Phoenix to Oswego, New York

The weather has cooled off and it was an absolutely perfect day when we waved good-bye to the darling Bridge House Brats as we departed Phoenix. Our journey today was still within the New York Canal System but in realty we will be upon the Oswego River which will empty into Lake Ontario. The Oswego River is part of the New York Canal System because it has a system of 7 locks which lowered us a total of 118 feet to the water level of Lake Ontario. There is no lock #4, so our destination is the Oswego Marina located immediately outside Lock 8 in the heart of downtown Oswego. However in all of our travels thus far this is the first time that we have ever seen a bridge in the middle of a lock! We could not go forward until after the water level had been lowered so that we would fit underneath the bridge.



Since we were traveling in a river, the shoreline was considerably different than it was within the man-made canals. Trees lined the shore and for most of the way, we were able to enjoy the undeveloped wetlands. The area reminded us of the Illinois and Tennessee waterways with many of the same trees and water fowl.



I hardly had time to knit…every time I took my yarn and needles out of my bag, it was time for Deck Monkey lock duties. FINALLY, after the third lock, I remembered the special “lock line” I made last year for securing us to the lock wall cables. Once I found the line and used it, my Deck Monkey lock duties became much easier.



Dottie does not seem to mind her life jacket and has found the courage to come outside the boat whenever either one of us is outside. She has not even come close to falling off (knock on wood) and is totally unbothered by the ducks and geese. She just hangs out looking cute and knowing that she is in charge.

We arrived in Oswego Marina and will stay here until the seas are favorable for us to cross Lake Ontario. Look who has the slip next to ours…these guys come and go all around the clock and carry very serious looking weapons. Of course, they are extremely nice, polite and love the Lolligag. I think that they would much prefer to be driving the Lolligag but is it doubtful that they would capture any bad guys at 7 knots.




Hours on the water: 4.5
Nautical miles traveled: 19
Number of bridges to be opened: 1
Time spent waiting at bridge: 0
Number of locks: 7
Next Destination: Kingston, Ontario Canada
What we are listening to: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
Lesson for the day: Don’t forget what you learned last year
Obligatory knitting report: Navy top down cardigan for me