Rain day today

It rained most of the day so we stayed put and did a few chores onboard. Just before dinner the rain finally stopped and we went for a little walk around the town of  Rome, NY.  We stopped at a well stocked hardware store and picked up a few stainless steel cotter pins which we will need when putting the mast back up. Unfortunately it was too late to get a tour of Fort Stanwix, however we did learn that this area was an important trade route for Native Americans known as Oneida Carrying Place and that the fort was built by the British in 1758 to protect the area from attack by the French during the French-Indian war. We also learned that in 1775 Fort Stanwix (renamed Fort Schuyler) was used by the Americans to defend against sieges by British soldiers during the Revolution.


The canal park where we were tied up is a good place to fish for walleye, perch and catfish and several of the locals came to fish from the dock in the evening. The park also has a little waterfall that is nicely lit up at night.  There is no charge for docking at this and many other places along the canal and the lock masters have been helpful in providing information about things to see and do locally.

The two guys we met briefly in Oswego caught up with us around dinner time. With no dodger to protect them from the rain and waves, they had a rough and very wet ride crossing Lake Oneida today in their Benateau 36. I suppose it is a good way to warm up for the Caribbean 1500.  They will join up with a group of other sailors making the crossing from Norfolk to the BVI's - that's ten days at sea with no protection from the weather while at the helm. Hardy souls!