On to the Great Lakes

On to the Great Lakes

As we pulled away from our dock in Tonawanda on the Erie Canal at 6:35 AM we said good bye to the canal and HELLO to the great lakes just one short lock up river.  The posted Black Rock lock schedule suggested we had to be there on the half hour to pass south.  As we approached shortly after 8 AM we expected to wait a half hour and use the time to hoist the radar mast.  (We had left early since the impact of the current on the Niagara River was unclear – from our observation at the falls there would be a strong current to work against.) The lock tender however, ushered us in and on our way as well as informing the two bridges that we were coming so they also opened magically as we approached.  We were ahead of schedule and still had our mast down.  We pulled up to a wall next to a park on man-made land separating the canal from the main river on the shores of Buffalo. Without many strong words or even excess stress, the mast was hoisted back into place – it did go better after the bungees were unhooked.  It also was nice that the day included zero wind and rain. In fact, we enjoyed one of those perfect cruising days on a flat lake under optimal temps and weather conditions.  I hope it is an omen for our months on the lakes. It seems only right after the storms we have endured in New York. Our first destination on Lake Erie is Dunkirk, NY – our first man-made harbor as well. Just hopethey got the WIFI hooked up so I can post this J and a good TV signal so Steve can watch the game seven!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We safely arrived ahead of schedule to find a nice spot on the end of a long dock right next to the public pier where Dunkirk was celebrating Thursday Night Free Concerts - another crazy evening with an Aerosmith appreciation band from Toronto - Steve was glad they packed it in before the game fired up - he enjoyed every second on his new TV which with the mast back in place is getting great reception!