Phoenix to Sylvan Beach – August 2, 2013

Made an early start as the weather forecast was not promising for the pm (wind picking up, chance of thunderstorms etc.).

Spotted this guy as we pulled out, first one I have seen up here, surprising really in such an under populated region.

 Out past the local canal maintenance operation, the sign says Syracuse but that is a way from here

Then into Three Rivers.

Look left, that’s the Oneida River (becomes the Erie Canal – Eastbound)

 Look right, that’s the Seneca River (becomes the Erie Canal – Westbound)

Look back, that’s the Oswego River we just came up there.

 So we swing left into the Eastbound Erie Canal system and up comes Lock 23 (numbered from Troy way to the East)

Through the lock we get a better view of the guard gate, this is lowered in case of heavy rain to divert water into the old river bed and protect the lock.

Past a marina that reasoned sinking an old barge or two would make a nice breakwater, thirty years later they are something of a fire hazard.

 Into some nice rural country,

but just a hint of what is to come, a few trees starting to have fall colour.

This does not look like much, it’s the Interstate 81 bridge at Oneida Lake, I’ve driven over it many times on my way up to Canada, this is my first time under.

Leads us quickly out onto Lake Oneida, biggish, Twenty five miles E-W and five miles wide, our objective is at the very far eastern end.

Not the bump on the horizon right off the bow, that’s a shoal, which marks about the halfway point

 Here’s looking back.

Now we’re getting closer, about five miles out, we can see the lighthouse

 A nice smooth crossing, light winds and no sign of rain, yet. We are tied up on the wall at Sylvan Beach (lovely name for a town) pointing back West where the weather is coming from.

 Tomorrow through Utica to Herkimer (I do not make these names up), with luck.

Author: Low Wattage

Expat Welshman, educated (somewhat) in UK, left before it became fashionable to do so. Now a U.S. Citizen, and recent widower, playing with retirement and house remodeling, living in Delaware and rural Maryland (weekends). View all posts by Low Wattage