Chapter 67: Oswego

Log 67
Oswego, NY

5:10AM
Sunday, July 23, 2000
Oswego Marina
Oswego, NY

Day 84

There’s a sign on the water tower here in town that says “ Oswego..Where the water never ends”. We left Chicago over 10 months ago, and we’ve been on the water ever since, so I guess they’re right.

Well as you can see by our location, we made it to Lake Ontario. In a few minutes (as soon as I can finish this log) we’ll be heading across it. The trip here was great. We left our slip in Brewerton about 6:30, and we made it to the first lock (lock #23 on the Erie Canal) by 7 AM when they opened. Once clear of that lock we had about 4 miles to go before we came to a place called three rivers, and joined the Oswego River, and the beginning of the Oswego Canal. This canal headed straight north, and took us to Oswego, NY (once we went through 7 locks) and the junction of Lake Ontario. When we got out of lock #8 (I know I said there were only 7 locks on the Oswego Canal, but some how they left out a number, and the last one is #8) we could see the lake, and it didn’t look good at all. There is a rock break wall at the lake’s entrance, and the waves were crashing over it like something out of a movie, so we decided that we’d make the trip when things calmed down.
Without being able to cross, we made some alternative plans, and found a marina to enjoy the rest of the day. (It was only 1 PM) Once settled, we took the dinghy off the swim platform, and Terry and I went fishing. Well almost. We went out in the dinghy, and decided we better get a fishing license, but after tying up to a wall, and walking into town to buy one, and the place was closed, we decided to just take a boat ride and not risk being pulled over by some conversation police.
We thought we’d go out to the lake and see how big the waves were, and if it had calmed down any. We came around the lighthouse at the mouth of the harbor, and got caught in a huge wave that almost came over the side of the dinghy. (It looked like something out of Perfect Storm of something) I made a hard right turn, and gunned the 25 horse motor on the dinghy. We were down in the wave, and working our way out. As it turned out there was no problem, but we looked at one another and were glad we had decided not to cross.
One thing I did forget that happened while we were getting our slip. As I was leaving the boat I knocked one of our folding chairs in the water (Annie..remember the one you knocked in, and Donnie caught? That one!) and we spent the better part of an hour trying to hook it with something, and get it out. Which we did, while Deb and Jeannie watched, laughed, and took pictures.
The rest of the day was spent doing a number of things, but nothing if you know what I mean. For dinner we decided to go out because Terry and I were working on the charts, and we figure that this may be the last restaurant we see for a few days. The Trent-Severn coming up is fairly remote, and we will probably be eating on the boat. We found a good place right next to the marina, and all had great meals. After which we walked into town and went to the grocery store for some last minute stocking up. (I don’t mind being in a desolate area, but I didn’t want to run out of tonic)
Once back to the boat things slowed down pretty quickly. The girls took showers, and Terry and I tried to throw a line in the water, and see if we cound snag anything. (Which may have been the only way we would catch anything) All we ended up doing was practicing for the big cast, because we didn’t catch any fish. I hope with all of the opportunities ahead of us to catch some big fish, I don’t end up just saying, “All we did was cast”.

Today…

NOA weather says, “winds less than 10 mph, and waves 2 feet or less”.
As soon as the sun is up over the trees to warm things up a bit we’re heading out. The chart plotter says we’ve got about 65 miles to our destination (Trenton Canada) on the other side. From our slip it looks like it will be a great day to cross. It won’t be “dead calm” but it shouldn’t be too bad. Whatever the case…here we go.

I’ll keep you posted..

BK