Like we experience the invasion of the French Navy's motorized division in the islands, the wind driven group shows up here. It is absolutely astounding to sit here and watch the unending parade of Bennetaus with an occasional Janneau thrown in.
Some things are universal. A couple of nights ago. we were in a very close moorage. The French sailboat beside us had his mast down which made him even more of a hazard. In the middle of the night Grace awoke to find his mast antenna sticking into our cockpit. After several attempts to shove him away he finally woke up. The subsequent conversation went something like this:
French Guy: "Allo?"
Grace: "We are very.close together."
French Guy: "Yes, ze moorings are very tight."
Grace: "There's no wind, so we are all in different directions."
French Guy: "Yes, we need some wind."
At which point he disappeared below and promptly went back to sleep.
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Trouble in Paradise
Tues 7/31: We were going to be on our way north by now. but Avatar's engine gremlin has returned. On the way to Valcour it shut down and we couldn't. get it started for 30 minutes.
We took it to the local Tartan dealer yesterday. He said it looked like we had done Tartan's suggested fuel tank vent line reroute correctly.
Because of the low water levels the local repair shops are swamped replacing props and stern drives. We found a Volvo Penta guy 10 miles south of here, but he can't look at it until Thursday. Not necessarily a totally bad thing as it blew a steady 15-20 k last night, and neither of us slept very well.
We took it to the local Tartan dealer yesterday. He said it looked like we had done Tartan's suggested fuel tank vent line reroute correctly.
Because of the low water levels the local repair shops are swamped replacing props and stern drives. We found a Volvo Penta guy 10 miles south of here, but he can't look at it until Thursday. Not necessarily a totally bad thing as it blew a steady 15-20 k last night, and neither of us slept very well.
Sunday, July 29, 2012
More piocs (finally)
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| Burlington Boathouse |
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| Avatar at Burlington Boathouse |
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| Burlington Bike Path |
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| Prettiest bike path I've ever been on. |
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| Shelburne Bay anchorage |
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| Burlington Bay mooring field |
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| Another storm |
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| Essex NY |
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| Lots of old houses. |
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| Tight berthing quarters |
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| A happy Mom. Dinner at the Essex Inn. |
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| Sunrise in Essex. Believe me, Colin and I were asleep. |
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| Valcour Island anchorage. |
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| Like we said, 1000 Islands, only bigger. I think this is what Georgian Bay must be like. |
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| This ain't no Phoenix. |
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| Valcour campsite |
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| Essex ferry to Burlington |
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| Isn't modern technology wonderful? |
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| Red Rocks Park, Shelburne Bay |
Saturday, July 28, 2012
Exploring Champlain
No, We did not get eaten by Champ, the lake monster. We just have been having way too much fun. Here is the text version of our past ten days. Will post the Pics version tomorrow.
Wed July 18 & Thurs July 19: Hanging on the mooring at night...sailing during the day & early evening...Very nice!
Fri July 20: Moved to a reserved dock at Burlington Community Boathouse...right next to the dockside restaurant "Splash". Ready for the Owego crowd. Had "Dotty made" spiedies & Owego corn on the cob (best corn we've had this season, Mike).
Sat July 21: Biking adventure on shoreline bike trail. Amazing views! Grace & Paul made it to as far as they could go...20 miles...out on the causeway the trail was closed (washed out from last years flooding). American Flatbread Pizza & local beer to finish the night.
Sun 7/22: Took the group sailing & then swimming in Shelburn Bay. Perfect sailing. Anchored for a swim. Dinner at Ice House. Definitely need to go there again.
Mon. 7/23: Bid goodbye to the Owego contingent. Went to do.laundry and got a call from the BoAthouse. "hey, why are you still in your slip? Big clusterf$&@k. "Sorry Mr D. We effed up, Can you move your boat? They did find another spot, but we found an open mooring instead in time for the next stormy light show. Most storms seem to miss us to the south, but Very vivid storms here when they hit. Borrowed Colin's truck to grocery shop for our mini adventure. Colin has from noon on Tues till 3 on Fri off.
Tues 7/24: Screaming sail from Burlington to Essex. Broad reach, 10-20 knots. 8 knot boat speed. 2-4 following sea, Hall of fame sail. NY. Very tight but protected overnight in Essex Shipyard as the wind howled all night. Just made it into a dock with help and only way out was 3 guys holding our bow as we backed out of the harbor. Very quaint town with old 1800's stone buildings. Outstanding meal at the Essex Inn.
Wed 7/25: milled around & had lunch in town while giving the lake a chance to calm a bit and part motor & part sailed to a BIG protected anchorage at Valcour Island which is a NY park island. Looks very much like a Thousand Island only much bigger. 7 different anchorages to choose from depending on the weather all around the island. Everyone was huddled in 2 anchorages on west side prepared for coming weather. 43 boats anchored with us and room for more. Excellent holding. Got there in time to haul Grace up the mast to install the second ordered LED anchor bulb...this one works! Used Honda generator for first time.
Thurs 7/26: Big breakfast on the boat while we wait for the rain to stop and then explored some of the many trails and beaches. For those of you familiar...the beaches were what Leek Island beaches used to be. Soft sandy bottom with no zebra mussels. Also took a dingy trip around the island.
Fri 7/27: Another fabulous sail back to Burlington but this time no moorings open so we spent an overnight anchored in the southwest corner of the harbor with 18 other boats. Very busy time here.
Sat 7/28: Snatched a mooring. Day of rest for us & back in Wi-Fi land so we could catch download pics & catch up on our Blogging.
Wed July 18 & Thurs July 19: Hanging on the mooring at night...sailing during the day & early evening...Very nice!
Fri July 20: Moved to a reserved dock at Burlington Community Boathouse...right next to the dockside restaurant "Splash". Ready for the Owego crowd. Had "Dotty made" spiedies & Owego corn on the cob (best corn we've had this season, Mike).
Sat July 21: Biking adventure on shoreline bike trail. Amazing views! Grace & Paul made it to as far as they could go...20 miles...out on the causeway the trail was closed (washed out from last years flooding). American Flatbread Pizza & local beer to finish the night.
Sun 7/22: Took the group sailing & then swimming in Shelburn Bay. Perfect sailing. Anchored for a swim. Dinner at Ice House. Definitely need to go there again.
Mon. 7/23: Bid goodbye to the Owego contingent. Went to do.laundry and got a call from the BoAthouse. "hey, why are you still in your slip? Big clusterf$&@k. "Sorry Mr D. We effed up, Can you move your boat? They did find another spot, but we found an open mooring instead in time for the next stormy light show. Most storms seem to miss us to the south, but Very vivid storms here when they hit. Borrowed Colin's truck to grocery shop for our mini adventure. Colin has from noon on Tues till 3 on Fri off.
Tues 7/24: Screaming sail from Burlington to Essex. Broad reach, 10-20 knots. 8 knot boat speed. 2-4 following sea, Hall of fame sail. NY. Very tight but protected overnight in Essex Shipyard as the wind howled all night. Just made it into a dock with help and only way out was 3 guys holding our bow as we backed out of the harbor. Very quaint town with old 1800's stone buildings. Outstanding meal at the Essex Inn.
Wed 7/25: milled around & had lunch in town while giving the lake a chance to calm a bit and part motor & part sailed to a BIG protected anchorage at Valcour Island which is a NY park island. Looks very much like a Thousand Island only much bigger. 7 different anchorages to choose from depending on the weather all around the island. Everyone was huddled in 2 anchorages on west side prepared for coming weather. 43 boats anchored with us and room for more. Excellent holding. Got there in time to haul Grace up the mast to install the second ordered LED anchor bulb...this one works! Used Honda generator for first time.
Thurs 7/26: Big breakfast on the boat while we wait for the rain to stop and then explored some of the many trails and beaches. For those of you familiar...the beaches were what Leek Island beaches used to be. Soft sandy bottom with no zebra mussels. Also took a dingy trip around the island.
Fri 7/27: Another fabulous sail back to Burlington but this time no moorings open so we spent an overnight anchored in the southwest corner of the harbor with 18 other boats. Very busy time here.
Sat 7/28: Snatched a mooring. Day of rest for us & back in Wi-Fi land so we could catch download pics & catch up on our Blogging.
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
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