August 15, Jordan to Baldwinsville 13.5

 

I don’t understand how we got such a late start. We arrived at the Cross Lake Boat Club’s ramp at about 11:00 and while we were getting the boat ready in drove Mat Grudzien, President of the boat club, taking a few minutes off from work to bring us a donation from the club!  What a wonderful place with such good people.

 

Mat Grudzien giving me the club's donation

 

 A gaggle of domestic geese

 

We pulled out into the canal at close to noon but put in a good long steady piece before our first rest. These long steady rows feel so good to me. The pace, about 18 strokes per minute is one I can keep up without losing my breath. Heather has learned to keep up this pace as well and the miles fly by. Soon we were nearing Baldwinsville and looking for lock 24.  We stopped to call the lockmaster and I was told that he had three boats coming through the lock from the east and would be ready for us in about 15 minutes. We noticed a boat we had seen pass us the day before while we were resting called the Green Burrito. We rowed close to it parked at the dock before the lock. Its owner came on deck to say he had taken a picture of us resting.

 

 The Green Burrito

Resting in Lock 24  

 

We pulled into the lock as the gate opened and saw another fast moving powerboat heading towards us. As it slowed just before entering the lock we heard the roar of its engines. This boat was such a contrast to ours it was ridiculous. Its driver idle it past us to go and tie up at the outlet end belching blue smoke. We backed up to stay near the entrance end because we did not want to hear or smell its loud diesel engines. Finally they stopped. As the lock opened there was a loud explosion as the diesel guzzler started up. It pop popped out of the lock and lead the parade of contrast out of the lock.

Deisel guzzler 

 Lock 24

 

Soon we saw the ramp at Lions park and pulled over. I called Stacy White of the Syracuse Habitat affiliate who said she was starting out to find us. We readied the boat for pick up and talked to a father and son who had bicycled in. They were very interested in what we were doing.

 

 

 Lions Park Ramp in Baldwinsville

 

Stacy arrived and we started back to the Cross Lake Boat Club. It seemed like a long distance on the road.  

 What a smile!

Stacy White of the Syracuse HFH Affiliate drove me back to the car.

 

 

Just for the record!

 

Heather had been very frustrated with her old laptop and has not been able to get the pictures up on the website. I decided that I would get her a replacement while she needed it so badly. We asked Stacy where we could find a Best Buy. I don’t like malls but we had to go to the Carousel Mall to find the Best Buy. I endured. We rushed to get there and Heather picked out her laptop in about as short a time as I have ever seen her make such decisions!  It was almost 10:00 when we got seated for dinner. I was too tired to eat much but had a healthy salad.  We arrived back at the hotel at 11:00. I fell asleep as Heather started to explore her new laptop.