Sunday, September 06, 2009

Day 6 and 7 - on the boat

Sunday morning - 9-6-09 - Aboard Freedom. Not too bad a start yesterday. The guy who got us started on the boat was just the "boat guy" (Jerry). He took us through the first lock out of Seneca Falls, and then watched while the guys took us through the second one. Then Jerry abandoned us! Oh, dear.....

We did three locks after that - one on the Seneca Canal, and two (25 & 26) westbound on the Erie Canal. We stopped later than we had hoped at Lyons, just below Lock 27. Unfortunately, we were too late to get a tie-up place where there we could reach a power source. So no overnight power.

The VFW in Seneca Falls had been having a BBQ chicken dinner sale at noon on Saturday, and we loved that idea. We ate those for our dinner. And we had some lights (off battery), but no hot water. We weren't too dirty, so that's okay. And we had enough light to play bridge.

We walked into town this morning looking for a local cafe for breakfast, but nothing to be found on a Sunday morning. We wound up (would you believe?) at McDonald's. I tried to get internet access back at the boat - just across the canal from McD, but it doesn't reach. I could pick up two signals, but both protected.

We're not going to try to go nearly as far today, and we'll get to a power source to tie up. And maybe find some WiFi.

We have found a sort-of distressing lack of information. Jerry didn't show us how to work the range, so we had to call him to get that info (cell phones work!). The information about the towns don't seem to be too accurate - as to where there are power sources or eateries. Plus there's a discrepancy about what we've paid for the boat and what they advertise in the brochure - by enough to definitely want a refund and explanation. We'll have to talk to the business people when we get back.

It was right chilly last night, and we broke out the jackets and sweat shirts. Surprise! John couldn't get into any of his long-sleeved shirts or sweatshirts, or his nice South Carolina jacket. He did bring his rain suit, and that jacket has adjustable cuffs, so it worked.

Sarah, you'll have to get Grandpa a new CofC sweatshirt (size L). I had to cut the cuff off and open up the seam a bit of the right sleeve, so he could get some wear out of it.

Sunday evening - docked at the Macedon Landing west of Lock 30. A lovely day cruising, with a stop for a good lunch in Newark, NY. We had to have help docking here at Macedon landing because our bow thruster wasn't working. Al found out later that a belt had slipped - and it's working now. The others are happily sipping adult beverages, I have a workable, but slow, WiFi connection, and we'll find something for supper.

Life is good!

1 comment:

Sian said...

I'm looking forward to seeing some photos! I went on a canal boat trip in the UK many years ago and had a great time! Hope you do too!