I'm back as promised.

Shopping on Sunday and Monday in Oswego was a lesson in frustration. Gilbert and Diana and Jorge and I set out to buy phones and data packages for internet for our computers. While the staff at the three stores we visited were pleasant, they were not helpful as it seemed no one understood what packages their companies offered! We both ended up buying from Verizon but the process took us 3 hours on Monday to get the phones activated and our computers set up. The internet worked fine yesterday and earlier today but both of us were having problems accessing it tonight. Jorge finally called Verizon support and got our problem solved but sure what is happening with Gil and Diana.

Today we left Oswego at 0900. The people there were wonderful. Everyone we spoke with went out of their way to help us, give us advice or give us directions.

We finished the locks in the Oswego Canal, arriving on the south side of Lock 1 in Phoenix, NY, by about 1430. Pump out was free but the water was not potable. Electricity at the dock. No restrooms or showers. The park beside the dock was beautiful with muskoka chairs (making us feel right at home), big shady trees, gorgeous flowers and a wonderful breeze (it had been a hot day). We had a few cool beverages in the shade of the trees and visited with a couple new to power boating.

There are 3 miles left in this canal before we hit the junction with the Erie Canal then 160 miles east and 23 more locks to the Hudson. We're going to be pros at doing the locks! They have been quite slimy in this canal and I am certainly glad I bought special gloves for the occasion.  We are not sure if or when we will head out tomorrow or how many miles we will even do if we do head out. It might take us the two years to reach Florida at this pace.

Pictures will follow when we learn how to transfer them from the new phone.