Opportunity Knocks!

I believe there is a saying to the effect that when opportunity knocks you need to open the door. So a couple of days ago I received a notice to mariners from N.Y. Canals saying that the lock that we are docked beside would be staying open late to accommodate boaters returning from an event at the Lakeview Amphitheatre in Syracuse. So a little online sleuthing revealed that the Goo Goo Dolls (Iris was a hit) and Philip Phillips (American Idol) were playing Friday evening. In my mind this was a great opportunity not to be missed! Karen says I'm like a dog with a bone when I get an idea like this ... I initially started investigating moving to a marina on Onondaga Lake across from the venue but the marina needed to do some research to see if they could accomodate a 40' boat with a 60' mast and would get back to me. 

While researching the lake, marina etc. I discovered that as Syracuse grew and industrialized they used the lake as a sewer, dumping everything from waste water to heavy metals and bacterial waste into it. Swimming was banned in 1940 and fishing in 1972. Lake Onondaga was designated a Superfund Site and Honeywell, the successor corporation to the worst polluters has done an incredible amount of work to remediate the lake. Today, fishing is permitted and the water apparently meets EPA standards for swimming. 

After an evening of gentle persuasion Karen agreed to a field trip consisting of a visit to the Erie Canal Museum in Syracuse, dinner and the Goos! Ever the one with common sense, Karen pointed out that we were only 10 minutes away by car "can't we get an Uber instead of moving the boat?"  Hmmm ... that would be easier ... "and maybe Bob and Sheila would like to join us". 

We had a lazy morning yesterday, packed 4 of us into an Uber Kia Rio and headed down to Syracuse in the afternoon. 

The museum was very well done with textual, graphic and interactive displays as well as a gallery of art inspired by the canal. Several of the pieces highlighted that the canal was a vital link on the Underground Railroad. They even had a unit price contract between the canal corporation and a consortium of individuals to build a few of the original locks. It was interesting  (to me) how similar the wording was to our present day contracts!

After the museum we walked around downtown, had dinner at the Erie Brewing Company and hopped another Uber out to the concert.

Civil War Memorial and Banking buildings

I had no idea who Philip Phillips was but he and his band were excellent! I just might buy an album (I know I'm dating myself).  And apart from the few songs from one of their early albums, Superstar Car Wash, when they said they were trying to be reclusive indie rockers, the Goo Goos rocked (but not too hard!). 

Lakeview Amphitheatre

Today we're going to have a lay day in Baldwinsville, move to Brewerton at the western side of Oneida Lake tomorrow and cross the lake in predicted calm conditions Monday.