Sailing with Bob & Vickie

We finish the lift bridges, the locks and end the NY Erie Canal at Buffalo, NY. Sails are up and we are excitedly looking forward to THE GREAT LAKES!

Recap:

8/1/18 Leave Medina, NY at 7:45 AM, pass Gasport, finish the lift bridges, and handle 2 locks at Lockport (34 & 35). These locks are bit more difficult but we can handle it: each lock is about a 25 ft rise and the locks' lines are attached at both ends of the lock wall so you must change your grip as you proceed upward and there is a lot of current at the bottom. As we are moving up in the lock chamber, we meet some IU fans watching from the landing above - this really is a small world. At 1:12 PM we tie up to the wall at N. Tonawanda, NY and head to Dockside for a fabulous lunch. Bob changes the engine oil and filter.

8/2/18 Leaving Tonawanda at 7:45 AM going west (fond memories of the last time we left Tonawanda in 2015 at the beginning of this adventure)- our captain failed to make sure all the passengers were on board - lol! We are now heading to Buffalo, NY and I'm on the boat!! We stop to fuel up & replenish our diesel backup jugs. At 10:00 AM, we enter our last lock (Federal Lock at Buffalo) - the end of our 2015 adventure of traveling the NY Erie Canal and bringing her back to Lake Michigan. Shortly after our last lock our wind instrument standing above the mast taps the underside of a railroad bridge & part of it falls into the water - just 2 little inches and we would have missed it. Oh well, everything else cleared and at 10:56 AM we are at First Buffalo River Marina, Buffalo, NY waiting to step the mast on Serendipity. Mast is stepped - yea! After stepping the mast we move to our slip which is directly across from a General Mills factory and it is really noisy but it did finally stop later that evening.

8/3/18 - We decide to move the boat across the water to downtown Buffalo, NY. Lots to see and do - love the water traffic (esp the water bikes). Party boaters tied 3 boats abreast playing our kind of music. Bob gets the wind instrument replaced (young lady who works for the marine store is hoisted to the top of the mast (64 ft) with lots of people watching her in amazement). Well we are back in good shape so it is time to venture into the Buffalo Harbor. Dinner at Liberty Hound -Phil the bartender is awesome - with birthday shots for the couple who are sitting next to us at the bar (it is his birthday and we really enjoy visiting with them). When we mention we are on a sailboat - they ask "Serendipity??" - She is a beauty and does get noticed even in large marinas. Proud to be aboard!!