Erie Canal

We were off to a late start yesterday after one more stroll to the convenience store and then not being in any hurry to say good bye to the Brats. As we motored down the canal on such a hot day, we decided to take a detour to Lake Onondaga and visit the gigantic six story Destiny Mall in Syracuse. Carrie and Frazier walked the short distance from the city dock while I (needed) to stay back with the dogs. I spent the next couple hours talking with a couple local fisherman about life in general. Being from Syracuse they had completely opposite views from the folks I talked with in Phoenix, which is maybe 15 miles away! Wow, it felt like I had crossed into a different country! Anyway, we had some good conversation and shook hands as we departed. Once we were back on our way it was time to figure out where to stay for the night. We kicked it into high gear and raced to make a couple locks at 30 knots before they closed at 5pm. We made the first after phoning the operator and got through at 4:58p. We made it to the next lock which was closed, but it got us within 3 miles of the town of Clyde. We broke out the bikes and pedaled down a beautiful country road into town, to find everything but a one horse food mart closed. We grabbed some drinks and made our way back to the boat for some left over pizza. The bugs came out in full force as the sun went down and we finally figured the millions of bug bites we have been getting were from tiny no-see-ums that fit through the screens. So...the windows were shut tight and we used the new shark vacuum to suck the bugs up. One big black scary spider managed to escape into a window track and now we all have visions of it creeping into our ear while we sleep and eating our brains! I am not sure Alaskans really understand the concept of bugs. Yes we have gnats and mosquitos and biting insects but there are swarms of at least five different types of insects each night competing to suck our blood here! I cant forget to mention the spiders, centipedes, beetles, cockroaches, and snakes!
We survived the night in the boat sauna with the windows shut tight but pleasantly woke up not needing a transfusion. Thunderstorms and rain provided a few waking moments of excitement but as we cruise along this morning it is pleasantly cool and calm. Only a few more days left.










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