Erie, PA: not Erie, OH

June 15, 2017:  REST DAY  –  NO TRAVEL – NEW TRIP PLANNING

So, I am afraid to admit this, but I did not know or remember that Pennsylvania had water on Lake Erie.  All this time, I thought I was in Ohio!  Wrong!!  So, here I am in Erie, Pennsylvania.  I knew there was an Erie, PA but I thought there must be an Erie, OH as well.  I am so embarrassed. That explains why Ann and I had trouble getting Erie, OH weather reports!  And why everyone has PA license plates on their vehicles.

I needed this day of rest and it has given me a little more clarity about my trip planning and goals.

What I mean by that is that yesterday,  I put in 9 hours on the water to go 90 miles.  It was no fun and I was in no shape to make good decisions the last few hours of the day.

So, rather than set mileage goals for each day, I am now going to start setting “time on the water” goals.  My new plan will be to travel 6 hours a day and find safe harbor wherever that may be.  In flat water, I can still go around 100 miles a day.  In water like I was in yesterday, I would have probably gone around 50 miles.

That should keep me from making poor decisions in bad sea conditions! Yesterday was a wake up call.  If I were not so tired, I think I would have been able to avoid that wave that got Journey and I.

Now, on with today.  Took everything out the boat to dry.  Everything was wet!  put it back.

Took Uber to the local YMCA and played Pickleball in Erie, PA.  I didn’t even have that state on my list.  It was great to play again! An extra state to add to my list.  I did not achieve my goal for Pickleball in every state.  I missed Tennessee and Virginia.  I could not find a match close enough to my water based location. The only state left is Ohio and I hope that Cleveland will provide that opportunity.

While at the YMCA, I noticed a Panera down the street and a grocery store nearby. So, after my Pickleball fix, I had lunch at Panera’s and then stopped at the grocery store to restock Journey with drinks and snacks to have along the way. Then returned with bags of stuff using Uber again.

I also took the opportunity to have someone fix a developing problem with Journey.  The lever (throttle) that puts the motor in gear and regulates the speed was coming loose off of its mount and I could not figure out how to tighten it.  I asked to Marina to take a look at it, and after a few hours of research and a drive to the local Honda dealer, they were able to tighten it back as it should be.

All in all, a very good day and it brings a new perspective for my last few weeks on the water.

Dinghy Dave;  Rested in Erie, PA signing off.

 

 

Lake Erie is a Handful (Wilson gets a bath)

June 14, 2017:  Tonawanda, NY to Erie, Ohio–96 Miles today, 4,560 Trip Miles to Date

This is a photo of Journey meeting the Niagara River on our way to Lake Erie early this morning.

Got up about 5:30 am and got myself together and got a cab back to the marina where Journey was waiting.

In reading my guides, I found that they recommend that you take the “Black Rock Canal” into Lake Erie.  River currents can run 6 to 8 knots out on the Niagara River and the larger boats would have difficulty keeping steerage with a current that strong. This alternative includes a lock that you have to go through.

So, I push off the dock at around 6:30 to get to the lock at 7am just like I have done with all the Erie Canal Locks.  I got there right on my schedule.  Unfortunately, my schedule was not their schedule.  This lock is not part or the Erie Canal system and they do not open until 8am.  What to do?

I was watching a few of the local fisherman go flying down the Niagara river toward Lake Erie so I weighed waiting a hour or going with the locals.  I didn’t have to think long and decided to go with the locals and onto the Niagara River.  My guide was right in that I would not want to be in this water in a big boat.  It was enough of a challenge for me with currents throwing me every which direction.  After a few minutes of  exciting maneuvering, I was past the hard part and enjoying the ride and the water.

My weather report told me that it would be sunny with 1 foot seas.  And it was that way for probably a couple of hours.  That was enough to get close to the southern shore of the Lake and then head west.  Then the 1 footers became two, and then the 2 footers became 3 to 4 and they were very short and most challenging to manage.  I found myself working very hard for what seemed hours and hours.  Actually, it was hours and hours!

For the first time on my trip, I started to think about calling it  day and heading in to safe harbor somewhere.  I was getting beat up pretty good today.

Watching waves endlessly can mesmerize you which is a bad thing.  You have to be prepared to react in a moments notice.  I called Ann every hour and we talked for just a minute or two.  I needed a break and what better way than to talk to your sweetheart to uplift your situation.

Just after talking with Ann,  it happened!   For the first time on my journey (some 4,500 plus miles), I took a rogue wave that put 6 to 8 inches of water in what I call the tub (the inside of the boat).

A complete surprise!  Quick,  where is my bailing bucket? got it.  Ten minutes later, I had the tub dry.  That was  a very scary moment for me because I had never taken water over the bow that completely soaked me and Journey.  Fortunately, I had all of my technology devices in waterproof containers. As an aside, Wilson found himself floating in the tub along with many other items not nailed down!  He needed a bath anyway!!

At this time, I had gone 60 miles and had another 30 to go.  I just kept going and the last 30 miles were the longest of my trip so far.

Finally got into safe harbor at Erie, OH and staying at hotel here for two days.  I need the break and the weather is not looking good!

Spent rest of afternoon taking everything out of the boat to dry. Everything was wet!  What an ordeal!

Thats todays story and I am tired and frankly,  a little rattled by that experience.

The weather service really got this day wrong and I paid for its.

Time to think about my next move, whatever that is.  For sure, tomorrow is a -non-travel day.  Maybe I can find a Pickleball game somewhere.

Dinghy Dave signing off; wet, tired, and did I say, a little rattled!!

 

 

 

 

The Erie Canal is “History”

June 13, 2017: 86 Miles Today (Pittsford to Tonawanda, NY)  4,465 Miles

Wow, the Erie Canal is now in my rear view mirror!  I had some incredible sights and challenges along the way.

Eight days (two no travel due to high water lock closures, 35 locks, countless bridges, and 338 miles later, here I am at Tonawanda, NY.

The landscape was definitely different today. Much of it was more akin to the old real canal.  It was straight and more narrow than previous days.  Also, much of the time, I felt like I was on a log flume ride looking down rather than up.  There were many roofs that were below the canal and even one road went under it!

Then, there were the lift bridges. Every small town had one that crossed over the river.  Every bridge was the same as the last.  It only took a minute or two to raise the bridge for boat traffic.  In fact, several towns collaborate and share a “bridge master” who goes from bridge to bridge in their car before you can get to them by boat.  They know how long it should take you and time their arrival based on that knowledge.

I would not want to be in those flood plains should the canal breach.  They have many guards in place to help mitigate the impact of such an event, but we know mother nature can have a mind of her own.

For the record, I did find a Starbucks at Pittsford.  Just a little walk from the boat and the library!

So, less that a quarter mile from me is the Niagara River. If I turn right, I would make history and not be around to enjoy it.  Niagara Falls would make sure of that.

I will definitely lean “Left” at the “T” and head another 10 miles or so to the entrance to Lake Erie and another adventure awaits me.  I have to admit and I prefer the river travel over open water, but that is pretty much behind me now.  I knew that when I signed up for this trip!

Today was my longest day yet and I am tired and ready to get some rest before the Great Lakes and all of her challenges.

Thanks for following this silly, challenging, but rewarding “Journey”.

More to come!

 

 

 

 

Great Day on the Erie Canal

June 12, 2017:  Baldwinsville, NY to Pittsford, NY  81 Miles today, 4,383 Miles to date

So, this was a big day; I have now traveled more miles up than I did going down.  It was 2,156 miles to Fort Myers Beach from Spring Lake, MI.  Today, my trip ending mileage of 4,383 put me over that mileage going downhill. Wow, this is becoming a surreal experience for me.  That means about 1,200 to go!  Yea!  Piece of Cake (Great Lakes, please be nice to be)

Pretty good day on the water today; I did not share the locks with anyone and there were very few boats on the water.  Sunny, hot with a cool breeze.  Could not ask for better weather.

There are a couple of pictures I want to share that may not seem relevant, but its my blog  and they are relevant to me.

First, I am docked across from a repurposed grain silo facility!  Takes me back to my days working with the Michigan Department of Agriculture. Check this out Jeff.

Who would have thought this would someday be an office building?  Pretty insane!

Ann, Now this is a library!!  I know you have probably read all the books here but they just might have one or two that you haven’t! Perhaps a trip back here is in our future.

Great Picture of Journey (can you find her?)  Also Pittsford Public Library!

So, I got lucky and found this gem of a town right on the Erie Canal and a B&B to boot that is a one minute walk from Journey.

So, an uneventful day on the river. Yea!

Here is part of the Montezuma Aqueduct where the canal of 1862 crossed the Seneca River.  Very unusual.

Here is one of the canal boats that ply these waters.  Perhaps a charter  in our future?

These old locks are showing their age!  Very bad shape!

I should make it to the end of the Erie Canal tomorrow (338 miles from one end to the other).  That should put me on Lake Erie Wednesday, weather permitting.  Crossing my fingers for calm seas for the next two weeks. Time will tell!

Anyone from Ohio close to Lake Erie want to play some pickleball?  Please contact me soon with information.  Would love go check Ohio off as a state I played PB in while on the loop. Cleveland, perhaps?

Thats it for tonight.  It has been and continues to be a great ride (bumpy for sure).

 

Finally, a good day on the Water!

June 11, 2017:  Utica, NY to Baldwinsville,NY–73 Miles Today, 4,304 Trip miles to date.

The morning began with me getting out of a real bed.  Wow, that felt good.  I will have to try that again real soon.

Got to the lock (Lock #20) right at 7 am and all by myself.  The Lockmaster told me it would be a 10 minute wait while he prepared the lock.  No problem!  About 20 minutes goes by and he calls me on the radio and say he is having a problem with one of the valves.  I thought, this can’t be happening!  Another day of issues and problems.

Just after thinking those negative thoughts, the gates of heaven opened and Journey and I  sauntered into the big bathtub and we were alone and on our way!

So, after that scare, we got underway and a more normal day rolled out in front of us.  From the Lock, it was a mere 18 miles to the next one and only 1 mile to the last one before entering Lake Oneida. Journey was hungry so I stopped at a marina and filled her up.  They asked me how well she handed rough water?  I responded that she loves it.  They then told me that it was pretty choppy out there and I might want to consider staying over a day.  I thanked them for the information and went on my way.

Well, Journey and I have seen a lot of water and I feel pretty comfortable reading  the water at this point.  It was choppy, with 2 to 3 foot seas with the wind coming right at me.    I poked my nose out into the lake.  At that point, Journey and I had a discussion (along with Wilson) about what to do.  My contribution to the discussion was “its only 30 miles and we have been in much bigger stuff than this!”  Journey likes big water so the vote was 2 against one (Wilson abstained).  So, away we went.  The lake is much longer that wide so you can see shore all the time, which provides you with a false sense of security It was windy and we did have a rocky road.  We probably cruised at 9 mph with an occasional bump up to 12 or 13.  So, after 2+ hours, we were on the other side looking back.  I think this 30 mile trip will be similar to my time on the Great Lakes, multiplied by days.

Once across, boats and boaters starting showing up everywhere. I can now tell a weekend not by a calendar, but by the number of boats on the water.  They were everywhere.  At one time, I shared a lock with a really big boat (such a contrast for Journey) and another Lord Nelson Victory Tug.  See photos and I’m sure you will agree.

A little further down the way, you come to a “T”.  Go right and you go through the Oswego Canal and wind up on Lake Ontario. Go left and you continue west 192 miles to Buffalo where you pick up Lake Erie.  All the big boats have to turn right because of height restrictions on the Western section of the Erie Canal.  That big boat I shared the Lock with turned right (North) just like a figured they would.

So, we made a more respectable 73 miles today, and ended up in a cute little town called Baldwinsville, NY.  Found a free floating dock and a quaint hotel within 300 feet.  I had not counted on that, and I am now in a hotel room with another bed for the night.  What a deal. Restaurants nearby and I can see the Lock outside my window.  What more could I ask for?  If Ann were here, all would be good!!

The Hotel “The Red Mill Inn” is at the right and the lock exit is just to the right. Journey is at the floating dock at the left!

Tomorrow will be a sort of anniversary for me. I finished my first leg of this Journey on September 17 of last year.  during that time, I went 2,156 miles!  Tomorrow, I will have doubled that mileage!  Now, thats getting up there. It is hard for me to wrap my head around all that I have seen and done and I can’t wait to get into the Great Lakes.  To me, that implies the “Homestretch“.

I don’t know what tomorrow will bring, but I do know it will be different than all the others.

All in all, a good day on the water!

 

 

 

The Erie is throwing everything at me!

June 10, 2017:  Lock 13 to Utica, NY  46 Mile Day, About 4.250 Trip to Date Miles.

Well, another twist to my otherwise “normal” life on the water. On the water at 7am sharp.  Got to Lock 17 which is the one that had been closed due to high water.  This has a 40 lift and the most of all the Erie Canal Locks.  This is the only lock that you enter with the gate above you as you enter (photo at left).  Also note the photo at the right.  That is concrete at the bottom of the lock.  Kind of eerie (excuse the pun).

About 15 miles from my destination, I lost my battle not hitting something in the water. Bam, I felt the direct hit.  Still don’t know what it was, but it was not small.  Afterward, started to feel a small vibration at higher speeds. Yuck!

So, my pride and I limped into Utica (my intended destination as it has warm bed (hotels) to choose from.  So I stopped at the Utica Historical Marina (lower level is a restaurant). Arranged for dockage and then went out to assess the damage.  Motor up!  not as bad as I thought, but one blade did have a little bend which was probably enough to send a vibration.  So, I did have the foresight to carry a spare prop and I proceeded to change it.  Problem; the nut that holds it on won’t budge!  Back to the Marina/Restaurant to plead for help, assistance, betters tools, whatever I could get.  Steve (Marina/Restaurant Handyman) to the rescue.  He went to a nearby local automotive store and borrowed a substantial socket set with a long bar for leverage.  One turn and the nut was off and a minute later the new prop installed.  He even gave me a ride to the hotel.  Now that is service.  I can see that I need to carry a better system for changing the prop, heaven forbid that it ever happen again.

That darn canal is giving me everything I can handle.  Will be glad when the water table is back to normal and I won’t have to play dodgeball with all the debris.  Reminds me of my time on the Mississippi!

So, thats my story for today!  I am tired and will hit the bed early tonight. At least it is a bed.

New day, new story tomorrow.

A Non-Typical Day on the Water

June 9, 2017:  Estimated 45 miles today, Trip Miles to date, 4,100+

I will try to get all this in, but it has been quite a day for me and Journey.

Left Schenectady Yacht Club around 10:30 this morning.  About 7 miles to the lock (E-8) that was going to open at 1pm.  I was anxious and just wanted to be on the water so really took my time getting this.  They were prompt and right on schedule.

So, off to the races with full lock chambers (many boats)  most of the day.  It was supposed to rain today, but never did.  I kept my canvas on the boat because of the predicted rain.  That gave me quite a sail all day and the wind kept building all day.

So, I was in the lock holding on to my little rope like I usually do and either the wind or the current took the boat to a 90 degree angle off the lock wall.  This is not a good thing.  As I am trying to get the boat under control the engine stops.  Now  I have lost complete control and the boat is floating powerless in the lock with a big catamaran coming into the lock behind me.

What to do?  Immediately got on the radio and informed the lockmaster of my situation.  They were on top of it and threw me a line and brought me back to the lock wall and tied me off.  The catamaran was able to back off and wait for the event to end.

My belief was that when the boat turned on that 90 degree angle, the motor caught one of the lines that were hanging down from the lock for everyone to grab onto.  Well, after everyone left I lifted the motor to see it was one of my own lines wrapped around the prop.  How embarrassing is that!

The good news is that within two minutes the lockmaster had me free of the line and I was on my way.  How lucky!  No damage and I did not loose any time.

Now fast forward to My favorite number (13) as both of my children were born on the 13 th of the month.  I get to the lock and there is one other boater (another fairly small boat) tied up on the wall  I get closer and find out that the lock was closed for the night.  The guide I had said they were open to 6, but it was 5:15 and no one around,

So, we are making the best of it and I sit on the boat typing this post. It will be a bunch night on the boat.  I could go up on land, but the wall is about 7 feet tall and I would have to climb the ladder with all my gear and I just don’t want to take any more risks with my Gout and all.

I am going to end this here as I am getting seasick trying to type this going up and down.

You can catch some this on my Facebook page as I did a video once I got here.

The people in the other boat invited me over for dinner (Kibasa, Potatoes, and Beer) and it did hit the spot.

No pictures tonight but will have some tomorrow for sure.

Good night everyone.  O ‘What a Day!!

Again, another Down Day

June 8, 2017:  Locks closed-camping at Schenectady Yacht Club tonight. I am about 5 miles below lock 8 with an increasing entourage of boats (all bigger).  Thats a given!

Well, another interesting day on the Erie Canal.  Due to the amount of rain they have had in the last week, Locks were closed again today!  Is someone mad at me?  Did I do something wrong?

Most locks will be open (tentatively) tomorrow at 1pm and there will be a parade of boats in the procession! I hope I can get out ahead of all the wakes or I will be dealing with it all day.  Notice I said “most locks”.  Something is going on at Lock 17 and it is not yet scheduled to be open tomorrow.  That might be as far as I can go.  That is about 66 miles and with the locks, that just may be a full day.  Perhaps it will be open the next day.

So I check out of my fancy hotel at noon and got a ride back to the Marina.  Yesterday and today in particular, my right foot began to bother me.  Then it started to swell up!  Someone is really mad at me!  I decided to have it looked at, partially because I had time on my hands today and it seemed to be getting worse.  So off to Urgent Care (for those keeping track, this is my third time to an Urgent Care facility since leaving Fort Myers Beach.  I could not remember hitting it playing Pickleball or any other event that would cause it to swell like a balloon.  I should have known!  I have had Gout all my life, but it has been years since I have had an attack.  Apparently, so many that I did not remember the symptoms.  Oh well, as soon as they said the four letters G-O-U-T, it was obvious!

I had eaten a little too much shellfish coming up the coast and it caught up with me.  Bummer!  Another lesson for me!! I can’t get away with anything!!

So, tonight (for the first time on this leg) I am in my tent under a picnic pavilion in case it rains.  The downside is the concrete floor but the tradeoff is worth it.  Nice dry tent to put away in the morning.

Heated up  some Dinty Moore Stew for dinner.  Jim, I made a little extra just for you!

This is home for tonight.  Who knows what tomorrow will bring?

Shot blog tonight. I am in the tent on my elbows pounding this out in a very uncomfortable position with bad foot to boot.  The good news is that I was pronounced Scabies free by the Doc!

Hopefully, my next post will be at a different location!

See ya later!

 

 

 

 

 

Another Down Day!

June 7, 2017 (Wednesday): Another Down Day  in Schenectady, NY–(Locks Closed due to high water)

Well, there is nothing new to report other than chores done and paid good money for a bad movie! Oh, There is one new thing to report:  The locks are also closed tomorrow so will be spinning my wheels again.  At least the weather is starting to cooperate and it is supposed to be nice for the foreseeable future. I am at the end of my rope; literally, I am at my rope at one of the locks!!

 

So, I thought I would take a minute or two and provide some history and perspective on the Erie Canal.

In the early 1800’s, New York began to construct a number of canals, of which the Erie is but one.  The Erie Canal construction began in 1817 and opened to traffic in 1825.  New York is celebrating its bicentennial this year and all fees have been waived for those using the canal.

The Erie Canal is over 340 miles long and was originally only 4 feet deep.  It was enlarged in 1862 to carry larger loads.

There are 35 locks (if you count the Federal lock in Troy).  I am currently just below Lock #8 waiting for them to open again.  Troy is at sea level.  When I get to Buffalo, I will have gone up a whopping  565 feet!  I will have travelled under 200 highway and railroad bridges.  I believe Journey is small enough to get under them as they have a controlled height of 20 feet and I only need Seven feet or so to sneak under them.

They say you have to allow a week to make it from the West to the East side of the canal.

Time will certainly tell.

So, thats the history lesson for tonight!

I’ve had one request to do a live Lock Transit so you can really see it from the beginning to end. I will try to do that but do not have a time table and will certainly need a strong cell connection for it to happen.

You will always be able to watch the video afterwords.

Dinghy Dave Signing Off

 

The Longest and Shortest Day

June 6, 2017:  Albany, NY to Schenectady, NY  38 miles today:  4,156 miles trip to date

Got up at my usual 5am this morning and took a taxi to Journey some 5 miles away.  Got underway around 6:30.  Locks don’t open until 7:00 am so I was in no hurry to get underway.  I cruised with my Sunbrella covers on today.  Rather than me putting on my rain gear and watching everything else get soaked in the boat, this is much, much more bearable for me.  No wind on me means I stay pretty warm.  It was around 55 degrees all day and cooler in the morning.  I just have to stand and look through my little opening at the top.  I do travel slower with this approach, but the locks are slow travel anyway.

It was 10 miles or so to the Troy Federal Lock and Dam. This is the first lock that a boater approaches when traveling northbound on the Hudson River. I was surprised that it was only 45 feet wide.  It lifted Journey 14 feet.

Then onto Waterford, considered to be the starting point for the Erie Canal.  I stopped and registered at the visitor center.  Normally, this is where one would pay for their pass to use the system.  However, this is the 200 year anniversary of the Erie Canal and it is free to all using it this season.  Very cool.  I was given a good booklet on the canal with all the do’s and don’ts.  Before I left, I took this picture of the lock (from land).

There were a number of other loopers hanging out at the center.  It was a dreary and rainy day here at Waterford and everyone (except me) decided to stay put.  Do they know something that I don’t?

A few people came over and told me that they had been watching for me as they had heard about my trip from other loopers that I have passed by.  It is always fun to talk with them as they shake their head in disbelief when they see the size of Journey.

My mantra is now becoming, “should I stay or should I go?”

I quickly learned that “do to high water” lock 8 was closed and nobody could go beyond that lock until it reopens.  When might that be?

It was early in the day. I got my iPad out and started to weigh my options.  I was anxious to be on the Erie Canal and I found a yacht club just below Lock 8 where I could dock Journey and wait it out.  So, rather than be in a flotilla of many boats, I struck out on my own and left my new looper friends back at Waterford. Waterford is a quaint historical town with lots of shops and restaurants to choose from.  Would my target location even have a place for me to sleep?  I said to myself that it did not matter.  I will just sleep on the boat if needed.

So, a quick VHF radio call to the LockMaster and that was it.  I set the wheels in motion.  Ten minutes later, the lock magically opened just for little ole me.  Now 45 feet wide is not very wide, but Journey is only 6 feed wide, so we did look like we did not belong.  Interestingly, the original locks were only 15 feet wide!! Imagine that!  They were originally designed for a canal boat 61 feet long and 7 feet wide.

How times have changed!

Back to todays story.  The first five locks are so close to each other that the same people run all of them.  Once you go through one, they move to the next one, etc,

Then lock 6 and 7 are each about 10 miles away from each other so these are run by different people.

It rained pretty much all day and this was a long day. Usually off the water by noon with a hundred or more miles under.  Not to be on the Erie Canal.  Today was a 38 mile day.  I think I got off the river and into a hotel room at around 5pm.  Not my typical day.

So, I am now in Schenectady, NY.  Pulled into the Schenectady Yacht Club and was greeted by this great guy, Ed.  Really nice, and having played Pickleball, knew exactly what it was.

Then others showed up in disbelief.  One little girl (about 7 or 8) absolutely told me that I could not have done it my little boat!!.  She was emphatic in her response.  Now, everywhere I stop, people are coming over to see with their own eyes.  They had heard about me somewhere along the way.

It was here that I learned that not only is lock 8 closed, but all the way to lock 20!!

I was not surprised with all the rain and the Dam at lock 7 was just pouring water out.

Well, the good news is that I am very near Lock 8 on the Erie Canal and some of you even saw my live feed and shared this experience with me this morning.  The bad news is that they are currently saying the locks won’t re open until Thursday!  I guess I need some downtime and it comes just when I need it.  I might even be able to get a haircut, catch up on laundry, and get some other housekeeping chores done.

What a ride.  Everyday is different and I love being able to share live moments with Ann and many of you.

Don’t expect much from tomorrows post as I sit still here in a town whose name is impossible to spell (Schenectady). As an aside, it is a beautiful town with lots to see and do.  My decision to move forward was a good one (in my mind)

So thats todays story.

Dinghy Dave Here!!

 

Albany, New York

June 5, 2017:  Cold Spring (West Point), NY to Albany, NY— 94 miles today—4,118 Total Trip Miles to Date

This was supposed to be a rainy day in this area.  When I left this morning, I decided to try and make the day with the canvas down on Journey.  Wow!, I wish I had done that earlier.  It was warm (no wind blowing on me in the early morning hours) and dry for the entire day.  While it did not rain much, it was great to have everything dry.  I did stand more to get a better view when needed.  I also kept the starboard (right) curtain open so I could stick my head out to see when needed.

I did this one time to many and today, after 4,000 miles wearing my “Journey” hat, it was sacrificed to the water gods.  The wind caught it and by the time I could turn the boat around, it was too late.  I have a few extras, but that was going to be the hat that made the entire trip with me. Also lost one cushion somewhere along the way. Its a right of passage and we must feed the “hungry and obviously angry  water gods”.

I forgot to mention something when I was near the New York harbor.  When leaving Sandy Hook to go to Long Island, I had to go across the harbor entrance. That morning, I was playing some Irish Music from Blackthorn, my favorite Irish Band.  I usually do a scramble of their albums and of all their songs, the song playing was Paddy’s Green Shamrock Shore.

.

It is about Immigrants coming from Ireland and coming to New York.   Wow, spooky.  Now, I am not making this up.  Two days later, I am entering New York Harbor and playing Eagles music.  You won’t believe the song that came up.  It was “In a New York minute.”

I swear this happened to me.  Can’t explain it, but it did happen at the most opportune times.

Now, on with today.  So had a great day on the water in spite of the forecast.  Journey ran great, even with her canvas down.  It worked so good, I will probably run that way on other off weather days, even if not raining.  It has been cold at 6am when I usually leave the dock and having the canvas/isenglass down cuts down on the wind.

Got into Albany and a pickleball ambassador Peter Sullivan and his wife Marjorie drove all the way from Boston to play pickleball with me and hear my story first hand.  They picked me up at the dock, took me out to lunch and went to a state park in the area before heading out to play Pickleball at a private school, Emma Willard School (a very old prep school for girls).  The campus was old and beautiful.  We had a great time playing pickleball for a few hours.

My sincere thanks to Peter and Marjorie for coming and making my day more special than it already was! Great Pickleball with Great People!

Erie Canal coming up.

 

Oh, What a Day!

June 4, 2017: Merritt, NY to Cold Spring, NY  95 Miles Today, 4,026 Trip To Date Miles

This was an incredible moment for me today.  Not sure why, but I think because it represents a significant event that I have been thinking of since I started my trip over 4,000 miles ago. It was also great to share it via live streaming with many of you.  I know it was not the best, but it definitely was LIVE!

Here is a picture of West Point, 40 miles beyond the Statue of Liberty.  This looks formidable and impenetrable.  Very Interesting to pass this campus.  I am currently staying just across the river about a mile away.

Wilson Meets New York

So the fair weather gods were with me today, but tomorrow is another day.  It looks like rain off and on and I am going to try to get to Albany which is about 90 plus miles away.  That means about a 5 hour day on the water at 18 mph.  Doable, but the weather will dictate what I do and how fast I do it.

I am staying at a historic old hotel called the Hudson House in Cold Spring.  Very quaint, but a little short on todays standards.  I know a turtle that can go faster than the internet speed here so I am using our cellular network to post tonights blog.

I think the video I took is on my Facebook page so I you want to see it, just friend me and I will accept your request. I think that is how it works.  I am not a big Face Book user.

When I left this morning, Jones had a care package of goodies for me to take and eat along the way.  Jones, you and Linda are the best.  Thanks for sharing a small part of your world away from Festival Ranch, Arizona.

The Pickleball was great, but it is really just the icing on the cake.  It is the relationships along the way that make this such a satisfying journey!

Another day under my belt, but it was a big one!

Statue of Liberty, Live Streaming coming your way!! (maybe)

June 3, 2017: A non travel day- Staying in Merritt (Long Island) 40 miles from the Statute of Liberty.

Well, yesterday and today was my New York Pickleball fix.  Ambassador Jones Wong even got me into some singles.  It rained this morning so Pickleball Ambassador Jones was quick to find an alternative indoor facility to play in.  So, from 9 to 11, we played some pretty intense Pickleball.

A motley crew 

Afterwards I remembered that I needed to fill up the gas tank on Journey so Jones and I went for a ride to the fuel docks a couple of miles away. In all, the time I have been on the water, I think Jones was the first one to be onboard going with me somewhere except when I left Grand Haven on August 7, 2016.

 

Later in the day, we (Jones and his lovely wife Linda) went for a short hike on a nature preserve very close to their home. In fact, their home is in the background of this photo.  Not a shabby place to hang out and play Pickleball. I think they like each other!!

So, I usually don’t talk about tomorrow until tomorrow, but in this case, I need to make an exception.  The weather forecast for tomorrow morning can’t be much better.  Sun with waves 1′ or under with wind about 5kts.  I know from experience that wind picks up later in the day so if you have been following my blog, you know that I am on the water usually right around 6am.  That means a 5 am wake up call, allowing an hour to pack up, get Journey ready and point her in the right direction.

I am 40 miles from the Statue of Liberty.  Assuming the forecast is correct, I should be around the Statue of Liberty between 8:30 and 9:00 am. If I can, I will be doing a live feed from my Facebook page if everything goes the way it should.  I am not very familiar with live streaming but will do my best given my environmental conditions.  The boat motor may drown out my voice so you may just get a view.  We will see.  I assume that we will have a good Verizon signal from this location.  I may be busy navigating to avoid other boat traffic so may not be able to see or respond to any comments  I guess we will have to wait and see.

Ok, let’s make this happen!

See you on the water tomorrow.  To my Arizona Pickleball Family, sorry about the time issue.  It will be very early in your neck of the woods.

New York, New York

June 2, 2017:  FairHaven, NJ to Merrick, NY  42 Miles Today–3,923 Trip Miles To Date

Easy day today with first view of the New York Skyline.  It was overcast and slightly foggy coming into Sandy Hook the other day so today was a new landscape to see. The water was not quite flat and there was no wind making it a great ride across the entrance to New York’s Harbor,.

So this is what it looks like from a distance.  Merrick is on Long Island so New York will have to wait until Sunday.

Got off the boat today and within a hour, playing singles Pickleball with Ambassador Jones Wong and then later in the evening with a few others.  Went for a walk on Jones Beach which has a great boardwalk with lots to do and see.

Had a little extra time and took out the drone for a few photo ops. Here is Journey at Jones backyard dock. Journey is very happy and content here.

This was a good transition day for me and time to get reacquainted with Jones and Linda.  They also have a place at Festival Ranch, AZ which is where we met a few years back.

So, no great stories to tell tonight or problems to solve.

Tomorrow, what else but more Pickleball and a quite day in this beautiful part of the country.

Another Great Day off the Water

June 1, 2017:  Non Travel Day-Staying at FairHaven, NJ

Wow, how time has flown; tomorrow brings a goodbye to new friends in New Jersey and I can’t say enough about their hospitality.  I believe Ambassador Kim had a secret goal that I play more Pickleball here in New Jersey than any other state I have played in.  She wins that award hands down. I don’t know how many hours I have played, but it has been a bunch in several different venues.

I’ve told Kim that I need to go to New York to rest, but I know the New York ambassador Jones Wong has other plans for me.  The contrast of sitting in a boat all day and then being very, very active leaves me with more aches and pains than I started with.  Kim, thanks for the Alieve.  The pills definitely helped.

This evening, Kim and her husband Dave invited me to go along with them to a fundraiser for a non-profit organization they are involved with.  It is called  “Love Thy Neighbor” and they provide financial resources to people who just need a little help.  They may provide funds to someone who just don’t have the money to make a rent payment or fix a car.  They provide that bridge to assist them in their time of need and personal crisis. A great cause!

I am exposed to so many different things beyond Pickleball and the Great Loop.  Forest Gump was right.”Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re gonna get.”

All in all, a great time in New Jersey and my time here will be one of  my trip highlights that I will remember for years to come.

I Started to get more serious about trip planning and believe I am about 1,600 miles from home.  With some good (and better)  weather, I could be home (cross my wake) by the end of this month.  Wow!  I can’t wrap my head around that thought yet!  Really!

On this type of trip, I believe one is always torn between two compelling thoughts.  Stop and smell the roses, as you will probably only go this way once.  That is a strong compelling thought. The other is you miss your significant other, and lost opportunities to spend time with them and family.

Honestly, I am trying to smell the roses along the way and do so when I stop to play Pickleball and enjoy the company of newly found friends.  I am looking forward to going right past the Statute of Liberty (probably on Sunday and may livestream this on Facebook so I can share the moment.  This will require fairly benign water so that I focus on the moment. To my Arizona family, no need to wake up early just for me.  I think it gets recorded as well.

Then there is the Erie Canal which will take a week to go through allowing time to really embrace the history of the canal.  If those Locks could talk!!

At the end of the canal, I will be near Buffalo, NY and the scent of home will be in the air.

Now it is time to come clean.  I named this Blog  six thousandmilesinadinghy. Because I decided to not go to Key West, FL, it should probably be more appropriately called fivethousandfivehundredmilesinadinghy. Not quite as sexy, but more truthful.  Ok, now I feel better.

Have a great night or day, whatever the case may be.

Dinghy Dave signing off.

How big a boat do you really need? or Does size really matter?

May 31, 2017:  Still in New Jersey Playing lots of Pickleball

Most people in the boating world seem to migrate from a small boat to a bigger one, and yet another larger one over the life of their boating ventures.

Part of my story is going from a very sea worthy 42 foot Krogen Trawler to a 15 ft dinghy to pursue the Great Loop in.

 

Bill Parlatore (creator or Passagemaker Magazine and a seasoned and well known boater) interviewed Ann and I when we were in Annapolis, MD several days ago.  Based on the interview, he wrote an article on this very topic and tells my story from his seasoned voyager perspective.

You can read the article and watch the video on his blog at the following internet address (just click on it and it should direct you to his post:

https://www.followingseas.media/blog/2017/5/30/dave-pikes-most-excellent-journey-continues

Bill, it was great to meet you and get your perspective on the boating lifestyle.  Ann and I hope our paths cross again.  If ever in Grand Haven, MI or the Phoenix area, be sure to give us a shout out.

Thanks again.

A little bit of Pickleball and Sightseeing

May 31, 2017:  A non travel day–Guest of Kim and Dave Smith in Fair Haven, NJ

Great day today and its not over.

Played a lot of  outdoor Pickleball with Kim and her friends this morning.

Afterwards Kim gave me a little tour of the area.  One stop was a 911 memorial to those people who worked in the towers but lived in Monmouth County and perished on that day.  Many people from the area could only watch in disbelief and horror from the vantage point of this memorial across the river.  It must have been surreal experience!  This is now a very special place dedicated to the 147 residents of this county who died on that day.

We also went to the Seabright Lawn Tennis and Cricket Club.  This place is a shrine for Tennis and is the oldest active lawn tennis club in the United States. It was founded in 1877!  Now that is old!!

Leave it to Pickleball Ambassador Kim to play a key role in getting a court lined for Pickleball in these hollowed grounds.  USAPA, are you listening!!  This should be recognized as the big deal that it is!!

Taking a break now, but will be playing again tonight.  This community is lucky to have such a dedicated ambassador!

It’s early but wanted to get my post in today before heading out to the courts again.

No scary moments to tantalize you with today. You can be sure that there will be some in the future!  Its my nature!!

O, What a Day! SandyHook-Check

May 30, 2017: Shark River Inlet (Avon by the Sea) to FairHaven, NJ.  Only 36 Miles today with 3,880 miles under my belt,.

So today was the big decision day.  Should I stay or should I go.  Until this morning, everything was on track for me to go. 3 foot seas and 10 to 15 knot winds.  I could live with that.

Surprise, checked in with the weather this am and it had changed to small craft warnings until noon (I think that means me), seas 4 to 5 knots and building in the afternoon.

I called the coast guard station 3 times and left messages but not return call until much later in the day.

Borrowed a bike (blew the tire on the way back) and went the half mile or so to the beach to assess conditions with my own eyes.  Did not look good, but doable!

Shark River Inlet

Talked at length with Tom, a handyman at the marina, and an X delivery captain.  We went over the charts, talked about my waypoints and what to see and what to avoid.

High tide was right at noon and I decided to go out at that time and then judge what to do.  I prepared this time. Double (garbage) bagged my suitcase and tied everything down and put away all technology devices.  Then put on all my rain gear and life vest (always wear it) and then clipped my emergency shut off cord to the boat engine.  Should I fall out, at least the boat engine would die and I could possibly get back on board.

Called Ann and told her it was a go and to wait and hear from me an hour or two later     (then put phone away in a dry spot).

So, precisely at noon, headed out.  No word from the Coast Guard.  Timing was great for getting out of the inlet.  The tide was just starting to ebb and getting out was no problem.

Then, I had to turn north to head to Sandy Hook.  The swells started to come and they were building.  I believe within a hour or so, I was in 5 to 6 foot swells.  I remember wondering if I would get seasick.  Thank god I did not.

The wind was a good wind for it helped push me in a north westerly direction.  I was extremely nervous, but rarely took on water over the bow.  It is all about timing your speed to the wave patterns.  I found that I could run at 13 to 16 miles per hour and keep a steady course.  I was glued to the wheel.

At that speed, I figured it would take two hours to get around the hook; and that it exactly what it took. What seemed like a day on the water turned out to be only 2 1/2 hours to my destination in FairHaven, NJ.

As I got closer to the hook, rain set in and light fog made seeing New York Skyscrapers almost disappear and ghostlike.

This day was full of adrenaline and nervousness on my part.  I am extremely glad to have this behind me.

So, got in around 2:30 and probably by 3:30, I was playing pickleball with the local pickleball crowd.  Had a great time. While in the car, I finally got a call from the Coast Guard advising me not to go out as the swells were building.  No XXXX, Sherlock!

Kim (a local pickleball ambassador, and her husband, David have opened their home to me while I am here playing and getting my NJ pickleball fix.  It is great to meet new friends everyday.

If weather holds, we will play twice tomorrow.  Yea!

Sorry, no pictures while on the move today!

 

 

 

Rain, Rain go away

May 29, 2017: Weather Delay; Journey is at Avon by the Sea, NJ and I am at Neptune City, NJ which is about 5 miles away.

As expected, it poured list night and being a holiday weekend without reservations anywhere, it was a sleepover with Journey again.  This time in the rain. Canvas innovations did such a good job with the canvas work, there were no leaks and I stayed dry as a bone.  By the way Chris (Canvas Innovations, many people admire the job you did with Journey.  I think more people stop by when the canvas/isinglass is up because then it is even more unusual to look at.

Here is what I get to see when it is raining and I am inside: Notice how dry it is, except for the humidity caused by my body. Makes it easy to change clothes because even if someone is looking, they don’t know what they are looking at (I know someone out there is watching).

It rained and rained and to top it off, I was between a drawbridge on one side and a train track on the other.  So, I took a lot of short naps last night and it was one of my longer nights aboard.

Got a weather break around 6:30 am  so showered and got a bite to eat at a nearby restaurant. Then I walked over to the coast guard station to see what local information I could get on the inlet and tomorrows forecast.

They essentially said that the weather is so unstable and unpredictable , the best thing to do will be to check it early tomorrow and decide then.

I then called a local hotel and got a room for tonight and got uBer to get me there.  Not a bad way to go.  Got some housekeeping done, laundry, and will get a good nights sleep.

My current plan is to head out around noon tomorrow  which is slack tide and a good time to get out of the inlet into the ocean.  There is also a little rain and fog scheduled for the morning.

Currently, it appears to be clearing up, but there is another low front on its way, so it looks like tomorrow, or it will be several days later.

Thats the hand I have been dealt, and will decide tomorrow if I should stay or if I should go.

Looks promising at the moment.  Yea!