22-23 June, 2021 Remaining at West Canal Park, NY

 

Tourist day at Niagara Falls, NY

Tuesday the 22nd we joined fellow loopers Bruce and Kathy from Escape and UBERed to  Niagara Falls State Park.  We spend a big part of the day enjoying this unique wonder.  Bundled up on a chilly 54 degree morning, it became partly cloudy and warmer by midday.  We hiked the trails, read all of the signs and information kiosks.  Walked to the observation tower at Prospect Point, walked to Terrapin point and walked the Cave of the Winds tour.   We had a great time, really enjoying seeing the falls, a little damp at times but sight and sound were spectacular.  Across the river, Canada looked  like a ghost town, while the US side, active, but not overly crowded.

POC & BW @ Cave of the winds

Horseshoe falls looking toward Canadian side

Out flow from Bridal Veil Falls

Getting wet on Cave of the Winds tour

Out flow @ Bridal Veil Falls

Water a bit chilly

Signage

The four of us had lunch; too expensive for what we got at a food court!  Rode the UBER back to West Canal park and called it a day.  

23 June.  Weather on Lake Erie might have been good enough for about 4 hours—but being the slow boat we are,  that was not a good enough window for us to even thing about moving.  We walked to Walmart only 1.2 miles away to return a few things, get exercise and wander around.  Really nice, clean and well kept neighborhoods observed during the walking trip.  During the afternoon, I splashed the dinghy and cleaned the outside of Serenity’s hull.  The bow has developed a dark brown tannin stain.  Other loopers mentioned that straight lemon juice would neutralize and wash off the stain.  Effectiveness about 80-90%.  Remainder of hull from the waterline to gunnels scrubbed and looking much cleaner.  After hull scrubbed I attached the little outboard to Kaos the dinghy and took a 20 minute ride on the canal.  Another good fresh water flush of the outboard.  Once dinghy and outboard stowed back aboard it was time to clean up.  Bruce and Kathy invited us to dinner on their 42’ Carver motor yacht.  We enjoyed and shared looper stories and strategized our plans for getting across Lake Erie.  Great evening.  

Tomorrow, we will untie the lines and moved to Tonawanda, NY; end of the Erie Canal.  Here at the junction of the canal and Niagara river, southward a few miles is Buffalo, NY and the entrance to Lake Erie.  Weather consisting of high southwest/westerly winds and thunderstorms will keep us in port for a few more days.  Long range forecast appears favorable beginning early next week.