Deep Bay, NY

July 24-25, 2013

Deep Bay (off Treadwell Bay), NY

Wednesday morning is windy (10-15, with gusts to 25) and cool, but I am leaving Plattsburgh.  If it’s not too crowded I am going to pick up a mooring in Deep Bay.  They did make reservations at Mooney Bay Marina just in case.

Lucky, lucky us!  The mooring field has a lot of space.  Dreamchaser and I pick up moorings.  We are out of the wind and waves that we’ve been traveling through.  It’s really a pretty place.  And I don’t have to worry about weeds!

 

Dreamchaser moored in Deep Bay

Thursday morning they all took a dinghy ride and explored the State Park that this mooring field is part of.  They took a hike along the Long Point Trail in the morning and explored Middle Bay and the beach in the PM. 

 

Long Point

We have really enjoyed being here.  I think it’s one of the most peaceful and quiet places I’ve been lately!

Plattsburgh, NY

July 21-23, 2013

Plattsburgh, NY

Sunday AM it was decided that Dreamchaser and I would try to anchor south of Bluff Point on Valcour Island.  It’s supposed to blow from the north again tonight and that will be protected.  Bummer!  The anchorage is packed!  We try an empty spot but all I get is weeds and mud.  My anchor won’t hold.  And now I have weeds on my prop and a vibration!  It's okay -- after a short haul we found out everything was gone!  Whew!

 

Lighthouse on Valcour Island

Kate puts a call into Plattsburgh Boat Basin and we get slips for the night.  Greg decides to get fuel and a pump-out.  Well – I had to circle for about 30 minutes. Every sailboat around was looking for a pump-out!

We all end up staying Monday & Tuesday because of some weather.  The people enjoy walking into town.  They had lunch at a Greek restaurant one day, and ice cream the next.  Nothing for me though!

Oh, well.  At least we had good sleeping, even if I was docked right outside the restaurant!  

Mallett's Bay, VT

July 18-20, 2013

Colchester, VT

We were going to leave early today to beat the heat and the storms but Dreamchaser had to wait in line for fuel and a pump-out.  We are only going from Burlington to Mallett’s Bay so it’s only about 2 hours.

 

The entry into Mallett's Bay from Champlain

The people decided to walk to the grocery – about a 10-minute walk.  They need beer, wine, milk and bread.  Well --- they got caught in a rainstorm and were soaked when they came back!  I was a little miffed that they were dripping all over me!

Friday was Fred’s birthday.  He and Greg were busy making sure Dreamchaser and I were pretty and clean while the ladies went to the grocery again for a birthday pie.

Saturday was a windy day.  They all walked to a pub for burgers.  By the time they got back a north wind was really slapping me around!  Kate really didn’t like the rocking and rolling!

Anchorage across from The Moorings Marina

Burlington, VT

July 15 – 17, 2013

Burlington, VT

Leaving Vergennes on Monday morning I had a 3-knot push down Otter Creek that really helped!  We actually arrived early at Burlington Community Boathouse and had to wait for slips to be vacated.  Mine was ready first, but Dreamchaser had to circle a bit.

 

Juniper Island outside Burlington Harbor

After lunch all the people walked into town.  The ladies shopped a bit while the guys got haircuts.  Then they had dinner at the Vermont Pub & Brewery.

On Tuesday they all went to ECHO – a science center at the harbor.  Ginny went for a haircut and then they all had lunch at the harbor.  The ladies went shopping again while Greg & Fred biked 3 miles to the Magic Hat Brewery for a tour.

Wednesday was cleaning and re-provisioning for the next stop in Malletts Bay.  They all took the free shuttle to and from the City Market.  I think we’re all set now for the next few days.  They decided on a German restaurant for dinner.  Everything was great (according to Kate & Greg) and they even had entertainment.  Ooompah!

Vergennes, VT

July 14, 2013

Vergennes, VT

We were ready to leave about 9:45 this morning when Dreamchaser had a generator issue.  I just hung onto a dock until they got it fixed and then we were off!

We are headed across the Lake to Vergennes, Vermont.  They have a free dock that has some power.  It will be a long ride up Otter Creek (11 miles) but people say it’s worth it.

When we arrived the dock was empty so we have power.  Only 1 other boat came in all day.  There is a waterfall at the top of the creek and a hydroelectric plant.  It’s very pretty.

 

The Falls at Vergennes

The people walked a lot of hills to get to town, but said it was worth it.  Kate’s only complaint was that it was a Sunday and most of the shops were closed!  Greg seemed happy though.

The Falls at night

Westport, NY

July 11 – 13, 2013

Westport, NY

On Thursday the 11^th it was decided that Dreamchaser and I would anchor out that night.  It was a bit windy as we left Chipman Point Marina.  We had originally planned to anchor by the Crown Point Bridge, off Crown Pt. Fort but it was too exposed to the North.

We went a little further north and anchored in Cole Bay between Cole Island and Camp Dudley.  The camp is a YMCA boy’s camp.  Lots of whooping and hollering.  The first time Greg set my anchor I dragged and there were a lot of weeds.  It was better the 2^nd time, but Greg set the anchor alarm just in case.

I was rocking ad rolling until dinner when the east wind calmed.  I don’t think Greg and Kate got much sleep.

Friday Greg pulled my anchor around 10 AM (ugh!! Lots more weeds!) and we set off on a short ride to Westport Marina.  Very short ride – only 40 minutes!  We stayed for 2 nights here.  It’s a real small town – some cute shops (according to Kate & Ginny!) and a market.

The fixed docks in the marina are under water because the Lake level is so high!  Glad that Dreamchaser and I are on floating docks!

Orwell,VT

July 9 – 10, 2013

Orwell, VT

I am only going a few miles on Tuesday – about 20 or so.  I am going to Chipman Point Marina where my friend Free To B lives.  My people are looking forward to it.

It’s a small marina, but the people are really nice. It has some really historic buildings – one was built in 1892! The people can’t do enough for you!  On Wednesday my people wanted to visit Fort Ticonderoga.  The owner let them use her car, no problem.  They had a good time and learned a lot.  And they just got back to me in time for a deluge!  It’s been raining up here for 14 straight days – time for some sunshine!

 

French Fife & Drum - Ft. Ticonderoga

Musket Demonstration - Ft. Ticonderoga

I am hoping tomorrow is better because I want to throw out my hook and have a quiet night. 

Whitehall, NY

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July 8, 2013

Whitehall, NY

I finished the Champlain Canal today.  I went through 7 locks and only had to wait a little bit at 2 of them.  I had to maneuver around some tugs and barges between Locks 5 through 8.  There is a special dredging project going on.  Still it was a pretty easy day.

One of the barges moored in the canal.

Fred "Tug 44"

Greg thought this would make a nice summer place on the canal!

I ended the day at Whitehall Marina.  Greg discovered it’s near a campground that they stayed at 30 some years ago with the boys and some friends.

Tomorrow I’m in Lake Champlain!

Schuylerville, NY

July 7, 2013

Schuylerville, NY

It’s very hot when I leave this morning @ 7AM, but it looks like rain.  Of course – today I will be going through 5 locks.  Fortunately it doesn’t rain for very long. 

These locks are a bit better than the Erie – so far they have all had ropes and either pipe or cable.  Kate likes to use the pipe or cable better than ropes.

I didn’t have any problems today –even with one very low bridge!  I squeaked through with about 6 inches to spare!

I am in the Schuyler Yacht Basin tonight.  It has a campground too and is only 2 blocks from downtown.  Good for the people to get some exercise!

New Baltimore, NY

July 5-6, 2013

New Baltimore, NY

It was very hot on Friday so we left Kingston early (at least early for Kate!).  I’m only heading as far as Shady Harbor Marina below Albany.  I need some fuel and a pump-out before Greg disconnects my discharge hose.  I think Dreamchaser also needs to do the same.

The people are happy with this marina because there’s a pool.  They also have a courtesy car, and a nice restaurant, and a neat little ship’s store. (I found this all out from Kate.)

There were other Loopers at Shady Harbor so I made new friends.  I hope to see some of them again soon.

Greg made sure everything was ready for the canal – fenders out, mast down, ropes ready.  I’m good to go!

Kingston, NY - 4th of July

July 3-4, 2013

Kingston, NY

I had a very short ride on Wed., July 3^rd.  Since it would only be about an hour, everyone slept in for a bit. Dreamchaser and I left at 9:50 AM and were tied up in Kingston by 10:45AM!  The reason for the short ride is to see fireworks on July 4^th!

The people walked around the downtown area by the docks and then visited the Hudson River Maritime Museum.  They said the exhibits were very informative!

On the 4^th everybody kind of stayed put doing chores. The town had music starting at 5 PM. I had a very good sot to see the fireworks so they had dinner on my bridge.  For a small town/city the show was pretty awesome!

 

A few of the people who came to join us!

Oooooh!!!

Aaaahh!

Tomorrow I head up the Hudson to Shady Harbor Marina in New Baltimore.

Norrie State Park, Staatsburg, NY

July1-2, 2013

Staatsburg, NY

It was very cloudy Monday AM when we left Croton-on-Hudson at 6:55.  I knew that I would get rained on before too long.  Sure enough – around 8 AM they had to go inside and drive from my lower helm. It was very heavy at times and there were even flash flood warnings being broadcast!

We got into Norrie State Park Marina about 12:30 PM.  It’s very nice – rustic!  It’s only $1 a foot, $5 for electric, and a $5 out-of-state fee. There’s also a campground, lots of hiking trails, and a golf course.

On Tuesday morning I was given a nice cleaning.  Kate re-arranged some things and Greg checked my engine. Later on they all took a tour of the Environmental Center and then did a little hiking (and I do mean little).

All in all – a nice spot but a bit rocky from passing tugs and boats.

Croton-on-Hudson, NY

June 27 – 30, 2013

Croton-on-Hudson, NY

Thursday as I left Liberty Landing it was a bit squirrelly – ferries to the left, ferries to the right, ferries in front and behind!  Too many ferries!  How many people are there going to NY City every day?

My morning got so much better once I was under the George Washington Bridge!

       I was heading to Half Moon Bay Marina.  I had been there 3 years ago and my people were hoping it had improved in that time.  No such luck!  Same dock master – same experience!  Only good thing is they rented a car this time!

Friday they all left Dreamchaser and me for hours as they toured West Point.  They came home only to shower and change and leave for dinner at the Culinary Institute Of America.  Talk about being left behind!  And I had no water when they came back!

Saturday Greg woke the “dock master” up to come fix the water.  Then they all went to the grocery store.  Greg took my dinghy down and played with the motor and then went for a ride.  Kate just did laundry.

Sunday they spent all day with Dreamchaser.  I was a little jealous, but there was company that they hadn’t seen in a long time.  Oh, well.  Tomorrow we are heading to Norrie State Park for a day or two.

 

Stained glass in Chapel @ West Point

View from West Point up the Hudson