July 21, 2011 Alexandria Bay

Our plan was to pull anchor at 9:00, fish in the channel until 9:30 and then head off to Alexandria Bay. Lew called before 9:00 and said that it was so windy he did not feel like fishing and thought we should just depart. I agreed. It took about 15 minutes to get the anchor up and seaweed hacked off with the trusty machete. The trip covered 8.2 miles. We left at 8:15 and arrived about 11:00. We flew down the St. Lawrence River with a strong tail wind and a 1 knot current carrying us along. I kept slowing the engine down but the speed kept increasing. I did not want to get to the docks before any transients from last night left.

When we arrived we were told by the Riveredge office staff to take any open dock. Docking turned out to be very difficult in the strong wind, about 20 knots. I docked first and went on the leeward side. Kerry attached a spring line and I tried to back to the dock. No way! The wind blew the bow out and three of us could not get it in. Finally with more help we did, but it was really difficult. Lew came in on the windward side of the dock and blew right into it with little problem.

No sooner than he got tied up a small power boater came up and shouted for Lew to get out of his dock. The dock boy, Cory, actually a bell hop did not know what to do. Apparently they now rent out some docks seasonal, but don’t mark which ones. So after some discussion, Lew had to move to the leeward side of the dock in front of me. He just got docked again and they told me I had to move. Fortunately Lew could move up and I could take his spot. The dock I was in belongs to a 40 footer that is gone at the moment. All in all, it seemed to take as long to dock as it did to motor over. All the marina people and we were pretty grouchy by now, but soon we all calmed down. Kerry made our rum and tonic which was very welcome, and a hot dog for lunch. Jim called and said he would be here about 3:30.

Jim arrived right on time with packages of cookies, brownies and other treats from Rosemary, a new battery charger and his Welland Canal fenders. In short order we had unloaded the goodies from the car and found ourselves sitting out in the cockpit in the strong wind having a cocktail. Jim went for a rum and tonic while I did a martini in recognition of the fact that it was almost the official start of happy hour.

Even though it was windy, it was really hot and humid. Jim devised a new way to cool himself. After half his drink was gone, the wind blew the glass and remaining liquid right over onto his lap! Cool it was! Jola washed his shorts in the sink, so the first two pictures we took were Jim and I drinking and Jola working. I will make no comment about that.

Lew and Gretchen came over to help us enjoy our cocktails and appetizers. We went to dinner in town at a steak and seafood place. Jola, Kerry and I walked back through the shopping area. We stopped at the local dock which is right in town. It looked great. While deep enough for Excalibur, it does not have water or power, so it would be like anchoring out. Still, it looked like a fun place surrounded by open air bars and restaurants. Next time we should stay there.

Once we returned to the boat it was time for Rosemary’s turtle brownies, which are the best. Jim and I showered on the swim platform and called it a night. I have a big light on the back of the boat that lights the swim platform, and of course once Jim got all lathered up in the darkness of the harbor, somehow it came on. I wonder how that happened?