24 June, 2021. Who knows how long the winds blow

 

5 SM; 1.3 hours

It was time to relocate from the West Canal Park to N. Tonawanda, NY.  We exceeded the published stay at the canal park by a day and while the park staff remained friendly, it was time to leave the free facility.  So we got underway at 0800 and at five MPH or slower proceeded to the pay wall at N. Tonawanda.  We were secured by 0900.  (Map). About an hour later our looper friends on Escape arrived and we caught their lines.  Here at our new location, charges are $1/foot which includes showers, electricity and water.  A decent price.  We have completed the Erie Canal.  Tonawanda is divided by the canal.  North is a separate and distinct town in a different county; south is just Tonawanda and a separate county.  Post Office was 2 blocks north of us and we picked up mail and parts yesterday.  Much more vibrant area than the past few stops.  

If I could predict the weather with 100% accuracy perhaps we would have slowed our travels and visited a few more places along the canal.  But my forecasting and NWS is not 100% so we are here and experiencing deviations from forecast of a few days ago.  Pretty nasty weather, particularly winds expected next several days.  Thunderstorms and rain, but winds in excess of 20 knots and gusts above 30 are the main weather theme.   Yikes, Lake Erie maintains it’s reputation.   We are planning on relocating south along the Niagara river to the Buffalo harbor and an anchorage Sunday afternoon weather permitting.  One remaining lock, not part of the canal system, lifts five feet from the Niagara river to Lake Erie level and into the protected Buffalo harbor.  That is the current plan.  At least we have company as the larger loop boats are here too, waiting better weather before getting in/on Lake Erie.

4522 SM journeyed; 1819.8 hours hobbs