Brockport to Fairport - there's a lot of "ports" in these here parts... Tried to leave Brockport this morning but we couldn't hail the bridge tender on channel 13 and neither telephone number to the lift bridges picked up. We circled and circled while I tried to call each lift bridge but the phones just rang and rang. Tried to call the supervisor's number and that one just rang and rang... holiday weekend, trapped like rats in a bathtub ummm, errr between two lift bridges in downtown Brockport. Does this mean I get to have another sandwich at the Stone Yard???? I finally called the lift bridge operator in Holley and he answered. I told him our dilemma and he said he'd radio the lift bridge operator when I told him they didn't respond to channel 13 or to either phone number. 5 minutes later he showed up to let us exit, and we were followed out by Sugah - a large motorcraft that helped us out the rest of the day (helping us grab lines in the lock, then again coming in to Fairport they grabbed our lines and helped us tie up).

So locks 33 and 32 down and 30 more to go (for some reason there is no lock 31). Both locks dropped us another 25 ft each so we're now down lower than 100 ft' since the Great Lakes!

Leaving Brockport about 14 miles east we came upon what they call a "rock cut" - a deep cut made through solid rock - which appeared to be beds of shale (under the sandstone formations we passed earlier). It was interesting to note how the beds were gently dipping eastward the farther we went till they appeared to disappear into the water. Still amazing to think about how they excavated out all these layers of rock without the use of modern earth moving machinery 80 years ago.

Between Locks 34 and 33 is the Genesee River which has a current cutting across the Canal Channel. It flows through Rochester NY and we noticed more boat activity in this area. One side note - The Genesee River level is what sets the level for the lock levels in this area (between 34 & 33).

We passed through the Village of Pittsford - cute looking place - that was settled in 1759. Quite a bit of history there I'd imagine.

Coming into Fairport we no sooner got tied up, and people were asking us questions about our boat. One couple of guys from Canada thought we were from Mississippi (Jackson, MI) but we were no sooner tied up and I went below to open the ports, while Wayne was hooking up the power, when one little guy around 9 years old came up to Wayne and said "I wish my dad would buy a sailboat!" "This is a really nice boat" and Wayne said "Well start saving your money, and when you get older, you can buy your own sailboat!" I heard a "Yah!" from the picnic bench and laughed - good response Wayne you won his mom over! The next thing I know, the little guy is asking if he can see the inside of the boat. He wanted to see what a reeeaal boat looks like! Do we live on it? Is it like a house? Does it have a bathroom? Yes, yes, yes, even a bathtub. Can I see? Sure, but you better ask your mom first. Mom, mom, mom! Can I look inside? He said I can, can I? I cracked up below... Mom said yes. He asked how to get on and Wayne told him to climb over the lines and called to me below - we've got company - someone wants a tour of the boat. I came up and showed him how to turn around and come down the stairs and showed him around. He oohed and ahhed the bedrooms, tub, stove, dining area, etc., etc., etc., then his sister came aboard and he pointed out all the places and the bed, just look at the bed!!! She looked thunderstruck. He said - it's not like yur in the water at all. It's like a little house, a trailer home! I really like being on a real boat! He was so excited and enthralled to look around I wished I could have taken him for a real sail. When he got off the boat with his sister again, he had to tell his mom all about it. She said to him to thank us which he did several times. She thanked us also and we told him and her that we hope he gets his own someday. He and she both said they hoped so too. He made my day & I'm pretty sure we made his.

We wandered the docks looking for the dock master and he was terrific. Very friendly and yelled at people when they came through kicking up a wake (Doc Master Tom). He'd been out sailing in the morning on Lake Ontario and was here for the evening. He gave us the wireless code, and shower access code and pointed out some features about the town. It really is a lovely little town and quite active. People have so many questions for us and about us - it amazes me - truly - I can't remember ever fielding so many questions about us, and our boat (I feel a little embarrassed actually). Okay time to russell up a little dinner Me thinkest! BBQ Chicken, tossed salad, bread & wine time...