Canterbury Sails by Chasseur: Dedicated to my Father

August 23, 2012 Thursday
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The plan was to tie up just befor Lock 20 in Marcy, New York. Pulling up to the dock another sailor came out to help us tie up. His name was Mike and he was heading home to Ann Arbor, Michigan. He had a long story he said, but did not elaborate too much, just that he had to get back to save his marriage!
We sat at the Marcy dock for an hour and watched the crew on "Eastbound n Down", and "Sunkissed" lock down. They were all headed to Utica. They helped us change our minds and so we shoved off the Marcy dock to Lock 20 heading for Utica.
We (Suzanne) had concerns about docking in Utica because the guidebooks said maybe 6 feet at the dock ("Chasseur" draws 6.3 dry) . As we approached the dock, we asked the crew on "Sunkissed" if they knew the depth at the wall. Captain John said to give him a minute and he would lead line the depth. He said he was getting 6 to 6.5 feet. Terry decided to try it. "Chasseur" is lighter and sitting higher on the water line without her mast and boom. Closer and closer we edged to the wall, then "Chasseur" "found" the bottom! That's where we stayed, not moving much in the water for the night.
At 1800 hrs Marguerite and Jon Edwards showed up at our boat with some "Italian Utica" delights, Tomato pie, veggie pizza, and "Utica Greens". Terry washed it down with "Utica Club". "Utica Club" has the distinction of being the first craft beer to be sold in the U.S. after prohibition. We will enjoy the garden tomatoes, peppers and zucchini they brought us.
After dinner we climbed into their car for a promised tour of Suzanne's father's birth and childhood home and neighborhood. A treasured gift, and much gratitude to Margeurite and Jon!!!! Dad, this stop was for you....enjoy the photos.

"You don't choose your family. They are God's gift to you, as you are to them."

Desmond Tutu