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| 18 SM; 2 locks down and 2.9 hours |
Today was planned to visit places Kim has not been in over 47 years. She lived in the area for several years, departing before high school. Last night’s stay on the Rome free wall was reasonably quiet and safe. Rome free wall video So we wanted to get underway early, take advantage of near perfect winds and temperatures and we did. We made ready and got underway at 0703 and in short order arrived at our first lock at 0740. This was a ride down lock of 25 feet. Lock 21 tender had the lock ready upon our arrival and we grabbed the ropes at the top of the lock this time, then rode down.
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| Lock exit looking aft |
Lock 22 just a short distance ahead; lock was open, with a green light and we entered and grabbed the lines and soon we lowered 25 feet and out we went. Fairly benign waterway this morning. Calm, clear and I finally saw two turtles sunning on a log snag. Up ahead located on the eastern shore of Oneida Lake, was the long free wall of Sylvan Beach, NY. Secured Serenity at 0930. A small village where Kim used to visit as a little girl, having a large beach and a vintage Amusement Park which appears to still be operating. We walked around, not much activity as NY remains pretty entrenched in COVID rules and just now beginning to open up. Most of the restaurants open later in the afternoon during the week, with expanded weekend hours. We spent considerable time walking around the amusement park, which is scheduled to open 26 June. It has been closed for two years and it shows. It still resembles late 50s-60s midway parks seen at local and regional fairs. Similar but clearly a smaller version of Coney Island.
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| Serenity at free wall |
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| Old whirly-gig |
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| Himalayan ride |
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| I never won anything back in the day |
Oneida Lake can get nasty with sustained westerly winds 15 or greater. Boating travel guides report six foot short, choppy waves possible at eastern end of lake and to respect the long 20 mile fetch of the East/
West lake. Not today. Nearly calm conditions forecast the entire day.
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| Oneida Lake looking west |
Next on the memory lane journey was Johnnies Pier 31 marina and clam shack. Johnnies is located three miles SW from Sylvan Beach. Here, Kim’s family kept a cuddy cabin cruiser they spent weekends on the lake and keep the boat at Johnnys. We have anchored in 7 feet of water about 1/2 mile from the marina which is too small and shallow for my comfort. We took the dinghy ashore. 1st opportunity to give Kaos and the little outboard engine a great fresh water wash and flushing. Kim met Johnny junior who now owns and runs the marina and restaurant. They had a great reunion of times back then. We got a bottle of local root beer and a Diet Pepsi at the clam shack bar and Kim showed me the artifacts hanging on the walls.
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| Johnnies Pier 31 |
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| Serenity anchored south shore Oneida Lake |
Returning to Serenity we cleaned up the dinghy and outboard before stowing. Grilled burgers tonight, on beautiful waters and amazingly clear skies. Gentle rock while slightly drifting on the anchor. Blessed day on the water.
4313 SM journeyed; 1784.0 hours hobbs
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