In which we are no longer alone in the wilderness ...
We awoke to a coolish, overcast day and met our fellow marina neighbors at 9:30 to go for breakfast. As we talked with everyone and started to exchange stories we realized that our stay in Mohawk Harbor was actually a blessing. Some had been stuck in far worse places. Our new friends on Knot Again ended up inside a lock for 5 days! They had entered the lock for protection from one of the storms (locks can be used for refuge-apparently there were hundreds of boats inside the Waterford Locks riding out Henri), but then were stuck there when the locks closed. Initially they were at the top of the lock, but as the water drained they slowly sank down into the depths of the lock. No power, no water and stifling heat as the wind doesn’t reach down into the lock. They had to use the ladders to climb out for groceries. Everyone has a story about where they were and what they had to go through during this period of lock closures. I guess I am thankful for Schenectady…?
We had a nice breakfast with the group:
Then we went off to find the local barber the group had told us about. Rick needed a haircut and how great to support a local guy who cuts hair in his converted garage. It was very professional and he wore his barber “uniform”. Sadly his reading selection wasn’t People magazine, but guns, amo and Rush Limbaugh. Eye roll..
We had all planned to get together for dinner in the little park right next to the dock, but Ida rain continued so everyone tucked up in their boats for the evening. Rick made everyone banana bread, which he hand delivered via umbrella! We like the group so much we decided to stay one more day for the potluck. We nodded off to the gentle rain.
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| The boat behind us-great name as they are retired, and she was a pharmacist ! |
Thursday dawned bright, clear and cool! It is as if, on September 1, someone threw a switch and the weather cooled off. Daytime high temperatures are now in the low 70’s and overnight it has been in the 50’s. Truly delightful weather. We had avocado toast with smoked salmon for breakfast - I’m going to brag on Rick about that later!
All the boys made the short walk into town to visit the local farm vegetable stand. Rick wanted to buy corn and tomatoes for our group dinner. The regular farm stand wasn’t open but there was another farmer selling vegetables out of the back of his truck. Fresh tomatoes, onions and a watermelon!
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| This silly little light house actually functions! |
At 6 pm we all gathered at the park picnic table and prepared a feast of chili dogs, caprese salad and watermelon. Everyone pitched in something and we had more food than we could eat. It was just great. We invited the recently arrived sailboat family, and then enjoyed watching the two kids play. Rick and I are usually the youngest in a boating group! But this time Lunasauras and Velo Polaris (I am not making that up) had us beat. We have so enjoyed getting to know these other boaters. We enjoy both types of boating - being alone together just the two of us, and meeting and getting to know other boaters. It is nice to have a mix of both.
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| Luna and Velo-she is trying to teach him patty-cake but his gross motor skills are not quite there!! |
The other thing that we like is that boaters mostly go to bed early! By 8 pm everyone was yawning and the group broke up with everyone saying good night. Earlier in the day we had received an email update from the NY Canal authority confirming that the locks would open tomorrow so we are planning to be on the move again.
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| Party on the wall! |
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