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August 17 Cold Springs to Brewerton 17.2
We really wanted to finish the trip to Lake Oneida today so we got off early and were on the water by 9:30. Because of the winds we left the canopy behind. It would have caused us to be blown around too much. It was lucky we did.
Leaving the ramp at Cold Springs on Sunday morning
We were going along, caught in the rhythm of our strokes, when suddenly Heather's starboard oar hit a marker and jolted us both awake. We row facing the stern so it is not always easy to see objects in our path. The canal has also been full of rather large and menaceing logs. It is hard to see them in the rear view mirror due to the sun, shadows, and the fact that "objects in the mirror are closer than they appear".
THWACK! We rowed right into this green marker!!
One of the many "canal gators" (a floating log) - something else to bump into
About half way along we noticed the Green Burrito about half a mile behind us approaching very slowly. I began to think its owner was purposely following slowly to be able to watch us. I believe we were followed for four miles before being passed. Being watched I felt a need to watch my form and row as well as I can. I think our pace was a little higher as well.
The skipper of the Green Burrito
The Green Burrito
We reached Lock 23 along with seven or eight other boats. We were a curiosity to them I suppose. There were two SeaDoos among them and one cigarette boat with loud diesel engines. This lock was the first to lift us up. Water boiled up from under the boat as it filled the lock. Heather held the rope on the wall for a while but I thought it better to keep to the center where there was plenty of room.
Waiting with the "big boys" for Lock 23 to open
We waited to be the last out of the lock and then rowed the two or three miles down to the Brewerton harbor on the western shore of Lake Oneida. As we had let the fast boats out of the lock ahead of us we had a quiet trip the rest of the way. It is always fun to see the wildlife as we pass. We make little disturbance as we pass, but even so sometimes their sunbathing gets interrupted.
Mallards and turtles sunning
Nerves of steel
We pulled into the Brewerton Marina’s ramp and pulled up on a bank of weeds conveniently there to protect our boat from the concrete pavement.
The weedy ramp at Brewerton Boatyard
Not having any Habitat affiliate here, I had no ride lined up. I had joked to Heather that God would give me a ride. The first fellow I talked to said he would be happy to since he was finished for the day. I was back within an hour to find Heather asleep on the boat cushions.
After checking into the hotel we had reserved last night, we went looking for a restaurant. We sat outside beside the water at the Waterfront restaurant listening to a fellow sing Jim Croce songs. Parked by the dock outside was none other than the Green Burrito.
We have heard several warnings that the eastern end of Lake Oneida can be very rough. Winds are usually from the west so have a long fetch across the 20 mile long lake. So we have decided to drive to the other side of the lake tomorrow and put in where the canal starts up again.
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