Bridges and Locks

Aug 25 - Dunkirk, New York to Port Colborne, Ontario

Left the dock at 6:40am with no wind and thankfully no waves.  Unfortunately, this means no sailing. The wind picked up at around 9am and we put up the Genoa and Main.  We had a great sail all the way to Port Colborne.

Our friends Marc and Maryse called us from a winery and were going to meet us in the afternoon.  We had a great meet with Marc and Maryse and they stayed the night.

While we were waiting, a powerboat caught on fire at the gas dock.  It floated a short way off the dock and 3 guys on jet skies saved the day by catching the boat and towing it away from the docks.  A sailboat was also badly damaged by the heat.

We took off the windex and instruments form the top of the mast and stripped off the sails and dodger so that the mast can be removed the next day.  Also bought a fender to replace the one lost in Put-in-Bay OH.

Aug 26 - Porth Colborne, Ontario

Stepped the mast at 9am and was back at the dock by 11am.  Brian, Terry, and Marc finished building the frame and lashed the lines.  The technician came by for the freezer.  He ended up leaving the gas and gauges so that we can set the level overnight (total bill for the repair was $150......not bad!).

Aug 27 - Port Colborne, Ontario

Really bad weather day so we spent the day chilling at the marina and watching the Bourne series on TV.

AUG 28 - Port Colborne, Ontario to Buffalo, New York

Left the marina at 9:15am and headed to Buffalo.  The wind and waves were light and we motored quickly.  Reached Buffalo by 12:15pm and got into the Black River Canal system by 1:30pm.  The first lock was challenging but not as scary as the first two bridges.  We arrived at the Tonawanda town docks by 2:45pm.  We walked both, Tonawanda and North Tonawanda......nice but noisy.

Aug 29 - Tonawanda, New York to Medina New York

Left Tonawanda at about 8am and proceeded east on the Erie Canal.  A lot of bridges and two very deep canals.  This was the first deep canals and it was very unnerving.  There were two lift bridges and a couple of flood gates.  We arrived in Medina and tied up to the free town dock wall.  They allow anyone to stay there for two days.  While here, we changed the engine oil and fueled up from our Jerry cans.  We also had pie a the local diner.

Aug 30 - Medina, New York

We ended up staying another day and night in Medina.  We had a nice walk along the canal.....the views are spectacular!  Brian and Terry visited the railway museum while I stayed behind reading.

OH, PA, and NY

Aug 20 - Put-In-Bay, Ohio to Lorain, Ohio

Left the mooring ball at 8am and had to run the generator to boost the starting battery.  Will need to purchase a replacement.  Once again little wind directly on our nose.  We arrived in Lorain at 1pm and completed anchored by 1:15pm.  We were well greeted by blue herons.  Took the dinghy to the harbour office and visited the town.  Headed back to the boat at about 4pm.  Squall warnings so raised the dinghy and prepared for high winds.    Winds changed to south and then back to the west.  Lots of rain but no high winds.
 

Aug 21 - Lorain, Ohio to Fairport, Ohio

Crew up before 6am and off the hook by 6:15am.  West winds at 14 knots so surfing with the Genoa until the winds died at 7:50am so decided to fly the Gennaker.  Launched well on Furler but had issues with the furler when dousting and had to take it down by hand.  The next time we will try manual launching instead of using the furler.  Brian is planning on getting a sock for the Gennaker to make it easier.  We have problems with the refrigerator (freezer) and need to investigate.  We were anchored in Fairport by 2:45pm.

Aug 22 - Fairport, Ohio to Ashtabula, Ohio

Crew up at 8am after a rocky night.  Winds on the nose so motored a while.  Still having issues with the freezer.  Arrived in Ashtabula at 12:30pm and headed to the fuel dock.  Took on 30 US gallons!  We also purchased a new starting battery since the store had them available at a very good price.   We crossed the bridge at 1:30pm and tied up to the guest dock at the Ashtabula Yacht Club.  Started slowly charge the freezer with better results.

Note - Nathalie took a Gravol in the morning and was drowsy most of the day.

Aug 23 - Ashtabula, Ohio to Erie, Pennsylvania 

Once again wind out of the northeast!  Left the dock and caught the 7:30am bridge opening.  After motoring for an hour we raised the main.  This smoothed out the ride and picked the boat speed up by a knot.  Arrived in Erie at 2:30pm.  As we entered the harbour the tall ships were setting sail.  Cruised by them to take photos and videos.  By 3:00pm we were anchored.  Brian and Terry took a dinghy ride while I cooked all the thawed meat (still having issues with freezer).  Later that night, Brian and I  took a dinghy ride to see the Perry Monument.  The area was very weedy and fouled the dinghy propellor.  The night was rocky at anchor as the wind shifted direction several times.

Appledore either the IV or V 

Bluenose II

Niagara and Nao Santa Maria

Erie had the larges rubber ducky in the world for this event at 6 stories high and 15 tons!

Aug 24 - Erie, Pennsylvania to Dunkirk, New York

Wind out of the southeast.  Raised anchor at 6:40am.  Motored out of the harbour and raised the mainsail to motor/sail and managed to stay positive.

While Brian stayed behind to clean the dishes, clean the BBQ and the freezer, Terry and I went on a Timmies-run.

We have seen beautiful lighthouses!

Lorain

Ashtabula

Dunkirk