Aug 23-27, Oswego Canal, NY

Raining all night and again this morning. A continuous heavy sprinkle. Weather channel is talking about high water with flood warnings in low areas. The Oswego Canal has been closed. We're on the wall above lock eight waiting for the high water to recede so we can continue.

We approach Lock 8 in Oswego.

We checked with the NY Canal authorities who told us the canals were closed east of Lake Onieda and open west of the lake. We are west of the lake. So we left Oswego and headed north into the Oswego Canal. The canal has eight locks and runs 30 miles north and connects into the Erie Canal which then runs east to Albany or west to Buffalo. We entered the first lock going north (lock 8) and were informed that all the locks and canal were closed until further notice because of the high water. We made it about a mile.

KOKOMO II waiting for the locks to reopen.

So now we are tied to the canal wall between Lock 7 and Lock 8 and still in the town of Oswego. We are next to a park and can walk to town. No shore power but we are picking up someone's strong internet signal.

Oswego River is running fast.

They tell us we will be here until the water goes down. Could be a couple of hours. Could be a couple of days. Pleasant spot except for the bridge repair (noisy with falling debris) taking place about 200 feet in front of our boat.

Day 2. We are awakened at 7:10 by the jackhammers used in the bridge repair. Linda is discussing trying to get the canal reopened so we can move away from the noise. Owen is not optimistic about reopening the canal just for us. Some tension aboard KOKOMO II.

Downtown Oswego.

Oswego City Hall

Courthouse.

Walked into Oswego and toured the Safe Haven Museum commemorating the Emergency Refugee Shelter here at Ft Ontario in Oswego. Then we toured Ft Ontario itself.

Fort Ontario.

Ft Ontario entrance.

Inside the fort

On the outer wall.

View from the fort.

The rain has stopped and it is a beautiful day in Oswego. No word on when the canal will reopen.

Work on the bridge above KOKOMO II.
Lots of noise and dust are being generated by the bridge work.

Day 3. Some parts of the canal are open for transit this morning but not the portion of the canal where we are located.

Field of potatoes being harvested.

We rented a car from Enterprise and headed for Syracuse to pick Ken Horner up at the airport. Overcast today and threatening rain. We hope not. Temperature is high 60's so very pleasant. We did some sightseeing and found a Walmart and a Wegman's grocery store today. KOKOMO II is restocked and ready to go again.

KOKOMO II waiting for the Locks to reopen.
Nice to be in a park close to town.

Day 4. Notice to Mariners from the NY Canal Authority at 6:59 this morning said the Oswego Canal is still closed due to high water and debris. We are learning a lot about the NY Canal Authority. Maybe more than we wanted to know. Maybe the canal will open tomorrow.

Lots of local produce.

A Mennonite family with fresh baked goods.

Owen and Linda at the farmers market

Found a farmers market in Oswego that opens every Thursday afternoon. We are looking for things to do.

Press Box restaurant in Oswego.
Good food. Nice atmosphere.

Day 5. Another Notice to Mariners from the NY Canal Authority at 6:48 this morning that said the Oswego Canal is closed due to high water and debris. Bummer.

Ken Horner is stuck with us in Oswego until the canal reopens.
Our crew is in good spirits.

Day 6. Another Notice to Mariners from the NY Canal Authority at 9:45 last evening that said the Oswego Canal is closed due to high water and debris. We would like to be moving.