bluenoser
Latitude:44.49344
Longitude:-79.14001
GPS location Date/Time:05/31/2014 13:25:59 PDT
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bluenoser
Latitude:44.53707
Longitude:-78.54788
GPS location Date/Time:05/30/2014 13:42:34 PDT
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bluenoser
bluenoser
Latitude:44.48854
Longitude:-78.23202
GPS location Date/Time:05/29/2014 12:30:59 PDT
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bluenoser
Latitude:44.29869
Longitude:-78.30459
GPS location Date/Time:05/28/2014 12:58:58 PDT
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bluenoser
Latitude:44.30884
Longitude:-77.95474
GPS location Date/Time:05/27/2014 13:11:51 PDT
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bluenoser
Latitude:44.23642
Longitude:-77.78485
GPS location Date/Time:05/26/2014 12:39:59 PDT
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bluenoser
Latitude:44.10149
Longitude:-77.57407
GPS location Date/Time:05/25/2014 14:31:14 PDT
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bluenoser
Greetings all,
BBQ Dinner on Lock Wall, Erie Canal
Arrived in Oswego, New York, this morning after stepping down through 6 locks, to get down to Lake Ontario’s level. I certainly write this letter with mixed emotions. On one hand, I am very anxious to get home, after being away for nearly 9 months. The next leg, (hopefully tomorrow) will be to Trenton, Ontario, which puts me on the home stretch. On the other hand, I am kind of sad to have my dream adventure come to an end. I have met so many wonderful people, had so many good times, and seen so many places, that I hate to leave it all behind.
Controlling Flood, Erie Canal
My last letter was from Albany, NY, where we dropped off Eric (brother-in-law), and Dave and I continued on to Troy. There, oldest son, Michael, picked us up and Dave and I had a wonderful visit with Michael, Chantal, and those three busy grandkids—Taylor, Everett and Caelan.
Dave at the ready, locking expert
During our visit, we were watching this nasty cold front making its way across New York state. Sure enough, it stalled right over the Erie Canal, and dumped enough rain to flood the system.
During last spring’s flooding, the canal authority was slow to control the water, and extensive damage to locks resulted. This year, the Canal Authority was proactive, and closed the system for several days until the excess water could be drained off. Dave and I had a two-day delay, but once we got started, sections of the canal kept opening in front of us and we carried on. The Oswego Canal opened yesterday at 2:00 PM and we were right there to carry on. So, all is good!!!!
During our progress through the Erie Canal, we traveled with two other boats—Pelican (from Green Bay, WI) and Mistica (from Minneapolis). They were great fun to be with, and the canal locks kept slipping by.
Then came Lock 16. We three little trawlers were approaching the lock, which had a wicked current flowing across the front entrance. Three big power yachts approached us from behind, and started passing us, at the last minute, to get the front positions in the chamber. The last big yacht, 74 feet long, squeezed in front of Pelican, hit the wicked current in front of the lock, and had to use excess power to avoid hitting the wall. It did hit, but not too hard. This excess power blew poor little Pelican sideways, the current caught hold, and Pelican slammed into the wall, damaging his transom.
Pelican’s crew were a father and son. The son is an expert in forensic computer investigations. He went and photographed the crew on the big yacht, and within an hour, he had their total history, as well as the yacht. I sure hope I don’t have to be a witness in a lawsuit, as Bluenoser was right behind Pelican, and witnessed it all.
I should mention that the lady (Toby) travelling on Mistica was quite a character. She took quite a shine to Dave. When I gave my boat card (which says “Jim and Wendy”) to her and Ruby, her partner, they said to Dave: “You must be Wendy!!!” Then Toby spoke up and said, “No, I think he looks like Twinkle Toes”. For the next few days, we all called Dave “Twinkle Toes”.
By the way, Toby also calls her partner and captain, “Pudding Head”.
Yesterday, Dave and I were crossing Oneida Lake, which is 35 miles long. We had passed a trawler going in the other direction. Shortly afterwards, we hear a radio call on the VHF, describing our boat, and asking for help. We turned around, and went back, and sure enough, the other boat was adrift with engine failure. Bluenoser to the rescue!!! We soon had him under tow, and delivered him into Brewerton, NY, where he had just purchased the boat, and was on his way to Albany. We didn’t want any money, however, as we pulled away from the dock, he had 3 twenties wrapped up in a tight little ball, and threw it at us, landing on our rear deck, across about 6 feet of water. Dave and I had a dinner on him, last night in Fulton, NY.
On the lock wall at Fulton, New York
Hopefully, tomorrow, we can depart Oswego at about 6:00 AM, which puts us into Trenton between 4 and 5:00 PM. Today was quite foggy over Lake Ontario, however, there doesn’t seem to be fog in the forecast for tomorrow. The conditions are just right for fog, and my “dam” radar has quit.
I have always said, that I would be home, in Penetang, by May 31. I find out now that the Trent Canal System is working restricted hours of 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM this summer and one lockmaster could be tending up to 3 locks. It may take me up to June 2 or 3 to get home.
Well folks, it has been an absolute “blast”, sending you my newsletters. There will be one more from home to rap it all up. I do look forward to seeing each and every one of you.
Packing them in, Erie Canal
Until then, be happy and healthy and of course, “Keep the dry side up!”
Bluenoserjim
Fort Ontario is located on the east side of the Oswego River on high ground overlooking Lake Ontario.
Fort Ontario was one of several forts erected by the British to protect the area around the east end of Lake Ontario. The original Fort Ontario was erected in 1755, during the French and Indian War in order to bolster defenses already in place at Fort Oswego on the opposite side of the river. At that time its name was the “Fort of the Six Nations,” but the fort was destroyed by French forces and rebuilt by British forces in 1759.
Read more at Wikipedia … http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Ontario
bluenoser
Latitude:43.46145
Longitude:-76.50967
GPS location Date/Time:05/24/2014 08:23:58 PDT
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bluenoser
Fulton is a small city in the western part of Oswego County, New York. The population was 11,896 as of the 2010 census. The city is named after Robert Fulton, inventor of the steamboat. Wikipedia
bluenoser
Latitude:43.31537
Longitude:-76.41373
GPS location Date/Time:05/23/2014 13:48:58 PDT
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Bluenoser heading for home …
"BluenoserJim" Great Loop Adventure 