Holding Pattern

 

The 4th of July holiday has filled the marinas around Oneida Lake, which is coming up on our next day of travel. As a result, we had to stay in Ilion and wait it out. Luckily, Kathleen and Steve arrived, and some new friends from New Hampshire, Dan and Chip. They have only been cruising for two weeks!

There is a great Italian restaurant in Ilion called Sorrento's. it was walking distance from the marina.

 More people arrived, new friends, Larry and Bev, who have lived all over the world on a sailboat and are in their 80's; and finally, our old friends Scott and Brenda, who arrived in a pouring rainstorm!

Here they come!

 Brenda let us know that Scott's birthday was close, so we got the dock hand, Colby, to play Happy Birthday on the bagpipes as they were coming in.

Click here to see and hear it: Scott's Bagpipe Serenade

They had a crazy experience in Lock 18, the last one. The storm whipped up 25 mph winds, and ripped the ropes out of Brenda's hands. The boat went sailing across the lock and mashed into the other side. Luckily the only damage was to Brenda's sail board and her nerves.

That's Brenda waving. She doesn't look as traumatized since Kathleen made her a gin and tonic.

Then on Saturday, Scott's birthday, we had a barbeque for him.

Scott opens his present.

Stuart did all the barbequing.

Lots of boat talk.

We had a chocolate cake, ice cream and champagne.

The storms are over, the wind is dying down, and the marina on the other side of the lake says they have room. Chip and Dan left this morning, we will leave Monday the 4th.
 Four more locks, then Oneida Lake.