Shuffling around Buffalo

We got into Rich Marina after checking with customs at the Erie Basin Marina. Buffalo harbour is quite nice, with the Niagara River running in front of the Black Rock Canal.

We walked over to West Marine to look for a few items, namely a sending unit for our fuel gauge which just gave up the ghost after Scott tried to fix it. We went to MacDonald's (for Reg and Aidan) and then Faso's, a local Italian restaurant, for dinner then crashed after showers into bed.

The next day, Tuesday, we spent about four hours with the crew at the marina taking out mast down, securing it to the boat and made one last run to West Marine. There we splurged on a new main sheet (rope that adjusts the main sail) and some hardware for some odd jobs.

We got back, and Messenger now looks rather odd with her proud 55-foot mast strapped to the cabin on a series of boards Scott had built.

We were in increasingly desperate need for fuel so we were told Wardell's Marina at the Erie Canal entrance sold diesel. We passed under the Peace Bridge (what an engineering marvel from below) and headed for the canal. We took photos but have misplaced the camera for a bit - we'll post later.

We were in the narrow channel coming up to Wardell's and the jerk who works there wouldn't sell us any diesel because we didn't get our mast taken down there.

Frustrating and rude. But happily, he was the rarity.

We made our way about 18 miles up the canal to Lockport, the first of two locks (called staircase locks) that we would need to traverse of 35 before we enter the Hudson River.

The incredibly kind and helpful lockmaster helped us secure our boat to the wall and the kids were amazed at how quickly we dropped 25 feet. Then we did it again. It was so cool.

Lockport is beautiful. But what makes Lockport special for us is Sister Jeannette and Sister Kathleen.

We were struggling to find a source for diesel fuel as we knew that there are not many places on the canal to get it. The lockmaster said it would be hard as well, and suggested we walk to the Mobil gas station.

We docked in a strong current just past the lift bridge at a free terminal dock. It was growing late and clouds were gathering above. We cleaned up a bit and started to walk down the dock and there were two ladies sitting at the canal fishing.

We started talking to them, particularly the kids, about our adventures. Sister Jeannette asked me where we were going carrying yellow jugs. I told her we needed to get diesel. 'You can't walk there' she exclaimed. 'I have to take you'. We protested (weakly) and she started to tell us that she and Sister Kathleen were with an International Order, St. Mary of Mams (spelling?) of Belgium. That angel took Scott and I up to the gas station with five large jugs while the kids fished with Sister Kathleen.

We filled up the jugs with diesel and Scott declared he couldn't have carried two jugs let alone five the two miles up the hill back to the boat.

Sister Jeannette said that sometimes God brings people together for a reason. I think she's right. We gave them a tour of our rather messy boat and shared some stories. This cheered us enormously.

It poured rain outside but it didn't matter.

Today we had a fabulous day, stopping in Medina as Reg was in seriou

Reg has phone withdrawal because he didn't pack his charger. Our cruising guide said Medina had a Radio Shack. Turns out it shut down two years ago. But Medina had a fantastic little farmers market right next to the terminal dock. (Lisa docked the boat!!!) and a great bookstore. We topped up the water tanks and used the rather impressive boater washroom facilities, grabbed a pizza and headed out again.

We drove another 23 miles to Brockport where we finally got Wifi!!! Now I can update this blog, Elizabeth can update hers and we can do some banking, etc.

This stop has incredible facilities for boaters: borrow a bike, washroom, laundromat, borrow a wagon, great shopping nearby, a visitors' centre with DVD and TV, comfy sitting area, computers, Wifi, and someone to welcome you. Not free, but at $8 a steal.

A spectacularly beautiful day on the canal to make it perfect.

Tomorrow we might stay here for an extra day to stock up on groceries. Scott has to sort out problems with the alternator belt and maybe repair the sending unit on the fuel gauge.

More later with pics