Canterbury Sails by Chasseur: Oswego Canal to Sylvan Beach, New York

August 21-22, 2012 Tuesday - Wednesday

With her mast down "Chasseur" began her journey toward the Erie Canal. We entered the Oswego channel after 1008 nautical miles under our keel, leaving behind our 4th Great Lake, Lake Ontario. Terry was a little sad to be leaving his beloved Great Lakes. We had to complete the 7 locks of the Oswego Canal. This set of locks took us "up" to Oneida Lake. The Oswego River is one of only a few rivers that flows North in the United States. Going "up" in a lock is a little more tricky than going "down" as we previously did in the Welland Canal. There is more turbulence making boat handling more difficult. The Oswego Canal walls and the ropes hanging for you to hold on to are slimy. "Chasseur's" freshness from her morning bath was short lived. There is no help in these canals. We experienced canal lines that were too short, and distanced too far apart where upon one of us could not reach even with our boat hooks. When we learned that we could use recessed cables or ladders we just grabbed whatever was easiest.
We arrived in Phoenix, New York just after we finished the last Oswego lock. Waiting there for us was Jon and Arline Libby from Fair Port Marina with pizza and beer! What a welcomed sight! Shortly after, the crew from "Eastbound n Down" arrived and joined us for a canal side dinner.
From Phoenix we began our trek through the Oswego River. We made a stop in Brewerton, New York for fuel and a quick shop at the "Ess-Kay" marina and part store. If you need "anything" Kim the owner will find it and ship it to you "anywhere". She is searching for a new jib furling fair lead block for us, as we continue through.
From Brewerton we entered Oneida Lake. There are so many horror stories about this lake. It is very shallow and has reputation of "piping up". For us, she was a sheet of glass the whole way across. We
crossed the lake in no time.
We arrived at Sylvan Beach and tied up on the free dock wall. The Erie Canal begins here.
We spent the afternoon and evening walking and taking photos for Suzanne's father who enjoyed his summers here as a child. The photos in this blog are for you DAD...hope they bring back many fond memories. The amusement park here is from the 1800's. Suzanne rode the original merry-go-round from 1896.
We had the Buffalo Wings recommended to us by fellow sailors Marguerite and Jon Edwards (new friends from Utica). We met Marguerite's sister, Lina, who waited on us on the patio of the restaurant. We enjoyed visiting with her, even though the visits were in bits and pieces. Lina was quite busy! Tomorrow we will meet Marageurite and Jon in Utica.

There are very few marinas on the Canal. Usually, we tie up at free docks along the edge of the Canal. There are no showers at these free docks, but we can save money not paying for slips. We have mastered the art of "sponge bath".

"Living successfully is a matter of forming the right habits."

Earl Nightingale