lake beyond.  

Oswego history.

Oswego downtown.  

Sailboats have to un-step their masts to traverse the canals.  The marinas have a thriving business on each end to either step or un-step masts.  

Score one for the French army.