This Is More Like It!

Yesterday was more like what we have been hoping for all spring. We certainly took advantage of the gorgeous weather. First we went to the Malta Drive-In Theatre's Flea Market. Between 80 to 100 vendors were set up in the field with all sorts of wares to sell. The soggy grass didn't keep people away on this spectacular morning, although poor Dave's shoes leaked and he felt like he was walking around in just his socks.

I really wanted one of these:

My favorite booth was this one with the seller having a good sense of humor...

We didn't end up buying anything, but it was still fun to see so many eclectic items. Then it was on to Waterford for the Canal Fest, celebrating the 225th anniversary of the Erie Canal. Lots of vendors were set up at the lock's welcome center, tons of people arrived as the day progressed, and the docks were filled up with traveling boats. Most of the boats are stuck here due to all the rain keeping most of the canal system closed, heading west. Last I heard, only 7 locks were open.

This is Solaris, the first solar powered boat ever to be U.S. Coast Guard approved to take on passengers. The whole roof is covered with solar panels that charge the 32 huge marine batteries that run the engine.

At the upper part of the park, where the first lock of the Flight of Five is, the view is great and we watched several boats lock through.

There was plenty of musical entertainment and boat rides at both the upper and lower sections, but we couldn't believe our luck to arrive just in time to see a professional Flyboard demonstration. Mike, the owner and instructor, had a Bluetooth headset in his helmet so he could explain all about Flyboards through the PA system. Being the mechanic that he is, Dave had to talk to Mike afterwards and got all the technical info about how it all works and attaches to the PWC. The big flexible hose is attached to the jet of the PWC, but then brought underneath it and attached to the PWC before being hooked up to the Flyboard. Since the PWC's forward/reverse propulsion is disconnected, the power from the jet's water goes into the tube/hose, sending the Flyboard operator into the air. The more throttle that the PWC operator gives it, the higher it flies. It is the person on the Flyboard that regulates the direction that the PWC maneuvers.

He had to have been cold since he started out immersed in the water. Up, up, and away...

What a great outing and we sure are looking forward to more!