It is late spring. We have spent the past four days readying Arkansas Traveler and provisioning the larder. The diesel tanks have been filled to capacity (320 gallons), the water tank filled (120 gallons), and all electronic and propulsion systems are ready to go. It is raining. Sometimes in torrents and sometimes it’s just a sprinkle; it is late spring in Brewerton, New York.

This Canadian Goose family is the epitome of springtime in New York

We are heading west on the Erie Canal as soon as the rain lets up. The temperatures range from the 40s & 50s at night to the 70s and low 80s during the day. Over the winter the folks at Winter Harbor Marina in Brewerton made some major changes to the galley. The double sink is now a deep, large single sink. The countertops are now granite rather than the laminate, which was separating from the plywood. It is beautiful and easy to clean. The result makes for happy cooking.

The galley updates!

Another terrific addition to our Traveler is yet another new dinghy motor. The 15-horse Evinrude outboard was just too heavy for the dinghy and too powerful; we were in constant danger of flipping the boat. The replacement motor is a Torqueedo; an electric motor that runs off of a lithium battery and charges either via the generator (or shore power) or through a solar charger that rolls into a neat bundle when not in use. It is a beautiful, very lightweight, smooth-running machine. And it is quiet! There is no smell of gasoline and no need to carry all of the accoutrements that go with a gasoline outboard.

The color even matches the dinghy!

Best of all, we are being visited by our good friend, Suzanne. She is a joy to cruise with.   Suz will be onboard this week as we head west to enjoy the small towns that prospered as the Erie Canal gained in popularity and commerce.