Friday-Sunday, June 28-30

June 28, 1969

Back on Catrina after a wonderful "second" honeymoon in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario.

Friday.....#50 for us and it's a glorious summer day (just like 50 years ago but oh-so-hot that day and no AC in church or at reception).     This morning we had breakfast at The Shirt Factory (connected to the Hart House Hotel) and then we were off.    Nice pleasant 1hr. 15 min drive, thru some of the little towns along the canal - good memories from last summer and then a pretty quick entry into Canada.

Arrived at Niagara-on-the-Lake around 10:30 and oh my........................this place is just spectacular with flowers, flowers and more flowers everywhere, plus oh-so-charming with the old-fashioned light posts, horse-driven carriages, etc.    Mark wanted to check out the marina (the original plan had been for us to come here by boat, but lady at marina a few weeks ago, said "she wished she could accommodate us, but water levels were so high and we would be walking in water to get to office, parking lots and docks were under water."    And that's exactly what Mark saw - unreal!    We've seen so many pics lately of just how sad this whole situation is up here and a lost boating season for many marina owners, etc.    We heard one estimate that it could be October till things settle down.

While he was in dismay seeing all this water, I was high and dry walking the streets and browsing the many neat shops.    Lots of people out and about as Monday, July 1st is Canada Day (like our July 4th).   They are expecting throngs of folks in for the long weekend.   

We had ice cream treats at Cows - a wonderful Canadian "must do" and then strolled along Lake Ontario, thru residential areas with cute little cafes tucked here and there and many B 'n B's.   We were able to check into the Prince of Wales a little early - this beautiful old historic hotel in the heart of town was built in 1864 and oozes with Victorian charm.

Us on Lake Ontario

Prince of Wales Hotel

Last summer I took so many pics of luscious blooms,, but had to get this charming old bicycle.

We had a wonderful dinner at Noble and then more strolling around town.   Mark had a beef tenderloin and I had lobster fettuccine.    Both excellent and topped off with this elegant dessert...

Pistachio cheesecake covering a waffle donut all topped with strawberries and chocolate stick!

Mark had a strawberry/cherry creme brulee.

  The population is 17,000+ but so fun to meander around the downtown area and all the lovely homes and of course, everywhere you go, everyone has flowers and more flowers.

Saturday - another gorgeous day.   We walked across the street to Balzac Coffee Co. for coffee/latte and shared a hobbit muffin.    Then we did a little shopping, checked out of our hotel and were on our way.    No special plans today - had thought we would go back to Two Sisters Winery (great visit and lunch last summer), but we were only 2 miles away and not hungry as we've eaten so much lately. 

Leaving hotel with these gorgeous roses from my honey!

 Mark wanted to check out Lock #3 at the Welland Canal and the Museum  at St. Catharine's.    This was about a 20-minute drive from our hotel and lots of people standing on a high viewing bridge to watch the action.    We saw 2 ginormous freighters (1000+ feet).    Been thru many locks but the Welland Canal (8 locks) takes them to a whole different level.    We continued on, stopping back in Medina for late lunch at Zambistro - more great food!!!   (I had a bacon brie burger and Mark had a salad with tenderloin tips.)     Got back to Catrina around 5:30!    What a special little getaway celebrating our 50th.    Highly recommend "Niagara-on-the-Lake for a visit you won't forget!!!

Sunday - Much cooler today - 70 with off and on sunshine and strong winds.    We went to Central Square (north of here) and had breakfast at Good Golly's (cinnamon swirl pancake!)

   YUM    Then to 10:30 Mass at Divine Mercy - wonderful 40-year old priest who gave a very uplifting sermon and a great guitar player/singer.    Had a brief shower while in church.   Stopped at Wal Mart for some piddlies and on home.    Opened the windows and let in the fresh air....

Winter Harbor is not a big marina but squeezes boats in here and there during a crises like the recent lock closures.    But a few of the places current boats hail from are Park City, Utah, Marathon, FL, Mississippi, Georgia, Ohio, Seattle and Louisville.    And this beauty is going to be launched tomorrow right in front of Catrina.    "Diva" from Fort Lauderdale is an 82' 2013 yacht.   It sold in 2017 for $3m.    This past winter it got a brand new paint job here at Winter Harbor!    What a beauty!

Got the suitcase unpacked and now preparing to pack again for trip coming later this week....at 5:30 this afternoon, we did a conference call with all the kids discussing our upcoming dude ranch trip.   Lots to discuss and ponder and everyone so excited!!!

Huge thanks for all the cards, e-cards, Facebook messages, texts, videos, etc. for our anniversary.    We so appreciate your thoughtfulness!!!

Here's to a great week!   Bye bye June!!!

Thursday - June 27

Gorgeous start to the day - sunny, calm and warming up.....we were up early to see several boats leave.  And just like that, our "new" friends were off on their loop adventures.    Some are staying over another day to let others get thru the locks and the congestion settle down.

Mark needed a Dunkin Donut Fix, I finished packing and then he took me for a haircut by Jennifer at Eclipz (nice to see her again from a year ago).    Her son is graduating from high school tonight - 300 in his class and just yesterday, the NY schools were out for the summer!!!    June 26th!!!

I had a short walk from Eclipz to Brewerton Diner and we met for another yummy lunch and then on our way for our little getaway.    Enjoyed the 2.5 hour trip to Medina which was one of our favorite towns along the canal.     We checked in at the Hart House Hotel (just 6 rooms on the 3rd floor with no elevator - Mark didn't realize this when he made the reservation).   This charming old hotel was home to the Newell Shirt Company many years ago and the room names are after dignitaries who bought shirts back in the day.   We are in the "Astor" Room....   John Jacob Astor was a wealthy industrialist and painter in New York's Lower East Side.    Some of the wall inserts are brick with a painted ladder in the corner, painted sawhorses with metal paint trays for end tables.....really charming and quaint.     Bob Hope and Winston Churchill are across the hall (rooms that is)!

After settling in, we went down to the "Shirt Factory" coffee shop which was a favorite last summer.  Wow.....in September, they redid the "look" and along with being a coffee/breakfast cafe, it is also a cocktail lounge on Thursday-Saturday evenings.    It is really neat and we each had a delicious cocktail and sat in the big room which is off the lounge.    LOVE this place!

Then we walked around downtown and saw these gorgeous blooms...

The hanging baskets on all the light poles honor a veteran from the various wars, along with the American flag. "Hometown Heroes" 

Many of these impatiens have cards tucked inside saying "In honor of..." or "In memory of..." 

We stopped at Fitzgibbons Irish Pub for a light snack and wine.    Fun place that we visited last year.    So many memories from this sweet little town - the nice guy from Napa Auto Parts who brought me cucumbers from his garden, Della's Chocolates, Ashlee's Ice Cream, Zambistro (wonderful dinner), biking around town, and met Rich who is doing the Loop in his kayak!!!!!

Tomorrow we are off to celebrate #50 in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario.    Be back with the blog on Sunday!!!

This "Dude" is all set to be a cowboy at the ranch....

coming soon!!!!

Wednesday - June 26

Sunny and warm....Mark had a bunch of  stuff to do on the computer and other logistic planning.   I got a mani-pedi by Victor and some things at Dollar Tree - love browsing around that store!

Back to Catrina, had lunch (leftover pizza from last night) and then got out the suitcase and started packing......tomorrow we are off on a little getaway with Big Red celebrating our 50th anniversary (Friday).    We are going to Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario (visited this lovely area last year and can't wait to go back)!

Around 2 this afternoon, Mark got the beep on his phone - tah dah.....the locks are opening at 7 AM tomorrow, so many happy boaters here who will be heading out in the morning and resuming their summer travels.

A light rain shower in the afternoon....and then a gorgeous evening!     Tom Pirro and the gang here at Winter Harbor threw a big Italian feast for all the folks "stranded" and what a bash!    Sooo much awesome food, wine and hanging with old and new friends.    Then topped off with delicious fluffy strawberry cream cake!    A perfect ending to these folks stay here and tomorrow most are movin' on.

The Loopers at Winter Harbor

Tuesday - June 25

Rained in the early morning, but all finished by 8:15.....and turned out to be a lovely summer day with sunshine and 85 degrees.

We exercised, had breakfast and off to do laundry.    Got 4 loads going and then drove a short distance to the "Ink Corner" Coffee shop.   Strange name but just around the corner from a screen printing business, so???    Anyway, cute place with good latte, coffee and we shared a blueberry muffin.

Got the laundry done and back home.    Lunch, put clothes away and visited with some of the boaters.

FINALLY putting away (but not too far - ha) our long-sleeved shirts, jeans, socks, gloves, jackets, sweatshirts, etc., in hopes that we have seen the end of our chilly weather.    Rain is still in the forecast off and on next several days!

We drove to Ess Kay Marina (packed with boats) and visited with Lee and Karen, Jim and Bev.    And then off for pizza at Cicero Country Pizza and lots of gabbing with Jim and Bev..   Salad, pizza and sangria were excellent.    We'll sure these folks from Marion, NC, but hopefully our paths will cross and we'll see them somewhere, sometime again!

Monday - June 24

We left at 6:48 this morning from Ilion.   Went thru 4 locks (2 going up and 2 going down).    Crossed Oneida Lake which was smooth as glass and arrived in Brewerton (like being home) at 2:27.    The Oswego Canal is still closed and so Loopers are stranded here and there.    We could not get a slip at EssKay so, staying at Winter Harbor where Flo and Big Red are stored.    We are tucked in here with boats from all over the country patiently waiting for locks to open and be on their way.

For us, we are just gonna chill - things to do these next few days and we have Big Red to take us wherever.

One of the BIG things I forget to mention (duh) is the awful current yesterday in 2 locks especially - wow....just really moved Catrina around.    And same thing coming into fuel dock here at Winter Harbor!    My "landing" was not pretty and Mark took over.   Scary, but lots of help on the dock!
Made me feel better when I saw another boat come in and have same issue.    And then tonight watched helplessly across the water as a big one came in and had a terrible time docking with the current.

We are docked in front of "Nautilus" with Rob and Jill who we met in Amsterdam and had dinner with.    And across the way is "Wishingstar" from Key West and "The Blessing" from Winnipeg, MB

Looopers love to party and shortly after we arrived, Jill stopped by and said we're having a potluck at 6:30 here on the dock!    Last night all the Loopers from here at Winter Harbor dinghyed or biked over to Ess Kay where Ethan and Kim (owners) threw a big Looper party (sorry we missed that)!

We got Big Red out of storage and off we went to Wegman's for some salami, cheese, crackers and chocolate chip cookies for our contribution.

Great party with all these Looper friends....docktails followed by delicious potluck (tenderloin, roasted potatoes, grilled veggies, salad, French bread, etc., etc.)    Also yummy painkillers made by Rob.

Met so many neat folks all with a story to share....and all hoping to be on their way soon!

WOW!!!

Michael sent this incredible photo taken tonight at Lake James!

Sunday - June 23

A glorious Sunday - sunny but strong winds and 52 miles later we are back in Ilion (Ill e on) arriving at 2:45 after an early start at 6:40 leaving Amsterdam.    We went thru 8 locks and were with "Wishingstar" from Key West all the way - sometimes another boat or two.

Not as many boats out and about today as we thought with the canals opening back up.   However, many are stranded other places as the Oswego locks are all closed so no crossing Lake Ontario!    We had thought Little Falls would be our destination today, but things were going well, so we just kept on a'cruisin'.

One week ago today (Father's Day), it was so nasty and rained all day long - what a difference today!    Finally feels like summer!      We love the food at Voss' so good to be back here and pigged out with a late lunch of chili hot dog (Mark), delicious ham BBQ for me and then shared potato salad, macaroni salad and chocolate malts for both (oink oink oink)!!!!

Walked around the big parking lot a few times!    Just an incredible day and evening weatherwise!

Here are a few pics from today:

Ready to go under our favorite pedestrian bridge early this morning!

We cruised past these locks last week near Little Falls and today, kids were climbing!

Cruising on the canal with such pretty scenery

Liam's tournament in O'Fallon, IL was cancelled (after he and Anne got there Friday night) for the weekend cause of bad weather.    Connor's team won yesterday and 1-1 today in Peoria.

 Some sweet pics from NC...

Luke and pretty flowers at Camp Lake James

Our Moppet 

Daddy and Maeve 

Mommy and Luke

Saturday - June 22

We are still in Amsterdam.....Mark called the lockmaster at #11 to get an update and he "thought" it would open sometime this afternoon.    Mark was getting antsy and so we decided to rent a car and drive to Brewerton to pick up our mail and some meds.   It was such a pretty sunny day and Uber (Joe) took us to Enterprise (they do not do pick-ups on Saturday).    We got our car and off to Brewerton (2 hours).

Mark had a few things to pick up from Big Red, so stopped at Winter Harbor, then to Waterfront Tavern for lunch (yummy Walleye and Perch).  While sitting outdoors in the sunshine, Mark's phone beeped that the canals had just reopened - yeah!!!!

Onto EssKay to get our package of mail and say hello to Kim and Ethan, Lee, Jim and Bev.    The plan is to leave tomorrow and hopefully arrive at EssKay by Tuesday or Wednesday?    So, we'll see these folks in a few days.

Very scenic drive in the upstate NY countryside

Back to Brewerton in time for 4:00 Mass at Historic St. Mary's - what a beautiful old church (the kind like Mark and I grew up with) - wonderful stained glass windows and 3 very ornate gorgeous altars - sooo different from what we see these days.

Drove back to Enterprise and ubered back to Catrina arriving at 5:40.    Big day but lots of fun and a nice getaway from Amsterdam.

We were surprised that 6 of the 8 boats were still here (2 new ones came in) - guess no one wanted to leave in the afternoon as there could be a back-up of boats since locks have been closed.

So.....tomorrow, 1st lock (#11) opens at 7 AM and probably a mass exodus of boats out of Amsterdam - we'll be there for sure!!!

This couple on our dock went for a little ride and now putting motorcycle back on boat.

They are from Beaufort, SC and carry their 750 lb. cycle with them so always have transportation.    Neat to watch them maneuver it off and on!

Friday - June 21

Some rain this morning, but by 11, we had sunshine, blue skies, puffy clouds and 77 degrees making for a great day.    We heard this morning that locks were closed and just like that, we and the other 7 Looper boats were not going anywhere! 

I made eggs and toast for breakfast and we got some good exercise (Mark on his bike and me, on foot).    Around noon, Mark got update that all locks on the Oswego Canal were closed along with several more on the Erie making 28 shut down!    Yikes.....

Late afternoon we hit the Canalway Trail (runs from Albany to Buffalo) - it is very woodsy and we didn't last too long as lots of bugs and sign that warned of Lymes disease.    We know from past experience with our brother-in-law and also Annette's family who live in NY, that we don't want any part of that stuff.

Mark riding on the canalway

Neat  sculpture on the pedestrian bridge.

 

So on this first day of summer, weather was good and now hoping locks will open soon and we can be on our way....

We did leftovers for lunch and supper and still have nachos and Italian left!!!!    So Mark and I were sitting on Catrina reading and around 7:30, we heard something....a pretty familiar sound these days, but surely not???   It was so pretty out, but a black cloud was overhead and the rain came pouring down!   And the sun was shining brightly - did not see a rainbow, though.

Thursday - June 20

A rainy day.....cool this morning and warmed up later.    Several Looper boats came in and once again, everyone talking about all the trash in the water, in locks, etc.    And with more rain, it will only get worse!!!     The rivers, lakes, etc., are rising and off and on, some of the locks are closing.

Had a nice relaxing day.....went for 2 walks, bought some chicken salad at Mary Jane's Market, made some BBQ, read, played some euchre (I actually won 2 of 3)! 

Sun came out around 5:30 - yeah.....more rain coming though. 

We went to River's Edge here at marina for dinner - great food!    Mark  had salmon and these are my pulled pork nachos....

Excellent and a bunch of leftovers

Not sure what tomorrow's plans are - wait and see about weather, trash in canal, water levels, etc.

Sure wish there was a good coffee shop in town???     Could use a latte fix!

Wednesday - June 19

We left Scotia Landing at 8 and just a little jaunt today of 16 miles and 3 locks.   Started out dreary and cool, but then the sun popped out and was in and out, off and on!     Warmed up nicely in the 70's and we arrived in Amsterdam at 10.    After going thru Lock #8 (our first of the day), all this debris was piled up on shore - it's been something these past few days with so much crud especially outside and inside the locks.

Lots of debris in the canal from all the rain

We were here in 2011 tied up along the wall at Riverlink Park.   We remember the area where we walked and rode bikes.    This time we went in a different direction and came upon the beautiful pedestrian bridge park area connecting to the culinary district of Amsterdam - restaurants, etc., but some are no longer open.   Such a lovely area to walk, reflect, listen to the music (several speakers tucked in the landscaping).   This is just new since 2016.     We did an overnight stop here in 2017 and ate at River's Edge (by Catrina) but it's closed tonight for a private party.

 

Pretty flowers on the pedestrian bridge

 At the top of the hill sits the very historic former Amsterdam Armory built in 1805.   It was a B and B for 5 years and then sold in 2013 and after spending millions, opened in 2016 as the Amsterdam Castle Hotel with 23 rooms.    It is now a 5* hotel.

Amsterdam Castle Hotel

Trains, trains, so many trains along the Erie Canal......captured this pic of trains going in opposite directions here in Amsterdam,

Trains passing each other here in Amsterdam

Most of the Erie Canal has a 10 mph speed limit, but there are a few areas where 30 or even 45 mph is ok.   WOW.....that would be flying.    Catrina's best is 18-20 mph.

BLT's for lunch and then this afternoon I walked around Riverlink Park, across the pedestrian bridge and then over a walkway across railroad tracks.    High up, here's Catrina....

911 Memorial at Riverlink Park

Flag of 911 victims

2 Looper boats came in around 4......Rob and Jill from FL and Tom and Brenda from SC.

Also, James and Jackie who we've known for many years are cruising on their trimaran.   So good to see them.    They moved onto next lock, so it was a quick "Hi and Bye"!

Tonight we walked to Parillo's Armory Grill in the rain with Jill and Rob, Brenda and Tom.   We had sooo much fun and great to meet these new Looper friends.    Dinner and Chianti were excellent.    And nice to walk back with no rain although more is coming.....

Rob, Pat, Tom

Mark, Jill, Brenda

Walking back to our boats, this awesome picture from the pedestrian bridge

Incredible cloud formation over the canal

Parade of boats...

"Kissed Some Frogs: (Brenda and Tom)

Catrina

"Nautilus" (Jill and Rob)

Tuesday - June 18

We left St. Johnsville at 8:03, cruised 48 miles, went thru 8 locks (no big delays) and arrived at Scotia Landing (near Schenectady) at 1:30.     We had cool cloudy conditions and a little rain (just north of some nasty stuff),

Catrina is only boat docked here at the landing.....we are across the street from Collins Park - wow.....huge pretty spot of many baseball diamonds, basketball and tennis courts, splash pad for the kiddies, fishing pond, and best of all, a very nice paved walking/biking path all around the park!    3 civic organizations have taken an area to sponsor (Kiwanis, Lions and Rotary)   Hats off to the folks in Scotia Village for an awesome sports park!

I walked in the park and Mark rode his bike and was in search of an ATM.    Felt good to have some steps in.

Earlier after we arrived we walked to Jumpin Jacks Drive-In, an ole timey walk-up spot with many picnic tables and lots of food/drink choices.    We enjoyed a late lunch....also building next door has all the ice cream concoctions for Jumpin Jack.

 Very popular place

Pretty flowers in Collins Park

The sun came out late afternoon and it warmed up to 77.    Felt darn good!!!    Tonight we walked/biked around the park again and oh my.............it was packed with several ballgames, volleyball games, tennis matches, etc.    Baseball is going strong here in upstate NY

 Just one of many games happening tonight at Collins Park

Since we're here in Scotia Village, this is as far on the eastern Erie we plan to go....tomorrow we'll head back west.    So many Loopers again today from all over the country.    Tomorrow we'll be going in the same direction.

Such a pretty evening and the kayakers are out and this unique, impressive attraction....

6 water skiers (3 couples)  - great entertainment and skill!

Nighty night from Scotia Landing

Monday - June 17

Jackets on, jackets off - that's how today went as it was warm in the sun and cool in the shade.    At least that's how it was on the water.    After settling in at St. Johnsville, it was time to bring out the shorts and sandals.

We left Ilion at 10:04 after exercising and Mark taking his bike downtown for some gallon jugs of water and bread.   We cruised 20 miles thru 3 locks, one that was 40', the deepest lock on the Erie Canal.    It took an hour to get thru that - 7 boats were going west and had to raft up.   We've passed so many boats going west (Loopers) and we are just moseying along heading east and hitting some of the towns we did not stop at in 2011 when we were doing the Loop or 2017 when we returned from FL.

One thing I meant to mention about Ilion was that it is home to Remington Arms, once the largest gun maker in the country.     It has fallen on hard times with lack of gun sales and 200 of their employees were recently furloughed.    This place is ginormous!!!   There are over 3500 employees at 6 locations.

After tying up here at the St. Johnsville Marina adjacent to the RV campground. we checked in and I walked and Mark rode his bike downtown (too hilly for me) with Stewart's as our destination and some good ice cream.     Mark had butter pecan and death by chocolate; my choice was peanut butter pandemonium - all excellent!    Walked around downtown but not much here - very sad.    Back to Catrina and read.    Such a spectacular day but may not see the sun now till Saturday.    Crazy weather....   We remember 1 year ago doing the western Erie Canal and it was sooo hot!    Sure not the case this year - cool and WET!!!

Some pics from today:

Beautiful Mohawk Valley 

 The Captain of my ship

A canal cruise ship with many school-age children coming thru the lock 

Lock 17 - deepest on the Erie at 40' and here are the 7 boats that were in before us (including a PDQ down 40' from where we were standing above).   Waited an hour and then our turn!

 Unique rock formations near Lock 17 where we waited...

Lots of pretty hanging baskets for sale in the RV park and only $10.   Since we'll be leaving Catrina in a few weeks, no one to give them some TLC while we're gone, so no sale from us.

Chinese leftovers for supper and just enjoyed this pretty evening here in St. Johnsville.

Mark and I were wondering if there was "anywhere" in the US that "needed" rain?    We knew SC was very dry but Charleston had some bad flooding last week, so.....good ole Google told us that there are some some dry areas in Seattle, Georgia and parts of South Carolina.     Wish we could share with these folks!    New York is hurting with flooding, marinas closed, etc.