Thursday, May 22, 2008

May 22-23, Sackets Harbor

Lighthouse as we leave the breakwater at Oswego, NY, and enter Lake Ontario


We start in the Oswego Marina and look at the weather as the wind is still blowing 10-15 and we are wondering if we should venture into Lake Ontario for the 35 mile crossing to Sackets Harbor. The weather is still rainy and quite cool. There are three other boats (two sail and one power) beside us all interested in crossing Lake Ontario today. Both sailboats leave ahead of us (the second to leave is next to us in the marina and their crew reports it is a "seven layer" (of clothing) day.

Owen and Ted decide to go stick the boat nose out in the lake to see how it is, and if it is ok, then to keep going. Cookie and Linda decide take the car to Sackets Harbor and do some more provisioning. We leave Oswego about 9 am and find the conditions on the lake better than expected.

Our Lake Ontario crossing is very uneventful and really a nice boat ride although a little bumpy. Seas in the lake are 2-3 feet and right on the port beam. Boat rides well and with the fresh water in the lake we do not worry about getting the "salt" off the boat at the end of the trip.

We arrive in Sackets Harbor about 12:30 and it rains most of the afternoon. We do some exploring by car and have a nice Italian dinner in Watertown.

Cookie Snyder and Linda lead us to one of the the museums at Sackets Harbor


Ted Snyder takes a careful look at the local trees.


Linda and Owen


Large gazebo/bandshell is in the center of this very pretty waterfront park in Sackets Harbor


Second day we tour Sackets Harbor and see the restored Army and Navy buildings, now privately owned with families in residence. The local museum commemorates the 1812 battles between the American and British forces in the Great Lakes that took place here and there is a preserved battlefield where reenactments of the battle are held most summers. Ted and Cookie remember seeing a reenactment here several years ago and said it was very interesting as both sides were represented by locals who wore uniforms and fired weapons.

The Army Commandants house overlooks the harbor and dates from the 1850's


Outdoor dining patio at the local restaurant "Tin Pan Galley". Too cold to eat ouside while we are here, so we have a cozy dinner inside. Very nice place.