Great Loop: Oswego Canal

Mike and Beth at Oswego Lock 2 in Fulton New York

June 21st -25th, 2022

We turned right when the Erie Canal headed left.  This route took us to the shores of Lake Ontario and set us up for our crossing in to Canada.  This is a major milestone on our odyssey.  

Life is about choices - We chose Oswego as our next destination

Phoenix: Small Town America

As we walked around the charming town of Phoenix New York, John Mellencamp's song,  Small Town , kept running through our minds.  The town is a celebration of community, people who work hard, and strive to make the world a better place for themselves and their kids.  It also reminds me of the small midwest town in which I spent the first ten years of my life - over a half a century ago.  We loved it!

The first thing we noticed when we arrived was how much effort the town invested in making their waterfront welcoming.  After being on a boat all day, getting off the boat and on to shore is such a treat.  Arriving at a dock with tables, shade umbrellas, and chairs surrounded by flowers in gardens and hanging pots with local kids and volunteers asking how they can help.  No really!   They will get take out food and bring it to your dockside table for your enjoyment.  They will run errands.  They are serious about their hospitality and making you experience in Phoenix a positive one.  In the morning, the volunteers have hot coffee ready so you can get your caffeine jolt as you return to your boat from morning duties at the onshore restroom.

The town is nice and compact.  The "Bridge Brats" as the volunteer kids are called, will give you directions to whatever you need.  They gave us a suggestion for a lunch spot, and off we went. 

The town advertises its presence

It also is eager to share its history

The wonderful water side boardwalk complete with tables, sun umbrellas, chairs, hanging flower pots, and a limited number of power outlets.  Cost to spend the night - FREE!

The inside of Duskee's Sports Bar and Grill where we had lunch and a beer.

A walk around town reveals some of the local businesses

A walk also reveals some of the iconic homes of an earlier time

Uncle Sam smiles from the corner of a porch

A fond childhood memory - clothes on the line

Tree lined streets with sidewalks and kids

After stretching our legs we returned to the dock and took over one of the tables to do route planning

The sky at sunset

As we departed town, the lock master operated the lock and then raised the bridge so we could pass

One of the locals set up for a day of fishing

Houses along the Canal

The canal was intermittently lined with houses.  They ranged from cute cabins to McMansions.  I like the ambiance of those at the affordable end of the spectrum.

I could easily see myself in this cabin 

A larger estate like setting

This place was also attractive, although I would have liked to be at less risk for flooding

A Mini-Monticello 

The Fulton lock master snapped some pictures of us transiting his lock

The geese watch Amy Marie as she is lowered to the next level

The lock doors swung open and we exited the lock

Just below the lock we tied to the wall.  We then walked to nearby stores to do some shopping.  I also got my first haircut since leaving Charleston South Carolina.

Amy Marie at the Fulton Town Wall

A historical marker in the town of Fulton

Town of Oswego New York

Oswego is a transportation center on the shores of Lake Ontario.  There is also a campus of SUNY University in town.  It appears to be prosperous.  The final set of locks would drop us down to lake level.  You can see the church steeples of downtown Oswego in the distance.

Old industrial buildings still line the canal.

As the 8th and final lock opened, we could see out into Lake Ontario.  In a couple of days we will be making the 54 mile crossing to the Canadian side.

Berthing Information

Phoenix New York

• We stayed at the free wall in Phoenix, home of the "Bridge Brats" dock hosts
• There is limited power available at the wall.  15 and 30 amp.
• Water is available.
• Coin operated showers.
• Clean restrooms
• Amazing concierge level service from the volunteers and "Bridge Brats"

Oswego

• There is a free wall in Oswego also.  
• You should be self contained to stay there.
• We stayed in the Oswego Marina so we could have power, showers, restrooms, power and water

Trip Log