Wandering Sagebrush
Free Range Human
JamesTXSD":3sk5i7pz said:
Jim, I have been very fond of Vintage 8:00 AM.... No need to wait until Tuesday as suggested in another post.
The Cruising Adventures of Wild Blue and crew...
- Thread starter JamesTXSD
- Start date
Jim, I have been very fond of Vintage 8:00 AM.... No need to wait until Tuesday as suggested in another post.
Jim, Joan and Izzy(the swimming cat),
Izzy and our Mr. Grey sure have parrels on their NY State Adventures. The pictures of Izzy and Joan were wonderful, along with the story. I am happy to say that our Mr. Grey did not claw or get too upset when we retrieved him from his unplanned swims.
He had two swims. One in Fort Edward and one in Fairport. In Fort Edward he was walking on the gunnel from the bow back to the cockpit. When he saw Pat was there to get him he tried to turn around to avoid being again confined to the cabin. His butt was too big to turn on the narrow gunnel and in the drink he went. He extended his front paws for a landing but of course he just did a perfect dive. His eyes were really big when he surfaced, he swam around to the bulkhead side of the boat and I retrieved him. It took several hours to get his long hair dried.
In Fairport he tried to escape to the dock and Pat tried to stop him , but only deflected him so he fell in the canal. We were moored just ahead of the Belle at the first space. He swam toward the Belle and went almost to her stern before I could get him to swim back toward our boat. He kept swimming and complaining but he did finally get back alongside our boat and Pat picked him out of the canal. No worse for the wear.
Mr. Grey has some fame in Fairport as the swimming cat. We are glad Izzy got out OK and all is well.
Fred, Pat and Mr. Grey(the cat)
Izzy and our Mr. Grey sure have parrels on their NY State Adventures. The pictures of Izzy and Joan were wonderful, along with the story. I am happy to say that our Mr. Grey did not claw or get too upset when we retrieved him from his unplanned swims.
He had two swims. One in Fort Edward and one in Fairport. In Fort Edward he was walking on the gunnel from the bow back to the cockpit. When he saw Pat was there to get him he tried to turn around to avoid being again confined to the cabin. His butt was too big to turn on the narrow gunnel and in the drink he went. He extended his front paws for a landing but of course he just did a perfect dive. His eyes were really big when he surfaced, he swam around to the bulkhead side of the boat and I retrieved him. It took several hours to get his long hair dried.
In Fairport he tried to escape to the dock and Pat tried to stop him , but only deflected him so he fell in the canal. We were moored just ahead of the Belle at the first space. He swam toward the Belle and went almost to her stern before I could get him to swim back toward our boat. He kept swimming and complaining but he did finally get back alongside our boat and Pat picked him out of the canal. No worse for the wear.
Mr. Grey has some fame in Fairport as the swimming cat. We are glad Izzy got out OK and all is well.
Fred, Pat and Mr. Grey(the cat)
Captains Cat
New member
Oh dear, poor tzzy. I'm sure she was very scared. Glad you got her back safe and sound. I'd say she learned a lesson, but I've had too many cats for too many years to really believe that. Have not washed too many cats but sure wish I owned chain mail to do the deed!
Glad she's OK, give here a rub for us, Charlie, Sally, Scooter, Snowball, Andy, Bonnie and Clyde!
Charlie
Glad she's OK, give here a rub for us, Charlie, Sally, Scooter, Snowball, Andy, Bonnie and Clyde!
Charlie
Nothing in the world like a wet cat. The epitome of disgruntilization. You two are great with the camera, and Izzy looks pretty well cared for. Good cat parents you are.
I used to have 2 have 2 Russian Blues that loved to play in the water, including launching off the walk bridge (over the irrigation canal) after the water skippers). Played in the canal with our neighbors newfoundlanders.
Harvey
SleepyC
I used to have 2 have 2 Russian Blues that loved to play in the water, including launching off the walk bridge (over the irrigation canal) after the water skippers). Played in the canal with our neighbors newfoundlanders.
Harvey
SleepyC
JamesTXSD":1xwxf3ev said:And, a public thanks to Barb (wife of Bridge-tender Don). We enjoyed the white hots! Thank you for thinking about us and taking the time to come visit with us.. that was a very special moment in our trip here. We now get the whole "red-hot/white-hot" food group!It's nice when people give you the gift of their time... AND bring food! :wink:
Our daughter asked, "Are they really white?" Well, sure... they're pork. It's the other white meat. :wink:
Best wishes,
Jim & Joan
Dear Jim, Joan and Izzy,
Glad you enjoyed the Zweigles white hots. It was great to meet you. I have so enjoyed reading about your travels.
As you correctly observed in other posts, the banks of the Erie Canal are utilized by locals for walking and biking far more than any local's recreational use on the water. Many of us walk our dogs on the towpath. Courtesy dictates that we clean up after our pets, so it is common to see us with a leash in one hand and a Wegman's grocery bag in the other for collection of the doggy droppings. I still chuckle at the image of what must have been going through your minds as I approached you at the Holley canal park, walking my dog and carrying a Wegman's bag that was obviously weighted down with goodies. Nothing unusual there, except that I put a big smile on my face and presented that bag of goodies as a gift of local cuisine to visitors from afar! :lol: Whew - bet you were glad it was hot dogs.
I enjoyed the tour of Wild Blue. Thanks for sharing your time.
Glad to know that Izzy is okay after her swim. I'll continue to track your travels - who knows, our paths may cross again somewhere.
Best Regards,
Barb
Pat Anderson
New member
Jim, when you get a chance, maybe you could make and post a map with your route in New York highlighted...it would be fun to match up the posts with the various locations on a map!
Whew! A whole day and a half without internet! We are in Canada, on the Trent-Severn. We spent last night in a "Camp Wal-Mart"... only, up here, they are called, "Wal-Mart, Eh?" :wink: (Canadian friends, note the SMILEY!)
As is our custom, we like to get down early the first day out in a new area... time to get our bearings, get a feel for the local water, and relax after the rush of launching (dinghy, camperback, bikes, etc, etc). We picked this particular place, Reach Harbour Marina, because they have internet.
Regarding the phone situation: we stopped at several phone places once over the border and decided to get a Virgin Mobile (insert your favorite "virgin" joke here) phone with a local #... "pay as you go." Apparently, that isn't as prevalent as in the US. The phone was $40 and came with $50 calling credit. It will allow us to stay in touch with the Moms... short calls, budgeting our minutes. $.65 cents per min to the US. "Hi, we're OK, how are you?" And that's about it. But, it will keep them from worrying about us. No, they have no idea what a SPOT is or how to get the info.... this was a relatively inexpensive way to (barely) stay in touch. Certainly a lot less expensive than Verizon's out of the country coverage AND we get to keep our current plans. Situation solved.
We only have a few hours on the Trent-Severn, but it is spectacularly beautiful. If the Erie Canal wasn't what you might have expected, this is even more different. More expensive to cruise than the Erie, more open water, and a gazillion islands... you PNW folks would feel right at home (sans mountains). VERY pretty water.
Got to run for now, but I'll try to get some images posted later.
Izzy sends her best regards.
Best wishes,
Jim B.
Dave, Not sure what you meant by "Cat-Fish"? I know you weren't referring to our sweet little Izzy... you saw the face; she is much happier when dry. You could be here right now. Snack has sweaters, she'd be fine here in the frozen northland. I took that as "Cat" (insert hyphen to allow for space") and you were telling us the fish left you. Dave had a cat-fish (well, some kind of fish) that just laid in the water across the dock from him. I think it was waiting for Snack to fall in... Izzy was too big for it to swallow.
The forecast for tonight is in the 30s! :disgust Guess we won't be needing the a/c. We have a whole 20 amps and an electric heater - we're good to go! After tonight, it's supposed to be warmer at night for the next 10 days.
Pat, here's a map of our travels in NY...
As is our custom, we like to get down early the first day out in a new area... time to get our bearings, get a feel for the local water, and relax after the rush of launching (dinghy, camperback, bikes, etc, etc). We picked this particular place, Reach Harbour Marina, because they have internet.
Regarding the phone situation: we stopped at several phone places once over the border and decided to get a Virgin Mobile (insert your favorite "virgin" joke here) phone with a local #... "pay as you go." Apparently, that isn't as prevalent as in the US. The phone was $40 and came with $50 calling credit. It will allow us to stay in touch with the Moms... short calls, budgeting our minutes. $.65 cents per min to the US. "Hi, we're OK, how are you?" And that's about it. But, it will keep them from worrying about us. No, they have no idea what a SPOT is or how to get the info.... this was a relatively inexpensive way to (barely) stay in touch. Certainly a lot less expensive than Verizon's out of the country coverage AND we get to keep our current plans. Situation solved.
We only have a few hours on the Trent-Severn, but it is spectacularly beautiful. If the Erie Canal wasn't what you might have expected, this is even more different. More expensive to cruise than the Erie, more open water, and a gazillion islands... you PNW folks would feel right at home (sans mountains). VERY pretty water.
Got to run for now, but I'll try to get some images posted later.
Izzy sends her best regards.
Best wishes,
Jim B.
Dave, Not sure what you meant by "Cat-Fish"? I know you weren't referring to our sweet little Izzy... you saw the face; she is much happier when dry. You could be here right now. Snack has sweaters, she'd be fine here in the frozen northland. I took that as "Cat" (insert hyphen to allow for space") and you were telling us the fish left you. Dave had a cat-fish (well, some kind of fish) that just laid in the water across the dock from him. I think it was waiting for Snack to fall in... Izzy was too big for it to swallow.
The forecast for tonight is in the 30s! :disgust Guess we won't be needing the a/c. We have a whole 20 amps and an electric heater - we're good to go! After tonight, it's supposed to be warmer at night for the next 10 days.
Pat, here's a map of our travels in NY...
Ashley Lynn
New member
For cheap calling.......
check out http://www.onesuite.com/
I have used them for international calling from home......cheap and reliable...
check out http://www.onesuite.com/
I have used them for international calling from home......cheap and reliable...
Captains Cat
New member
Jim and Joan, I love that track you followed.. :disgust .. Are you sure Izzy wasn't in command?
Charlie
Charlie
Hi Bob,
I like the idea of a cell phone, in case of an emergency. With an internet connection, I have Skype, and it is a very reasonable alternative. It just cost me 16¢ for a 5 minute call to the US.
-----------------
And, regarding the map... Joan said I left out the part where we headed NE into Canada.
The more we get into this area, the more it reminds me of the PNW in so many repects... namely, more water and places to go than you could see and do in many years.
We put off coming this way until now with the hopes that we'd avoid some of the crowds. One of the lockmasters today told me that he expects this weekend to be the busiest of the season! Who knew? So, up here, it is called Labour Day Weekend? :wink:
Best wishes,
Jim
I like the idea of a cell phone, in case of an emergency. With an internet connection, I have Skype, and it is a very reasonable alternative. It just cost me 16¢ for a 5 minute call to the US.
-----------------
And, regarding the map...
Joan said I left out the part where we headed NE into Canada.The more we get into this area, the more it reminds me of the PNW in so many repects... namely, more water and places to go than you could see and do in many years.
We put off coming this way until now with the hopes that we'd avoid some of the crowds. One of the lockmasters today told me that he expects this weekend to be the busiest of the season! Who knew? So, up here, it is called Labour Day Weekend? :wink:
Best wishes,
Jim
Hi Jim,
How did you know I was thinking about you right there.
And as to the map, I knew there was going to be trouble :twisted: when you started doing the wine tasting, and were swallowing on the first taste.
Normally, the greeting for a south Texan would be something like "You'all stay cool now", but for tonight, plug in the heater, and stay toasty.
Harvey
SleepyC
How did you know I was thinking about you right there.
And as to the map, I knew there was going to be trouble :twisted: when you started doing the wine tasting, and were swallowing on the first taste.
Normally, the greeting for a south Texan would be something like "You'all stay cool now", but for tonight, plug in the heater, and stay toasty.
Harvey
SleepyC
Pat Anderson
New member
Thanks, Jim, you are a stitch, you really are! Next time, no beef for you! It is all clams, crabs, mussels and other yummy seafoods!
Hi Folks,
We have a wireless connection after a few days on lock walls... I sure do miss the daily dose of C-Brats.
Regarding the Trent-Severn...
Oh, my goodness gracious! THIS WATERWAY IS SPECTACULAR! We have been through some beautiful country, some interesting locks, and met some truly outstanding people.
Our first night in the marina provided us with some new friends that we've wound up meeting the last couple nights. Scottish transplants to Canada, Bill and Kathy would fit right in as C-Brats - warm, welcoming, and great sense of humor. And Bill cooks! And Al, the ladies' man (I think he took a real shine to Joan).
We have been through lakes, rivers, blasted channels, and some wonderful locks. I'll be a while getting some photos, but the lift locks (run like a see-saw) are pretty amazing... especially when you pull into one from the UP side and you are looking out over your bow over 5 stories above the ground! And the Historic Locks, where the lockmasters turn the valves by walking a wheel around. What an absolute treat this has been. The waterway runs through towns, farmland, wilderness, and lake after beautiful lake... each one looks like a destination resort... and these people love their boating... most of the homes along the water have boathouses (some with two large doors).
And the weather: days in the low 70s with scads of sunshine, and nights cool enough to need the Wallas. Great boating, great water, great sleeping. I love this area!
We are now at a small town called Lagoon City on the NE shore of Lake Simco. The canals in the town remind me of Ft. Lauderdale... only a bit nippier, eh? :wink: And a lot smaller.
As we close in on the Labor Day weekend, we know the waterway will be more populated; our plan is to get down, enjoy wherever we are, and stay out of the way of the crowds. So far, this cruise has been blissfully quiet. And did I mention: beautiful!
Well, there are 227 messages here since my last visit... may take me a while to catch up.
Best wishes,
Jim B.
PS Dave and Jan, what's going on with your trailer?
We have a wireless connection after a few days on lock walls... I sure do miss the daily dose of C-Brats.
Regarding the Trent-Severn...
Oh, my goodness gracious! THIS WATERWAY IS SPECTACULAR! We have been through some beautiful country, some interesting locks, and met some truly outstanding people.
Our first night in the marina provided us with some new friends that we've wound up meeting the last couple nights. Scottish transplants to Canada, Bill and Kathy would fit right in as C-Brats - warm, welcoming, and great sense of humor. And Bill cooks! And Al, the ladies' man (I think he took a real shine to Joan).
We have been through lakes, rivers, blasted channels, and some wonderful locks. I'll be a while getting some photos, but the lift locks (run like a see-saw) are pretty amazing... especially when you pull into one from the UP side and you are looking out over your bow over 5 stories above the ground! And the Historic Locks, where the lockmasters turn the valves by walking a wheel around. What an absolute treat this has been. The waterway runs through towns, farmland, wilderness, and lake after beautiful lake... each one looks like a destination resort... and these people love their boating... most of the homes along the water have boathouses (some with two large doors).
And the weather: days in the low 70s with scads of sunshine, and nights cool enough to need the Wallas. Great boating, great water, great sleeping. I love this area!
We are now at a small town called Lagoon City on the NE shore of Lake Simco. The canals in the town remind me of Ft. Lauderdale... only a bit nippier, eh? :wink: And a lot smaller.
As we close in on the Labor Day weekend, we know the waterway will be more populated; our plan is to get down, enjoy wherever we are, and stay out of the way of the crowds. So far, this cruise has been blissfully quiet. And did I mention: beautiful!
Well, there are 227 messages here since my last visit... may take me a while to catch up.
Best wishes,
Jim B.
PS Dave and Jan, what's going on with your trailer?
Hi Robert,
I read your posts on the Trent-Severn - the reason we picked Burleigh Falls to launch (thanks for that tip). Pretty amazing cruising here, huh? :thup
-----------------------
Here are a few photos...
Sunrise on the water...
Oval bridge...
Lift lock...
Pretty impressing looking over the edge of that lift lock from the boat... 5 stories up.
More details on our blog: http://captnjim.blogspot.com/
Best wishes,
Jim B.
I read your posts on the Trent-Severn - the reason we picked Burleigh Falls to launch (thanks for that tip). Pretty amazing cruising here, huh? :thup
-----------------------
Here are a few photos...
Sunrise on the water...
Oval bridge...
Lift lock...
Pretty impressing looking over the edge of that lift lock from the boat... 5 stories up.
More details on our blog: http://captnjim.blogspot.com/
Best wishes,
Jim B.
Last night at Lagoon City was nice... a great marina, with power, water, cable TV, and (oh, bless them) hot tubs. And a reasonable price.
Today, we ran across Lake Simco. It's a big lake; big enough that there are warnings on the chart regarding weather. One source says 16x20 miles. The locals say it's best to cross it early, before the wind comes up. We left Lagoon City about 10:00, and had a beautiful run to the northern part of the lake, through the Narrows, and into Lake Couchiching (I just like to say, "Couchiching" :wink: ). We are down for a couple nights at Orillia, with the plan to avoid some of the heavy holiday traffic. We're in a city marina that closes after Sunday. They gave us a key to the showers and said, "You can still stay here after we close. One of the docks has power and the showers are cleaned daily, until Thanksgiving." Pretty good deal. We'll probably hit it again on our way back through.
Joan made arrangements for us to take the shuttle to a nearby casino. She downloaded rewards info for a couple free meals... I think this officially makes us old fart tourists... now which way to the penny slot machines? :wink:
Town is right beyond the marina, with a grocery store, laundry, liquor store, ice cream stand, and plenty of restaurants to keep us occupied during our stay.
Here's a look at Lake Simco from the helm...
Best wishes,
Jim
Today, we ran across Lake Simco. It's a big lake; big enough that there are warnings on the chart regarding weather. One source says 16x20 miles. The locals say it's best to cross it early, before the wind comes up. We left Lagoon City about 10:00, and had a beautiful run to the northern part of the lake, through the Narrows, and into Lake Couchiching (I just like to say, "Couchiching" :wink: ). We are down for a couple nights at Orillia, with the plan to avoid some of the heavy holiday traffic. We're in a city marina that closes after Sunday. They gave us a key to the showers and said, "You can still stay here after we close. One of the docks has power and the showers are cleaned daily, until Thanksgiving." Pretty good deal. We'll probably hit it again on our way back through.
Joan made arrangements for us to take the shuttle to a nearby casino. She downloaded rewards info for a couple free meals... I think this officially makes us old fart tourists... now which way to the penny slot machines? :wink:
Town is right beyond the marina, with a grocery store, laundry, liquor store, ice cream stand, and plenty of restaurants to keep us occupied during our stay.
Here's a look at Lake Simco from the helm...
Best wishes,
Jim