August 3, 2009
Our friends from East Lansing, Mike and Marlene Cosgrove, drove back to Buffalo with us and survived the 46 mile long traffic back up. Whew! We wondered if that was a sign of things to come. IT WAS!!!!!!
Thank heavens for Mike's experience with tools and wood. With his help Lou has built a cradle to hold the mast on the boat that will last 100 years, not just the two weeks to get through the canal. That being said the cradle lasted 1/2 hour. When we left Buffalo and entered into the Niagara River, things began falling apart......literally! The strong current combined with choppy waves and big power boats rushing by us going full out. When we hit the 3 to 4 wake, Mike knew we were in trouble......BIG TROUBLE. The mast lifted off the transom support by about 2 feet and then the front lifted out of the bow pulpit and the support collapsed. Mike and Lou rushed to the bow to hold the mast down while Marlene and I were left in the cockpit to steer the boat. No worries though. Mike and Lou lifted the mast up enough to reposition the supports and everything was tied down very securely. Then it was HAPPY HOUR!!!!!
The Erie Canal was completed in 1825 after a 7 year construction period. At 2 pm we excitedly entered our first of 35 locks which will drop us a total of 338 feet. This one only dropped 49.1 feet. Each of us had different ideas of what we would find, but all of us are pleasantly surprised at the greenery and peacefulness. It's like traveling down the White River if it was 150 feet wide and 14 feet deep. We've seen a blue and green heron, a horse, black ducks, Canadian geese, a fox, a pair of egrets and a llama. It's just beautiful.
In one place we passed over the famous (of course we've all heard about it) Culver Road which was built in 1823. The road passes beneath the canal and drips water from the ceiling of the tunnel. I think I'd want to drive quickly!
There are a lot of walkers, joggers, and bike riders but very few boats. Today we passed 6 boats. It's as though this waterway was built just for us.
Anyone who knows me knows how much I like grocery stores. I could wander around one in every town whether I need anything or not. I've found the Bentley of grocery stores. It's called Wegman's and it's fabulous. There is a kids playland staffed by store employees so you can shop in peace. I could be lost in the fresh meat/deli section for days.
Tonight we are tied up in front of the ribs restaurant in Brockport, NY. Of course, we have to have dinner there. Yum!!!
Julie's baby is back in ICU with the same high heart rate he was born with. They had to shock his heart to get it to go back to normal by putting ice on him. Julie said it was awful. But he is fine now. They spent the night last night in ICU in Chaboygan but are due to come home any minute now. We decided not to allow the baby at the baby shower on Sat. We are afraid that everyone will want to hold him and with a weak heart, it wouldn't be good to be in contact with all those germs. There will be 90 people there. Jay and Nikki still have not closed on their house. Things keep coming up that need to be settled. I think it will be next week. Sure hope so. They are VERY VERY anxious and are driving me crazy. Love and miss you, Joan
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