Day's 39

• Tonawanda NY - Buffalo NY
• Start 10:30 am
• End 2:20pm
• Underway 2:50 Hours
• Locks - 1
• Bridges 2
• Distance 13.5 miles
• Av Speed 5.9 knots

We had a very eventful day. Recently our helm refrigerator stop working, so we had to order a new one. The problem was getting one ordered far enough ahead of us that we would not have to wait for it, as well as be close enough to a stop that we could pick it up. We found out that the West Marine in Buffalo was at a marina and had a courtesy dock we could use to pick it up. When we ordered it they told us it should be in today (July 6th). We did not want to leave Tonawanda until we were sure it would be in. The marina did not have any overnight dockage. I called West Marine as soon as they opened, and they confirmed that is would arrive today. Fedex was delivering it, and the tracking information said it was out for delivery.

As soon as we heard that we headed out. Sometimes you get lucky and the timing works out. As we were docking at West Marine they called and said the refrigerator had just arrived. After loading it on the boat we continued to Lake Erie. We had hoped to be able to dock in downtown Buffalo at the free town dock but it was full. We ended up a state marina about 3 miles away.

We have a device on our boat called NEBO, that shows other NEBO users where we are at all times. Most of the Loopers we have met use it also. It comes in very handy to see who is in the port you are heading to. We often use this to ask them if there is space available, or to help us dock. Today it was extremely helpful. Not only did we use it to find out the town dock was full, but as we were trying to find our way into the state marina, and find out slip, Steve from Sabbatical called us on the radio, saying he saw us on NEBO did we need help. I do not think we would have made it into the slip without his help. The wind was blowing 25 knots sideways across the slip.

Once we were tied up, I spent 3 hours installing the refrigerator. It should have taken 20 minutes. According to the manufacturer the new refrigerator was a direct replacement for the old one. Oh Well nothing is easy on a boat.

The other milestone we reached today, was the end of the Erie Canal. Between the canal, and our side trip to Alexandria Bay this section was 500 miles. Tomorrow back to open water on Lake Erie.