The lock operators looked at us quizzically when we announced we were going to the east coast via Baldwinsville lock 24. "That's west of the route" they'd say. But we knew the 19 mile diversion would be worth it. Bill's niece, Betsy, lives in Baldwinsville and had graciously invited us to stop and visit. Betsy is Bill's eldest sister's, Mary, eldest daughter. Since the two of them are only seven years apart in age, they grew up more as brother and sister than as uncle and niece. So a family reunion was the order of the day.

We spent nearly a week with Betsy at her home ten minutes from the lock. Whisper stayed safely on the lock wall near a nice park (and an equally nice grave yard). Except for the yucky green algae in the water, which turned it to pea soup, it was a perfect spot.

The time included necessary visits to barber, hair stylist and nail technician, grocery and discount stores. All the stuff that is hard to do when you are on the move and car-less. Betsy and her partner, Joe, entertained us with great meals and a night out to dinner followed by a jazz concert on the lawn of an old mansion overlooking one of the Finger Lakes. One night was even more 'relative' as we were joined by Betsy's son, Paul, and his newly-wed wife, Meg, visiting from Columbus, Ohio.

On Monday, Bill and I borrowed Betsy's car to drive to Oswego, 45 minutes north, to help Russ and Lisa get Uproar ready to unstep her mast in preparation for the canals. A pile of discarded lumber from west bound boaters turned into a fine mast cradle. The next day Uproar unstepped, traveled the Oswego canal and joined us in Baldwinsville for a most entertaining evening at Betsy's place as Bill and I prepared a feast of our favorite Thai chicken and shrimp.

On Wednesday, we took a day off the water and did the 'red' wine trail of Seneca Lake in Betsy's car. How convenient that all four of us enjoy the same wines! We visited four vineyards and only stopped when we had a full trunk of wines to take back to the boats. An Italian dinner in Watkins Glen completed the day.

We resumed our travels on the Erie with clean bodies, full stomachs and great joy in having the luxury to spent time with Betsy and Joe. Thank you both for the wonderful week!!!