Wednesday - August 29

Whew....HOT today (98) and winds at 21 mph.    Soo sultry while exercising but got that out of the way and weights transferred to Flo.     Mark went to Dunkin' Donuts for coffees/apple fritters.    Finished getting last of our stuff off Catrina and the packing for our trip.

 

We left around 10ish and hung out at Starbucks in Target for a while and Mark then went to Home Depot to get the damp-rid stuff we put on Catrina and Flo while in storage to keep the moisture out and prevent mildew.

 

With school having started over most of the country, the New York kiddos are still off till after Labor Day, so lots of little ones out and about.

 

We are in Syracuse tonight for early departure in the morning to St. Louis.     A rain storm came through around 4:15 and cooled things down!    We had appetizers and drinks at Ruby Tuesday (yummy white sangria that ranks right up there with Cheesecake Factory).    Temp dropped to 76.

 

We'll be visiting family and friends this weekend along with all the wedding festivities, so may not be blogging for several days.

 

 

Tuesday - August 28

It was hot and humid today here in New York and more of the same coming tomorrow!   We moved Catrina from Ess Kay to Winter Harbor and tomorrow, she will be ready to be lifted out.    Mark took her over and I came in the truck.    Tonight will be our last night on Catrina... 

Summer home for Flo and red truck; winter home for Catrina

I got my hair cut by Jennifer at Eclipz and enjoyed a nice quiet last evening on Catrina with leftovers and  defrosted the fridge/freezer.

Mark worked on logistics for our fall trip on Flo to the Adirondacks and New England to enjoy the fall colors.     Bur first, we are off to St. Louis for our niece's wedding this weekend.

Monday - August 27

Whew...steamy this morning with 96% humidity when we exercised!    Got that task and breakfast over and on with the day.

Winter Harbor where Flo has been this summer and where Catrina will spend the fall/winter, is a bustling place moving boats around for storage as they come out of the water.    We got Flo out of the building this morning and now parked alongside the building - easier access for us to work there and out in the daylight

After lunch Mark went back to Flo and worked.    I went later in the afternoon.

We went to Frank's Plank Road Cafe in Cicero for dinner recommended by Ethan here at the marina.
It was very good - I had a lobster roll and Mark had crab-stuffed shrimp.

Michael and Philip are both in Seattle today - Philip flew in last night and Michael flew in this morning -  met for coffee.    They are only about 2 miles from each other at Lake James, but 2500 miles across the country.....able to meet for 1 hour!!!

Ryan is into his last week in DC with the Navy.

Maeve loves to wear hats to bed!
So proud of her - she is totally potty trained!!!

and so, when out and about, potty comes, too!

cause ya never know when you might need it!

Hiking this weekend - Maeve, Luke, Blair and friends...

We saw several stands in the country when we drove to and from Ithaca full of pumpkins and a colorful selection of mums.....love fall!!!    But still really feels like summer! - 92 coming tomorrow!

Sunday - August 26

Cloudy most of the day with a small rain shower around 3, then sunny and warm.

We went to 8:30 Mass at Divine Mercy Church in Central Square - young priest and great homily.    Then off to Good Golly's for breakfast (new place, good food and a definite return sometime).   

Mark had a "Fretta" but nothing to "fret" about - lots of good stuff and plenty of leftovers.

I had a cinnamon swirl pancake - delish!

After breakfast we did laundry (smallest laundromat we've seen, but got the job done) and on back to Catrina.    Winter Harbor where Flo is stored is closed on Sunday, so just settled in with our books and had a nice quiet afternoon.    Tomorrow should pretty well wrap up all this transfer of stuff.

We had a delicious dinner at Barado's - favorite spot for dinner here in Brewerton!

Scallops (8) for me that were scrumptious and Mark had a very good steak

A sweet pic of Luke and Mommy on his first day of kindergarten

Saturday - August 25

A beautiful sunny upper 70-degree day here in Brewerton.    We exercised and made several trips from Catrina to Flo (2 miles across the other side of the Oneida River) taking loads of stuff and transferring from one home to the next.

We and Catrina are at Ess-Kay Yards and Flo is stored inside at Winter Harbor Marina

 (Catrina's winter home).

Cleaned our outside (bridge) cushions and put away for the season and did another Wal Mart run.

We had a fun evening with fellow boaters on the dock here at Ess Kay....
Lee and Karen had an impromptu cookout and we all joined in bringing goodies (desserts from Wegman's for us).    So much fun starting with docktails and snacks and then burgers/hot dogs and lots of good fixin's.
Lee and Karen from Texas' Jane and George from Phoenix; Toby and Sherry from Sarasota' Ethan from Ess Kay and a young couple (didn't get their names) with Carter, 6 and Reagan 9 months who were starting their vacation and had boat issues so stopped by Ess Kay this evening to hopefully get their problem fixed tomorrow and able to join in with our group for supper.

Ryan arrived back in DC this morning!!!

Friday - August 24

50 years ago today, Mark and I became engaged......8/24/68 and so, on this milestone day, we fulfilled a bucket list (mine) item and went on a hot air balloon ride over Ithaca, NY.

      It was very dark, with winds at 4 mph when we left the hotel at 5:25 AM.   What a thrill starting at 6:00 when we met our crew Dar (owner and pilot) and his assistant, Brandon. Got our briefing instructions, helped hold the balloon as 2 fans blew into it to inflate and hot air (propane burners) makes it lift.    Dar, Mark and I climbed into the basket and we were off for a fabulous 1 hour, 15 minute ride.   Beautiful sunrise, clear skies, and so calm and peaceful as we floated over farm country, downtown Ithaca, Cornell University, Ithaca College, and beautiful Cayuga Lake.

Almost time to step in the basket

Sun peeking over the hills

A bunch of buses 

Cemetery

Robert Treman State Park - marina is where Catrina was docked on Father's Day

June 17th

Neat reflection of us over the water

Picturesque farm

Lake Cayuga

Yeah....let's hear it for the red, white and blue!
 

We landed in a large open field 3+ miles from where we started and Brandon was there to meet us with truck and trailer.     After gathering the balloon into a large bag (huge and heavy), the guys hoisted it in trailer along with the bucket and took us back to our truck in Tutelo Park where we enjoyed a glass of champagne and said a prayer of thanks!

 Tying up the huge balloon (weighs 400-500 lbs.)

 Ready to load up the basket

Dar has been doing this for 14 years and Brandon is a junior at Cornell in animal science and on the wrestling team.   Brandon grew up on a farm in Alabama and his Dad raises Angus cattle.   He and Mark had a good discussion on corn vs. grass fed beef!!!

 Dar and Brandon 

 Celebratory champagne toast

So thankful to fulfill this "dream" with a great crew.   Dar did a wonderful job of explaining everything putting us newbies at ease

After our champagne and good byes, we had breakfast at the Ithaca Bakery (yummy) and then took the back roads to Brewerton (72 miles).    We stopped at Winter Harbor and Flo to put more stuff away and then I worked on Catrina and Mark stayed with Flo. 

We went to Wal Mart this afternoon and then enjoyed a nice evening relaxing on Catrina (she is in major disarray, but there's always tomorrow) !

The news from Hawaii sure isn't good with Lane......I can't imagine 31" of rain on the Big Island?    There are supposedly over 300,000 tourists in that state now, including Ryan.  Praying for the tourists and residents and their safety.  The latest is that Ryan and colleagues are flying home tonight as commercial flights are still ongoing.

 

Thursday - August 23

Beautiful clear sunny day - a nippy 53 when we got up!

 

We worked away getting things off Catrina and transferring to Flo.....Mark had some maintenance jobs on Catrina so we kept busy....

 

Lunch at the Brewerton Diner - tried their  homemade chips today for 1st time and oh my...……….they make their own and delicious (reminded us of the Sand Dollars at the

"Yardarm" in Racine, Wisconsin).

We are on a little side trip and staying in Ithaca tonight.    Had a great dinner at The Heights topped off with chocolate lava cake.    It had to be ordered when you chose your entrée like at the Chart House.    This was very good served with espresso chocolate ice cream....Mark still prefers the Chart House for his favorite dessert.

Sure thinking of Ryan tonight as Hawaii prepares for Hurricane Lane.   He's in Honolulu...



 

 

 

Wednesday - August 22

Big day for Luke!

Wishing Luke a happy year of kindergarten fun!

Had some rain overnight but after exercising, crazy weather with sun, rain, sun, rain.....chatted with our neighbors, Bev and Jim who are on the Loop (sailors) and leaving today to do the western Erie Canal, Niagara Falls, etc.

Mark picked them up at the airport after they turned in their rental car and brought them back to their boat...Stealaway    He ran errands and got a haircut.

Bev and Jim 

They have a home near Lake James!    Small world - hope to visit them in October.

I worked on Catrina and Mark went to Flo and got some things stored there that belong in the truck.

We had dinner at the Wild Horse Bar and Grill across from Catrina on the Oneida River.    First time there and it was good, but more of a bar than restaurant.

Enjoyed the view at dinner tonight!!!

Started raining as we returned to Catrina - what a wishy washy day!!!

Tuesday - August 21

Cloudy day and rain is on the way.....we left Phoenix at 8:20 after

 one more breakfast sandwich from the Brats for Mark.

 

Our last cruise for the summer back to Brewerton was just 12 miles.    We filled Catrina with diesel and are settled at Ess-Kay Yards for a week.    We will leisurely take our time moving our stuff from Catrina to Flo.    Mark rode his bike to pick up the truck.   It was lunch time and an easy decision for us as to where we wanted to eat...……..the Brewerton Diner and of course, it was great as always.

Rained later this afternoon.

We were so very sorry to hear the tragic outcome for Mollie Tibbitts.
My heart is breaking for her family
 

 

Our colorful NC cuties

 

Monday - August 20

A breezy sunny day (80).     We left our anchorage at Little Sodus Bay around 8:30 after we exercised, had breakfast and got all the grass off our anchor.    Wow.....it was loaded and Mark used the boat hook numerous times and finally, we were free!

 

Crossed the lake to Oswego (12 miles) and then came on down the Oswego Canal (7 locks) and arrived back in Phoenix at 1:45.    We weren't sure of our plans and how far we would go, but decided to get the locks out of the way as tomorrow and Wednesday, rain is in the forecast.   We are   having a problem with the generator and Mark is "thinking" it's grass plugging the opening    We have sure been thru a lot of grass past few days.

Pretty day for cruising on the Oswego Canal

 

So we are back to the Bridge House Brats,  dinner and salad-sized hibiscus, good coffee, ice cream, music in the park, and Kathy and Mike saying "WELCOME BACK".   Once we were settled, we had to make a decision....ice cream or iced coffee.    Scooper Doupers won out and we walked there and enjoyed a yummy treat.    Back to Catrina and I did some hosing down - so much dirt, grass, stains, etc., from anchoring and all the locks.   Another boat came in after we had our ice cream.....Peter and Paula from Falls Church, VA and we had a nice visit.

Peter, Tasha, Paula

 Pretty marigolds in Phoenix
 

We chatted with Ryan as he was getting ready to board his plane for Minneapolis and onto  Fairbanks.   He'll be gone a week (Alaska and Hawaii) and this is his last official trip with the Navy,

 

Mark worked on the generator changing the impeller which was the problem having disintegrated when grass plugged the water intake.    When there's no water, it immediately gets hot, the impeller disintegrates and engine shuts down.    Had this problem before and fortunately, carry an extra impeller.     LESSON learned......stay away from grassy areas when anchoring out and wanting to run the generator.    Those two do NOT mix!

We were in Phoenix one week ago tonight and enjoyed the cookout and oldies band.    So here we are one week later and Tammy from the State Street Café (where we get our coffee/latte) and her sister and Mom are doing the food.    We had excellent pork BBQ with cole slaw.    Also had the usual burgers, hot dogs, pies, etc.....last week, St. Stephen's Church did the food.

Tonight's music came from "The Terry and Joe Acoustic Show" - Terry sang and Joe on guitar.  
This is the 7th concert this summer we've seen at various parks!    Love small town USA.
Terry did a beautiful rendition of the National Anthem.
 Nice crowd on this pretty evening.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Saturday-Sunday, August 18-19

Good to be back online as we had no internet last night at anchorage.  

 

Saturday - we had a fairly rough night in our slip as the winds picked up from our of the north and we and other boats were rockin' and rollin'.    Decided to get the heck outta there and so around 9, we headed to Picton Island South anchorage (2 miles away) and of course, nice 'n calm!     Only one other boat (sailboat) with us but Mark had read that this is a busy place.    Well, it didn't take long and they started coming and coming.....Mark stopped counting at 105.    Some families, mostly young folks and a few of we seniors were out having a great time on this pretty day (low 70's).    Several were rafted up and brought back memories of our boating days on Clinton Lake.

Just a "few" of many boats at Picton Island

 

I did some cleaning out and organizing of cupboards, drawers, and closets.    Otherwise, a relaxing day of reading.    With no internet, we just enjoyed nature and people/boat watching.    They started clearing out late afternoon and by 7:00, very few left with only 10 remaining overnight,

Our first night to anchor this season - always enjoy us and nature, but today we had a few extra visitors!

 

Mark grilled out Italian sausage and hot dogs - we'll have some quick meals the next few days and getting our freezer/fridge cleaned out.   

 

Sunday - the sun is shining, it's a gorgeous day and we had a great night's sleep.    Took Catrina to the town dock (can tie up here free for 4 hours.)    We walked to the Lyric Coffee House for muffins and coffee and then to 10:00 Mass at St. Mary's.  

 

Beautiful church

Some really nice murals around town

 

  Back to Catrina, changed clothes and off we went.    The docks were deserted when we arrived around 8:30, but by 11, they were busy, busy.   We sure enjoyed our stay in Clayton!

 

 And so, we cruised 78 miles today and it could not have been a better day with 74 degrees, calm waters and a very smooth crossing across Lake Ontario.     We arrived at the Sodus Point Bay anchorage with the town of Fair Haven surrounding it, at 3:40.   

 

Clear blue/greenish water

 

We and "Summer" from Key West are the only boats floating here tonight!

 

Friday - August 17

Rainy Friday morning....exercised indoors and then had a late breakfast (30-minute wait) at The Koffee Kove which we heard was "thee" place for breakfast.    The wait was well worth it - one of the best omelets ever (ranks up there with The Red Onion in Racine, WI which unfortunately is no longer in business).

After the rain, sun came partly out and sticky and humid.

 

Mark went on back to Catrina to do some jobs (change AC filter, clean out some cabinets, etc.)    I did some shopping - very nice clothing and gift shops here + a great Christmas shop.   I did a little to boost their economy, although this little town seems to be thriving!

We walked downtown mid afternoon and went into Ace Hardware....now this was an experience.    I guess for all the folks who vacation up here or own summer cottages, they need a place to furnish their home, so....."Ace is the Place" full of everything imaginable including all the furniture (bedroom, living, family, etc., etc. all the household items you could possibly need, plus fabric by the yard and just an unbelievable store!    We bought a new mop for Catrina for swabbin' the decks - old one had seen better days.

Mark and mop came back to Catrina and I went to Lyric Coffee Shop for an Iced Lavender Latte and read a while.     These lavender drinks are really good and refreshing - apparently a new thing?

 The weather was really threatening this evening....we walked to the Seaway Grille which is in the Harbor Hotel next to the marina - beautiful hotel only 3 years old and one very similar in Watkins Glen where we had a memorable dinner.    This NY eating has been above and beyond this summer.    Tonight was no exception!!!    While we were eating the heavens opened up.    Luckily we were able to make it back to Catrina in between downpours.

 

 Several boats came in for the weekend, so marina is a happening place this Friday evening!

 

Michael and Brooke flew home this morning leaving Drew to begin his college career!

Classes start Monday

Meanwhile, last night...

Freshmen and new friends (+Brooke) at the University of Iowa
Drew's roommate, Hayden from Colorado is wearing the cap

Having pizza at The Airliner, a favorite of Michael's when he was a Hawkeye

1989-1993.

Thursday - August 16

Hello from the Thousand Islands on the St. Lawrence River.    We arrived in Clayton 4 hours after leaving Oswego.     Lake Ontario was a little choppy but improved as we went along.    The biggest surprise is that we were chilly....along with jackets and hooded sweatshirt, I was bundled in a blanket.    We went 63 miles and seemed strange to be out on a big body of water with all the wave action after the calmness and serenity of the canals

 

The books describe Clayton as "charming" and we totally agree.    Lots of restaurants (several along the water), cute shops, ice cream, coffee, etc.  and all close to our marina (Clayton Municipal).    It is a very nice marina but only a few boats here.    Lots of boats on the water along with the huge freighters that come thru here from the Atlantic via the St. Lawrence Seaway.

 

2 huge freighters

 

We rode our bikes downtown and had a wonderful lunch at Bella's - sat outdoors with this eclectic furniture, old-timey table cloths, shawls, blankets and afghans on backs of the chairs to keep warm with a pretty view of the water.   Mark left on his bike to tour the Wooden Boat Museum - largest collection of wooden and classic boats in North America.    I set out on foot and checked out some shops (left more for tomorrow), walked around some neighborhoods and wandered around the farmer's market.    As chilly as it was on the water, the temps warmed up nicely in the afternoon to 75.

 

We've never been to Clayton but cruised thru some of the Thousand Islands (where the salad dressing originated) in 2011.   It is beautiful and a popular vacation spot in the summertime.

 

Around 5 I walked back downtown (Mark rode his bike) and we picked up my bike which was left from lunchtime.    We went for a little ride (enjoying our new tires) and then thoroughly enjoyed the concert in Frink Park.    The 4-piece (3 guys, 1 lady) band "Amarillo" sang mostly country but other oldies including Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline, etc.....Very entertaining.

 

Amarillo

 

We met these nice folks tonight...

90-year old Jerry who was a wealth of information about Clayton and the Thousand Islands.

There are really 1,864 islands and unfortunately, so many people in the USA have no idea this spectacular area even exists!!!

Sheila and Carl from near Gasport, one of the little towns on the Erie Canal.

They spend the summer here in Clayton.

 

Taken over the weekend

The cousins taking a little spin in Blair's fancy wheels 

Our big kindergarten girl 

And then there's sweet silly Maeve who loves to choose her clothes and accessories

Nothing like a warm, wooly hat on a scorching hot NC day!

 

Sun setting on the St. Lawrence River in Clayton

 

 

 

Wednesday - August 15

Exercised, had breakfast sandwiches (thanks to the brats), walked to the State Street Café for a final latte in Phoenix and then said good-bye to these really nice folks!

 

There are 42 brats and as kids graduate, leave for college, etc., a new batch of 20 or so come in each spring.

 Great bunch of brats

Mary Ann (town artist) has done some beautiful murals around Phoenix

Kathy, organizer of the brats 

Sign at the marina 

 

Over the years, the brats painted these rocks and now on display in a garden-type setting 

Mike, one of the locals - great to visit with and learn more about the brats, the town, etc.

 

Not only do the brats serve the boaters, they cater to the town folk who wander down to the dock for their morning coffee, sit and catch up, read the paper, including Father Phil who was there this morning with a bunch of  friends!     The brats also clean the downtown streets, water the flowers  but still have plenty of time to play and have fun with one another!

 

BIG day for our grandchildren.....

 

Blair started kindergarten and then Brooke flew to Iowa to join Michael and Drew and help settle our oldest into his college dorm!     Bring on the kleenex!!!!

We remember Michael and Anne starting their sophomore year of college when Ryan started kindergarten!

 

Sweet Pea is such a big girl! 

The "B's" - Blair in Kindergarten and Brady, 7th grade 

 

and then 2 more Jr. High kiddos

Connor, 7th and Liam, 8th 

Our great niece, Leia starting kindergarten today near Chicago

Another sign of fall

 

We arrived in Oswego around 1:30 after going thru 7 locks with 4 other boats, including a PDQ from Ontario.   We are tied up outside Alex's Waterfront Restaurant just off Lake Ontario.    Had lunch at The Press Box nearby - very good (burger for Mark and pulled BBQ chicken pizza for me).

Tah dah....finally have our back bimini on again.    Took it down in early June cause of our radar arch and all the bridges to go thru.

 

Tomorrow...heading to the beautiful Thousand Islands