Sunday, the weather still did not cooperate. We did manage to get in a walk around Cobourg and an ice cream before the kids had to make their way back to the working world. It was really sad seeing them leave, but I'm sure they are glad we are heading to warmer vacation spots for them, rather than living with them. They know we usually offer only two choices.

After the kids had gone, we felt we really did have to get this show on the road. Bob and Sue helped us with a last minute provisioning and brought the wood for laying the mast on the boat for the canals. (We have to take the mast down to traverse the canal system.) They had been storing the wood supports for us since June. Now we just had to wait for weather for a reasonably comfortable crossing to Oswego, NY. Oswego is about 77 miles diagonally across Lake Ontario from Cobourg and is the entrance to the Erie Canal system. It is this canal system that will eventually take us to New York City - and is what we regard as the first part of our journey.

There was a big stationary low system over Ontario which brought unsettled weather - scattered showers and chance of thunderstorms - throughout the region. We walked to the Cobourg library to check on the weather both for Cobourg and for Oswego and finally Thursday night looked promising for a night crossing before getting worse again. Prior to leaving we had a nice visit from David and Hallie on Lady of Shallot. One of the benefits of being in Cobourg is the number of boats that pass through. Thursday evening turned out sunny with clear skies but no wind. We decided to go and do our trawler on a stick impression (i.e. motor across). So with a full fuel tank and an empty holding tank, we left at 7:00pm. The motor was beautiful with calm seas and a nearly full moon. We had our radar running and it worked great. We were able to monitor ship traffic as we passed through the shipping lanes and avoid the big guys, a very important thing to do. Also Karen, during her watch was able to play dodge the early morning showers. She was able to clearly pick up showers and alter course so we never got wet. The radar was a great tool but we were thankful we had taken the radar course (a computer based course) over the winter and practiced during daylight this summer.

During a crossing like this, we normally take watches with one person on watch and the other sleeping below. We normally manage about 4 hours sleep each which takes the edge of the tiredness for the next day. Our watch system falls naturally into place as Karen is a late night person and I am more an early morning person. I usually take the first sleep for about 2 hours and, with the right timing, she gets to sleep in the morning.

We arrived at Oswego Marina at 8:00am just as they opened. We checked in with Customs and Immigration and obtaining our Cruising License. The process went extremely smoothly. Immigration used the video-phone and we got our license by fax at the marina office. We then tried to get some sleep but by that time were wide awake. We then started preparing the boat to remove the mast, which the marina did later in the afternoon. That night we treated ourselves to dinner out.