FYI – Nebo is up and running in Canada for Sunshine!

We finally got a break from the locks, for a few days, as we departed the Erie Canal and stayed July 10 –13 at the city marina in Oswego, New York, on Lake Ontario.

The “We Go Oswego” is the most popular route to Lake Ontario, the 1000 Islands and the Trent Severn Waterway. Loopers begin their journey at Mile 160 on the Erie Canal at Three Rivers junction where the 23.7 mile Oswego Canal joins the Erie Canal. The three rivers are the Oneida River, Seneca River and Oswego River. The Oswego Canal follows the Oswego River north to Lake Ontario. Along the way there are also some remains of the Old Oswego Canal which ran from Syracuse to Oswego as well as Fort Oswego (in Oswego) built by the British in 1755.  We ventured around the Fort on our way to dinner one evening.

Oswego, New York, proved to be a much needed four-night stay at one destination. It’s grueling for Captain Patrick to be at the helm from 7 a.m. to 4 or 5 p.m. each day. You dock the boat and then it’s time for dinner and bed.

Navigating each day to a new destination and deciding where to dock is challenging. Not to mention all those LOCKS!  Some more strenuous than others. There was one lock where we were at the very back, next to the gate, and afraid the boat was going to hit the gate.

Sunshine ran into some mechanical problems. Nothing earthshattering but still annoying – the toilet (most important!), windshield wiper, air conditioner, etc.  We ordered parts and had them shipped to Anne and Mitch’s son, Ray, who lives in Rochester. Ray kindly delivered them to us as he visited his parents in Oswego. Seems we always have something that needs to be shipped. Thank goodness for Amazon. But we still have to be on top of where to receive the deliveries.

We did secure a mechanic at the Oswego Marina who turned out to be excellent. We are blessed.

Another challenge was preparing for entry into Canada by boat. We researched travel restrictions – no cannabis or firearms, and limited alcohol – no worries there. -😊    There is online paperwork to submit for entering Canada, as well as re-entry to the United States.  Passports and COVID vaccine documentation had to be scanned.

Also we are looking for storage space for our boat in Michigan in late September and there seems to be a shortage of such storage facilities.

Long story short – this trip is not for the faint of heart. Being in the outdoor elements and observing the beauty of nature is exhilarating. But you can be exhausted at the end of the day. As our friend Marjorie O’Sullivan said before we departed: “Do you think this trip is a little radical?”

Nerves are on edge. I’m not the most coordinated and sometimes feel daunted by not knowing what to do on the boat. We are in close quarters much of the time. Yes, you see our beautiful photos and we do feel blessed for these once-in-a-lifetime experiences.  But it sure isn’t easy at times! 

Patrick had always said before we embarked on this journey “Cindy, you are always a flight away from home.”

He reminded me of this again in Oswego. There’s an easy flight out of Rochester. If I’m going to make the exit to Boca or Kentucky or the Lake – now’s the time, before we enter Canada.

I did consider it. For about two minutes. -😊  I knew there was no way I could leave.

After much needed talks with my brothers, two visits to Dunkin Donuts and a manicure/pedicure – I was back to being me. 

So Captain Patrick is stuck with the Admiral for the remainder of this great adventure! On to Canada, as you will see in our next blog post.

Here are photos from our stay in Oswego, New York.