2012-05-27 - to Olcott Beach, NY
We left Sodus Bay at 8:00am ready for our last stop in the USA...Oak Orchard, NY. The seas were great today - a little choppy just as we set out but it soon settled and we coasted along anxious to get home. There were several thoughts today about doing the full run back to home...but, it would bring us back to Toronto at about 1:00am and, the moon was not going to rise until 12:40am....so, we would be in complete darkness for the last 3-4 hours. And, in the end, why do we really need to push it?
One exciting experience of the day was being approached by the US Customs and Border Protection boat. Just west of Rochester we saw them in the distance. They started to approach us so we slowed down to hear them as they shouted from their bow. There were about 3-4 men on board in what seemed from different jurisdictions in the US Gov't. They were asking for registrations and owners names, how much alcohol and money we had on board. Where we are going today and where did we check in were other questions. We quickly provided them with everything they needed. As far as checking in..this has been discrepancy in what is expected. Some cruiers check in at every port and swear that it was you have to do. Some do what we do and check in as you enter the border for the first time. We checked in at Port Canaveral when we crossed over from the Bahamas, but that has been all. I thought we would hear more about that but all was well and they thanked us for being patient and gave us the 'all clear'.
One exciting experience of the day was being approached by the US Customs and Border Protection boat. Just west of Rochester we saw them in the distance. They started to approach us so we slowed down to hear them as they shouted from their bow. There were about 3-4 men on board in what seemed from different jurisdictions in the US Gov't. They were asking for registrations and owners names, how much alcohol and money we had on board. Where we are going today and where did we check in were other questions. We quickly provided them with everything they needed. As far as checking in..this has been discrepancy in what is expected. Some cruiers check in at every port and swear that it was you have to do. Some do what we do and check in as you enter the border for the first time. We checked in at Port Canaveral when we crossed over from the Bahamas, but that has been all. I thought we would hear more about that but all was well and they thanked us for being patient and gave us the 'all clear'.
After that I continued to be busy with the kids - keeping them happy while Kerry was keeping us on course. He poked his nose in just as we were nearing Oak Orchard and said, "I have some news". Not knowing what to think as I was busy battling one of the bosses on Super Mario Galaxy 2 on the Wii (for Dylan, of course)...I listened in. He said that he did a bit of 'math' and thinks that we should push on a little further to Olcott, NY. This would take an extra 2.5 hours but would, of course, reduce tomorrows final run into Toronto by the same time. The wind was predicted to pick up in the afternoon, according to Windfinder.com....so, we would want to be in by then. So, the decision was made...Olcott it is. I needed to finish up a few 'Galaxies' on Super Mario for Dylan so that was fine with me. Dylan has become a huge fan of Super Mario and this is about the only thing he requests using his communication devices. I would love to develop a way that he could play himself. Not that I don't love playing it for him for hours on end....it would just be great for him. So, we plodded on headed for Olcott. I love the description for Olcott in the Ports Cruising Guide. "Olcott has the feel of a resort town that has passed its prime and the harbour, particularly the marine facilities on the west side, looks a little down at the heels and down on its luck". This description doesn't make you want to sell the farm and move here...but, it certainly makes me interested. Our plan was to head over to Olcott Yacht Club as we have reciprocal status with them. As we passed the club house several members popped out and were quick to direct us to a slip. It was only 2/3 of our length, but several of them grabbed lines and tied us securely onto the dock. They did have a restaurant and bar. We figured it would be great to meet some of the members so we quickly jumped off and headed to the clubhouse. We chatted with a few of them in the clubhouse - one if particular was Fred, a member of the Elks Club (charity) and was particularly interested in Dylan. He told us of the carousel and amusements at the beach. Perhaps we will come back again for a visit. It was a great night to spend on our last night of the trip.
So, our plan is to head out as soon a we can in the morning and arrive at our slip at QCYC around noon.
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