Hard Work Pays Off

"It's a wrap!" We have published the Hope Town Sailing Club's new website. Since I have learned the software so well during the process, I have been asked to be Webmaster! Bob, our retiring webmaster has been doing this since 2005, and he was ready to 'hand over the helm', although thankfully he will still help with consulting. I'm not familiar with a lot of the technical stuff yet, but am working on it.

We couldn't have done it without Amy, the editor, who compiles all the info and news. Together we are called the 'web witches' (I didn't want to be called webmistress!).

Visit http://www.hopetownsailingclub.com/

While you are roving the internet, check out http://www.abacorage.org/ , where I am the editor (Neil did a great job setting up the website), and I put the info online gathered from race reports and crew experiences.

To keep up to date on what's happening on these websites, there are links at the bottom of this page. The HTSC website is under Abaco Links, and the Rage blog is under My Blog List. I always hope you check the latest news on 'Into A New Horizon' first though!



Convergence Zone

'Pink' and I spent a nice cool day kayaking at Waterford, which is where the Champlain and Erie Canals meet.

It was quiet along the waterfront and not one boat went through the first lock of the the 'flight of 5' locks, spaced very close together as they reach up towards the Mohawk River.

These locks are protected from flooding with two huge metal gates that are lowered during times of flooding. This area, above the first lock, is where many boats spent the time of rising and receding waters during Hurricane Irene last fall. They were trapped for quite some time before the canals were traversable again.

Up one of the side creeks I found this tree that had floated up during the floods and deposited on the bridge. It is hard to believe that the water came up this high.

Right now the water is low and very little run off coming over the falls.

At the Waterford docks, I was just in time to witness the 'Onrust' dropping its mast, inorder to go up the canal system with the low overhead clearance at the bridges.

The mast had a very slow and controlled descent.

The Onrust is a replica of an exploration ship built in 1614. It was built in Rotterdam Junction and launched on the Mohawk River in 2009. It is used as a floating museum. To learn more about the Onrust project, click HERE for their website. What really made today special was knowing that our friend Jim Ryan donated the trees from his property for the mast and rig.

Another way to learn about the area is to charter one of these canal boats. What a fun way to experience the lock system and all the quaint towns and waterfronts along the Erie Canal.

It certainly is an historical area, and my kayak trip turned out to be a pleasant step back in time.



Yak Attack

What a great weekend we had with friends John and Lynda. They brought their new kayaks up to Ticonderoga and splashed them for the first time (sometimes the yak splashed John).

On Saturday we hauled our double and their two singles down to the local small boat access, about a 1/4 mile away on upper Lake George.

Both John and Lynda got the hang of paddling very quickly, even in current.

John had a few problems getting out of the kayak, but it's excusable, since it was his first time ever.

Lynda thought it was quite funny, but isn't that what fiancees are for?

Dave spotted this tiny turtle hanging out on the outdrive of a boat where nothing could grab him.

Walking back home uphill with the yaks, took both guys.

During the afternoon we took a break from paddling and cruised in the Sea Fox skiff, down to the Waltonian Islands for a refreshing swim. John got a snorkling lesson from Dave,since he had never used a mask and snorkle before. He and Lynda are preparing for their wedding and honeymoon in Jamaica, and water sports are high on their list of things to do there.

The guys finally take a break. Having fun with the Pahls is hard work!

Sunday morning we headed to Eagle Lake, our favorite kayaking spot.

We ended up stopping at the little rock island for a much needed swim in the 78 degree water.

Dave loves diving off the rock at its deep end.

This is a popular resting spot for yakkers and canoeists, and we were joined by two canoes, 4 kayaks, and a yellow lab. We also heard and saw several loons, but couldn't get close enough to take photos.

The wind picked up, so our paddle back was a bit harder with the wind against us. We were ready for another break and some snacks as we neared the launch ramp. As we left our spot, we all took turns sliding down the incline where we had beached the kayaks.



Next time we'll be ready to find and ride some rapids!

Go Binky!!

Museum Piece

Our latest addition to the collection is this spectacular 1915 Fuller & Johnson throttle governed, Model K,

5 h.p. stationary engine.

It hasn't run in about 5 years, but will be ready to roar back to life with very little effort. There is a whole sequence that you need to go through in order for it to start up, but right now we can turn the big wheels on the side and hear the whooof of the compression. I really like the huge piston and crankshaft. The bore is 5" and the stroke is 8".

Dave estimates the weight of the engine at about 575lbs. It will run on either kerosene or gasoline.

Eventually, we plan on using the Fuller & Johnson to propel the manure spreader.What a sight that will be!

What's In A Name?

While paddling on Brant Lake in the Adirondacks, I saw the perfect name for this gorgeous triple cockpit Gar Wood runabout...

Make It A Triple

Then I came across this boat that must have its own story to tell.

A boat named Fluke It passed by as it was being trailered down the road. Not to be outdone, I saw another one named Dead Men Don't Lie, which must have its own interesting history!

Of course I fit right in paddling my kayak Ro-mine, in memory of my father...

For Linda and John

Early morning is the ultimate time to hop in the kayak and explore. Here on Eagle Lake today, there was even a bit of fog.

Paddling quietly along the shore, you could feel the coolness of the woods and rock cliffs giving off a natural air conditioning.

The water was so clear that I could see tons of fish. Every time I stopped paddling, the sunfish came to the surface to stay in my shadow. Barely another boat or person were in sight the whole time. Instead, the bullfrogs were croaking, the ospreys were soaring, and the loons were diving.

This is what kayaking is all about!

Transplant

The Full Circle is staged and ready for its transplant surgery.

 

We even have a donor for the stern drive, and it has been removed.

Once the transplant is complete, the donor will become part of the motorcycle trials course. Nothing goes to waste at the Pashley Ranch, but does anyone need a boat trailer? Hopefully, you'll soon see that on Craig's List.

When the two stern drives were placed side by side, we could easily see what the overheating and leaking problem was. The saltwater corrosion was extensive and Dave had tried to seal it up.

The donor is a fresh water boat and its stern drive is in perfect condition.

Once it's launched and we come 'full circle' once again, we're hoping all its problems will be solved, including better steering. Time for the Bayliner to be revived so it can live on to see better days on the water.

We're Full Of #%*&!!

You all knew that before, but now we have something to spread it with! As it seems to be the case this summer, the items in our farm collection have come in pairs. We just recently aquired two antique manure spreaders.

The first one was pretty much just the frame.

Then we found the second one, which is complete.

It would probably be functional, and leave it to Dave, that's just what he plans on doing. He will eventually put a motor in it (most likely one of those antique hit and miss engines) and drive it around the property. It could also run the chains so we could give demonstrations on how it functions. I'm just glad there's no cows or horses around here to produce any manure!

This project will have to take a back seat to all the other projects we have going on though. Now that Hercules is running again, there are trees to cut down, stumps to be pulled up, and the motorcycle trials course is ready to be built. The wood chipper is attached to the New Holland tractor and ready to chew up all the fallen branches. Plus the Bayliner 'Full Circle' is waiting to be fixed. More on that in the next post. For now it looks like our time is spread way too thin!