Well, the boat needs its oil changed. Kelley has made an appointment. When he did, he asked them to also order an extra set of filters for our boat. He tried to find them in Burlington and couldn’t. No problem, they said.
Well, when we arrived, they didn’t have ANY filters and therefore couldn’t start the job. Tomorrow.
We met a gentleman named Dave and he sent us off to a great local Italian restaurant. Tuesday we met him at a Mexican restaurant where they had excellent margaritas.
The oil was changed on Tuesday and the filters came. We have 2 engines. They ordered one set. No problem – tomorrow morning.
Surprise for us: the filters were there Wednesday morning.
Archive for the Category » New York «
February 04th, 2009 | Author: Heidi
February 04th, 2009 | Author: Heidi
We are anchored in Sloop Cove. There are many boats here; it is the holiday weekend after all. We have gone for dinghy rides around the island looking at other coves; we have gone for some great walks. Valcour Island is in New York. Great lazy weekend.
July 13th, 2008 | Author: Heidi
No sleep for either of us last night. We have so loved Deep Bay. Few boats. Easy walk on beautiful trails. Great protection from the wind – save from one direction. When wind blows from this dreaded direction, it rivals Santa Ana’s in California. Previously in the trip we were warned about the nasty NORTH wind. But here on Lake Champlain, it is the sinister SOUTH. And blow she did.
It was gentle when we went to bed. Perhaps 8 mph. But she then picked up her fury. 8 not enough? Take 10 – 12 – okay 20; are you sleeping? Then she threw in gusts up to 30 mph. The sound of wind blowing is unnerving. But SOUTH does not like to be alone. She brought her friends SWELLS and CHOPS. They danced all night. We poor little boats in the bay were at her mercy. We jumped when she said to and we swung when we had to.
We have learned that being tied to a dock or mooring ball can cause us, the inhabitants, (generally known as sailors) to feel secure. In a storm there is no difference. But then dawn comes. There are places to go to. We know SOUTH is a bully when we are tied. If we stand up to her, will she back down? Will she break enough so that we can drop the line and leave our safety behind?
No, but we power out. We can call the shots now. The ride seems calmer; 4 foot waves coming towards us, but we can go through them. And then, around a corner, better. Between an island and the mainland, better still.
And thus began our trip out of Lake Champlain and into Canada! At the Customs Dock, the agent watches us; the wind wants us away from the dock; the agent wants us there; again we are tested. Neither gives help. But we have become strong in the face of adversity. We tie up; Kelley jumps off and almost back on.
We are now tied to a dock off the main channel of the Richeleu River at Marina Gossell. Do not, I repeat, do not got to the Marina Lighthouse, the people are rude and not helpful. They did refund our money for the night when we explained that we would not fit where they had wanted to put us. SOUTH was howling; the spot was narrow; there was no protection. But, here we are, hot cup of tea, a piece of chocolate, rain is falling, but SOUTH, where is she? She is whimpering a bit. Bullies are like that. You just have to show them who is boss!
June 21st, 2008 | Author: admin
We left early this Saturday morning in hopes of beating the weather. It almost worked. Just a little rain and then a lot when it came time to tie up. I always feel like a pioneer woman when I need to “brave” the storm, i.e., get wet in the rain when it is 75 degrees or more.
We are tied up at the free dock in Whitehall. It is just before the last lock. There is electricity and water. We waited for the rain to subside and then went for a great walk through the town. It is a dying place. It makes me sad to see so many buildings that in their day were beautiful and are now falling apart or are empty. Huge homes are now apartments. I must say that some of the homes have beautiful small gardens. The peonies here are beautiful. Going through one of the locks I wanted to jump off the boat (not allowed) and take a couple. The lock master agreed that they were beautiful, but he said that their season was already over.
The gentlemen on Last Fling, Don and Bruce, joined us for cocktails. They have been friends since high school. We first met them in Troy and we have gone up the river with them the last few days. They are so funny. I like meeting people who are having a good time. I like people who make me laugh.
Tomorrow bad weather is predicted – 70% chance of T-storms. We will probably hang another day here. We have overstayed our permit, so when we exit we will need to buy another 2 day pass. Let’s see, a 2 day pass is $20; we will have spent $40 total. We will have gone through 11 locks, spent 3 nights on two different city walls, both with electricity and water. What a deal! It is a good thing that there is a 48 hour limit here. I can see people staying longer.
