Having looked at the weather forecast last evening, we slept in this morning realizing that we would be spending a fifth day at Ess-Kay Yard in Brewerton not only due to weather, but also because after 5 days, we had still not received the 2-day priority package from Woodstock. Not that staying was a bad thing. I had visions of baking bread or at least blueberry muffins, keeping up with work obligations, and reading, not to mention completing the daily crossword puzzle.
By 10 AM the package had arrived at the PO and Kim, the owner of the marina, allowed me to use her car to collect it. Meanwhile Marty was following the weather and found that we had a window of opportunity to travel north to Oswego on Lake Ontario. OK! Off to the fuel dock and pump out!
Passed through Lock E-23 and turned north at the directional sign that led us off the Erie. Brief rain. Lock O-1. While we were told that the chamber was filling for us, the northbound vessel, we were surprised that it took so long and that the southbound boat that requested passage after us, came through first. What we were really surprised about was the dockmaster’s query as to whether we wanted the drawbridge opened for us. Clearance: 14′. Need: 15’6. Yes Please! Crazy crane lifted the highway bridge just beyond the northern lock door.
In the meantime, Lockmaster conversation. Where are you going? Oswego. You won’t make it because Locks 6, 7, and 8 close at 5 PM. Oh! And, by the way, if we have 4/10 of an inch more rain, the canal will close due to clearance issues. Oh!!!
We settled on tying to the wall between Locks 2 and 3. A fine spot. No amenities or services, but we enjoyed the breeze, the view of the falls to the north and south, and a delightful dinner of grilled shrimp wrapped in prosciutto and basil. Alas, no homemade bread.
Hopefully there will be no more rain until we get out of the Oswego Canal! Go with the flow…
Follow up: We left the Lock 2/3 wall at 7:30 AM and locked through the remaining 4 locks by 11:30 AM. The canal closed due to high water at 2:40 PM. They literally closed the door behind us! Our luck holds one more time!
Aisling goes Looping 
I had not appreciated how vulnerable the canal is to rain! And the locks’ hours of operation. And how many there are-35?
LikeLike
Hey Sara!
We also did not realize the vulnerability of the locks. The NY state canal system pretty much closed the Oswego Canal behind us as we exited onto Lake Ontario! Another lucky day!
To date we have been through 52 locks between the Champlain, Erie and Oswego canals.
LikeLike