WanderlustandWhimSea

Although only 20 miles from Niagara Falls, I had no plans to take a $25 Uber ride to get there. I was settled in for the night, reading on my IPad, when there was a knock on my door, “Captain Barb are you in there?” Surprise, it was a couple that had toured WhimSea earlier… Continue reading A Surprise Trip to Niagara Falls

Poof – everybody leaves after Labor Day. It’s an interesting boating phenomenon in the Great Lakes but Labor Day is the last real boating of the season. As I stop at ever public cleat west bound, I am often the only boat in port when just a few weeks ago we were all clamoring for… Continue reading Everybody Leaves After Labor Day

I’m usually taking fun pictures of WhimSea from the outside but thought some of you might like to see the inside. A decoder for land lubbers: Salon = Living Room, Galley = Kitchen, Head = Bathroom/Toilet, V Berth = Bedroom, Pilot House = Pilot House When I bought the boat it had 30 year old… Continue reading A Tour of WhimSea

You know those cute canal boats? Well unfortunately they come with inexperienced boaters. I was sitting on the aft deck when the Onondaga left the dock at ramming speed. The boater claimed the boat was “stuck in neutral” – only problem with that theory is you don’t go very fast in neutral. The good news… Continue reading Ramming Speed

Well I did a u-turn and started west. There is a world of difference with my westward trip as I’m definitely moseying. First day 4 NM, next day a whopping 3 and today 16, but only because there was no place to stop. You may wonder what makes a good stop. Pittsford Is a great… Continue reading Westward Ho

For those of you who know me well, I’m a tad goal oriented. Stop laughing about the “tad” part. My second goal for this trip was making it to Burlington, VT. The Notice to Mariners with some locks not opening till 3 Sept made the decision clear, that going further east was a no go.… Continue reading Know When To Fold ‘EM

I’ve always said this trip would require lots of flexibility and plans A through Z. The remnants of Hurricane Fred hit upstate New York and it rained for 48 hours. As I was underway yesterday, I received a “Notice to Mariners” that Locks 24 – 28B were closed due to high water. I just passed… Continue reading Fairport = Flexibility + Fred

I am getting quite the education in bridges. Yesterday I went under 35 bridges and today it was 34. Above is a gate bridge designed to help control the water levels. This one is odd as only one side is up. Above is a lift bridge. I had 7 lift bridges on my route today.… Continue reading Bridges and Bicycles

The Niagara River is in a hurry to get to the falls. You’ll notice I opted for the calmer side. This is essentially the Great Lakes excess water moving on the path to the sea. So I admitted to being nervous for my first lock. As it turns out, the lock keeper told me to… Continue reading Goal #1 – Erie Canal – Achieved

It was an easy trip from Dunkirk to Buffalo. Upon arrival I went to hook up electric and found a missing prong. Before I could even devise a plan to get a new one, boaters Lisa & Dawn donned angel wings and offered to help. They just happened to have an extra brand new 30… Continue reading Boat Angel’s in Buffalo