Our Adventures with Kismet: Baldwinsville, NY

Tuesday morning in Clyde was so peaceful. Our morning started with our usual walk, breakfast, then preparing the boat for leaving. No showers today as Clyde's only facilities are bathrooms. So on to Baldwinsville.

We were planning on catching up with some relatively "new" boating friends we had met last year on the canal. They live in Baldwinsville, right on the canal. We were looking forward to spending time in Baldwinsville and meeting up with Mark and Teri.

The cruising for the day went without a hitch. We transited through 2 locks, they were smaller only 6 feet. The scenery was breathtaking and we actually passed several boats going in the other direction, plus several fishermen.

The original canal called "Clintons Ditch" was completed in 1825. It was widened in 1862. This is when the aqueduct was built to span the Seneca River. The arched portions supported the tow path and the U shaped part in the middle held the canal. The 3rd improvement came in 1918 when horses had been eliminated by engine driven boats. The Seneca River like many other rivers was incorporated into the canal system thus eliminating the need for the aqueduct so it was dismantled.

Above we transited Cross Lake.

We arrived in Baldwinsville a little before 2:00 p.m. Sooner than we had expected. Not knowing exactly where Mark and Teri lived on the canal we kept a close eye out for a their boat that would be docked behind their house. Just as we were about to reach town, there was Mark in his backyard. Mike slowed the boat down and we talked briefly letting him know what our plans were. Mark said that he and Teri would be over to see us in a little while. So we were off to the wall to find a space and get settled.

The wall, well that was another story. We luckily were able to find a great spot to tie up but my lack of height caused a bit of a problem. You see the wall is fairly high in comparison to our boat. There is about a 3 foot difference between the top of the wall and the side of our boat. For Mike that was an easy leap, for me, the short one, well let's just say it was a challenge. But we figured it out, as long as Mike is here I can get on and off, otherwise, nope.

So I digress. After getting tied up and kind of settled Teri and Mark showed up with a yummy breakfast gift and smiling, kind faces. Oh let me back up just a minute. After getting the boat settled Mike headed over to the visitor center to check in. Well he came back looking a bit disgusted. Came to find out they have no showers or bathrooms except for a porta-potty. UGH! (Remember we have no shower facilities on board.) After a warm 6 hour cruise and not having a shower the day before (remember Clyde had no facilities either) we were in need of a hot shower and I had hoped to get some laundry done. Now what? Well that's when two angles swooped in and saved our "stinky butts".

Teri and Mark offered to take us back to their home for showers, laundry facilities and a cool drink on their back porch. Now remember we had only met them once last year. That folks, is what the boating community is all about. Specially when you find that perfect couple that you just seem to click with. So we eagerly took them up on their offer and spent a wonderful afternoon enjoying their company and home. Oh and can I say Teri's Mom (who was visiting) was an absolute JOY!

After our long day of cruising and a great visit with friends Mike treated us to dinner out. Dinner was nice, but the treat afterwards was EPIC!

Teri had suggested this place in town that sells ice cream and other yummy treats. Well you all know how much we love ice cream. So after diner we stopped by JessiCakes and WOW yes it was a bit of a sugar overload but it was so yummy. We enjoyed the sweet treats down by the canal and then headed back to the boat exhausted and ready for a good nights sleep.