Wednesday, August 30, 2017

Fri. Aug. 18 Oswego Free Wall to Phoenix Free Wall

Fri Aug 18, Oswego Wall to Phoenix wall

  Left the wall with 2 other boats when lock 7 was ready for us, then lock 6.  As we approached lock 6, the port engine overheated which necessitates shutting it down and maneuvering into the lock on 1 engine.  When we pulled out, we limped to the wall to tie off.  Short Vacation followed Greeks Folly and Tom had hatches open and John had flashlights ready.  The big diesel engines are very hot when running and the engine room was very steamy.  After checking the strainer basket and impeller, they found no cause for concern.  They did find a blockage in the oil heat exchanger; pulled out leaves and mysterious pieces of rubber - probably from an old impeller.  Tom restarted the engine, water was coming out the exhaust so we are good to go.  A total of 6 locks today with 18-30 foot lift each.  The walls are grimy and dark green from the river - glad we have gloves and fender covers.  After Lock 1 we pull to the wall in Phoenix - the home of the Boathouse Brats.  The wall is next to picnic tables, a park and a pavilion.  Friday night is music in the park as well as service by the Boathouse Brats.  The Brats are kids who provide table service for dinner on the waterfront.  There are 4 restaurants in town in which you order off the menu.  The kids take your order, pick up the order and deliver it to you as well as provide you any table service needed.  The kids volunteer (work for tips) and provide a service to the community and boaters.  It is a wonderful program, well run.  We enjoyed visiting with Steve and Debbie on Who Cares and enjoyed the Friday night in the park - a Norman Rockwell moment.  
One of the locks on the Oswego Canal

One of the nicely decorated towns we went thru, Minetta

This is Phoenix and the Bridgehouse Brats

A Norman Rockwell painting if there ever was one

People come from miles around to eat here and support
the Brats

We had breakfast on the docks with the Brats.
These are Colletta's pancakes, she had breakfast
for 3 days, they were huge

Cathy, the organizer and creator of the "Brats" and
Mike Lattimore the unofficial Mayor of Phoenix
 

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