We decided to head to Albion for our destination for Thanksgiving. Taking my mom on the journey proved to be a good time. Aiden and Mom played spoons while Scott drove. There were a lot of giggles going on. While in Albion Aiden got out his truck and drove till the batteries were worn out, then a recharge and back at it. Some ramps were built to make the truck even more exciting.
We stopped in Medina for one night of the trip. Cute little town but not much open. Met a fellow who had a “barge” to live in during the summer months on the canal. He was heading back to Florida for the winter and had another boat that he lives on down there. We had to stop and think about that idea!
We stayed the first night of our Thanksgiving journey in Lockport. This is such a nice historical stop with the old flight locks and new twin replacement locks.
Our favourite little spot. Loe Beaver Island State Park located on Grand Island, NY. Always a bit breezy but with the seclusion at the end of the day with only marina folk, the ability to make campfires, and therefore eat way to many s’mores, and the dog able to run at will after the park closes it is truly a fav.
We always end up with Curtis, Connie and Alexis, Matt and Patti and their girls and whoever else happens to be there partying till the fire ends. This week was no different. We also did the bike trails more than once and found a little place on the Niagara River that has frozen bananas for a quick stopover. Newton is also able to swim in the lagoon and fetch sticks till he’s worn out which we do every day while here.
Scott decided to bike ride to the other end of Grand Island on his own while Aiden, Alexis and I made it to Timmies for a bevy about a 10 km ride. Next year I think Aiden and I will have to do that trek as well. The island has bike trails along the shoreline that rarely mixes with traffic.
So after the several days in Port Colborne we decided to head over to Buffalo Harbour. Bet you didn’t know Buffalo had a harbour. It’s the Military and Naval Park that has a decommissioned destroyer and sub waiting for you visitors and visit. Tons of things are going on in the harbour daily. They are putting a lot of effort into regenerating a historical area of Buffalo and it shows. Bike paths, walking paths, dog friendly areas, nature paths all along the waterfront. This area is being so well done that it is a recommended stop Thor boaters as well as land lovers. Hydro and water for five boats with over 10 spots with no services. a beautiful park to roam around in and several entertainment venues. While we were there The Tragically Hip was playing at a nearby court door concert arena along the water’s edge.
The Cotter made a sunset appearance. She is the oldest still commissioned fire fighting vessel in the world. With her sprinklers going she is quite the sight to see even though she is over one hundred years old.
We headed off to Woodlawn Beach before we started to head back down the Niagara River towards home. A beach near the big windmills collecting wind power for the City of Buffalo along the east side of Lake Erie. I don’t see what the big deal in having these and wonder why people are so against them. Not only are they picturesque, they are quiet, really quiet. One of the marvels of sustainable power and engineering.
The beach is a great beach too. The dog was able to swim and run the one side area with no problem. We wore him out and he still swam back to the boat. A warm calm day is needed for this beach as no shelter from the winds of Lake Erie is available.
After a great day on the beach we Re headed off to Beaver Island State Park. We haven’t been there since Father’s Day In June. Looking forward to the beach, bike riding and nature that awaits us there
We stayed on the wall in Tonawanda Gateway Park this week. Super easy for Scott to get to work and good friends made in the other boaters. Met some families from Greater Niagara Boat Club, our home club and some friends from a Grand Island club, Red Oaks Club. Came home for a couple days to catch up on work stuff, had some work friends out on the boat for a cruise around Grand Island and then decided to head on out to Canal Days in Port Colborne stopping at a few new spots along the way.
Holy Party Batman!!! With concerts every night, a carnival, streets closed down, hundreds of boats in the harbour, people literally everywhere, kids games, scavenger hunts, obstacle course, and everything else you can think of, we certainly were not bored this week. Some boats from a local yacht club decorated their boats for a Christmas in July theme after dark. The bands were amazing every single night. Next year if we choose to come to this event we will be prepared instead of showing up the day it starts after a 10 vacation.
………………and HOT, ridiculously hot temps hovering around 35 degrees, 90’s for our American neighbours. It was difficult to get around in the crowds in that heat but we all did it anyway. Tracey, Brian and family made it out to our Friday night concert to be met by an insane thunderstorm. Beautiful light show in the lightening for a couple hours and then crazy wind, rain and literally pounding rain until the wee hours of the next day. Everything shut down at that point. We managed to have a great time anyway. Wine, beer and Jamieson’s flowed with a dinner better than any 5 star restaurant. Great company.
The week ended with a fireworks show on the Sunday night. Stunning show, although short, with a huge crowd. We had to clear out the harbour so it was interesting moving about 30+ boats back behind the main barrier. A lot of boats had left already but there were still several sticking around till Monday. After the fireworks we made our way back to our favourite spot on the terminal wall and stayed there for another week.
View Finger Lakes in a larger map
Leaving Holley at a reasonable hour did not make the 9 hour trip back to Tonawanda any quicker. The trek back through, what we consider the most boring stretch of the Erie Canal, was still full of surprises. We definitely saw more boat traffic along the route going in both directions. We had heard that the canal had both opened and then closed a portion of the canal on the eastern half. Maybe that is what created folks deciding to push on.
We did have the opportunity to watch the geese, a lonely doe, a few ducks, and a few osprey along the way. It was our first time locking up at Lockport, NY. We didn’t realize that the locks were as large as they are. Being a set of flight locks the two locks did seem a bit cavernous after the much smaller locks that we have had. We did lock down them but they didn’t seem as large. It’s all perspective, I suppose.
It was a hot, hot day too. Not able to swim in the canal makes it all seem even hotter. Surrounded by water and no way in. Not fun. The waterway is so silty and polluted at this portion not a sole goes in. As we made our way closer to our end stop of Tonawanda the water did open up to the more clear green, blue colour of the Niagara River. A welcome sight.
Upon arriving in Tonawanda, after the dinner hour, the harbour was full with Canal Fest going on. The first day. Not a spot available anywhere. We saw a couple boats from our home club of the Greater Niagara Boat Club on the wall and were going to ask to raft but “John” said he was leaving and could have his space. We didn’t even know that this was a space. Actually it isn’t, but at Canal Fest it is a free for all and anything goes scenario. You have got to see this place for the next week to believe it. Bands every night, a carnival, streets shut down, vendors, games, food, literally everywhere. It starts at 10:00 am and goes till 11:00 pm every single night this week. It is truly amazing to see all the boats, lights and sounds. So if you are looking for things to do this week, trip on over to the Tonawanda Gateway Harbour. Don’t forget your bathing suit!