People

Today was so amazing. We were unable to move the boat due to weather, but it was such a great day. We cleaned, did some schoolwork and Tom and Thomas walked a long way to the grocery store. The highlight of our time today was the people that we have met.  All the boaters were weathered in , so we mingled and visited.  There are truly amazingly wonderful people out there.  It is no accident that we were able to spend time today with a wonderful man who has truly taken his boat all over the world.  He was telling us of his time in Alaska, and Tom's eyes lit up.  OK. So I guess this means this trip is going well enough that he is already thinking of another?!!  I don't know,  I have ALWAYS wanted to go to Alaska, so  I am in! !!!
We also met another amazing man that was in the military for almost 20 years and was the engineer on a nuclear submarine!! Boy was he fascinating to talk to.  I love getting to know new people and hearing their stories.... everyone has one, and it is fun to discover it!  Anther couple nearby is also from Michigan, and she is from Gulf Shores , Alabama.  How fun!

The kids had recess in the hold today!! Flashlights in the bowels of the boat, laughter and discovery were big today.. Who knew such a small space could provide such big adventure?  It is bigger under there than the picture implies!!

Atlantic Ocean

We  cannot believe we were actually in the Atlantic Ocean today. We left New York, somewhat sadly, for it is a great city.  We had to weave through many huge freighters. It was really amazing to see them .

We then followed the Jersey Shore, which is spectacular. They have beautiful sandy beaches ...

We arrived in Cape May, NJ and there were amazing fishing vessels and cottages built on the water. I know my dinner will be fresh tonight!

The kids were fascinated by the salt that collected on the boat. My hubby had to spend some time washing it off!!  It is official, our "Southern Belle" is no longer strictly a freshwater boat!!

Tom and I are continuously amazed at God's providence. We have really not travelled alone during this trip. He has been with us, but we have met some of the most amazing people , who have taken care of us during this journey.  Tom has been able to watch the weather and plan with others during the entire trip.
We are so grateful for all the help and guidance along the way. I feel that we have been provided for the entire trip.  What a gift!!

Comfort

Today was difficult, as I was unable to make it to my aunt's funeral.
I longed to be near to  family to comfort them and mourn with them.

I was reading in Psalm 119:50 and I would like to share..
"This is my comfort in my affliction,
That your Word has revived me."

The power of the Word of God can comfort, heal and bring peace.  Read it, live it and let it transform you from within.

Lion King

September 26

We saw the lion king today. It was fantastic. The music, the sets, and the costumes had us all mesmerized.

After the show, we met the girl who played young Nala. It was a treat.

Today was a bittersweet day- as we enjoyed the theatre , we were touched with sadness as we mourn the loss of my aunt.  She is greatly loved and will be greatly missed.

Happy 7th Birthday Thomas

Saturday Sept. 25

Thomas woke up so very excited for his birthday.  We told him that we were going on THE aircraft carrier that we saw coming into NYC, and he convulsed with excitement.

It was a spectacular day.  We toured a nuclear submarine, the Growler. He loved every minute of that.

We then toured the aircraft carrier and saw many planes, the bunks , the anchor locker with the huge chain, and we actually met two retired veterans that were on the aircraft carrier in WWII.  The Intrepid has quite a history of her own, surviving 3 kamikaze attacks and earning the nickname "the ghost ship".
We spent 5 hours touring the carrier and still did not see it all.

We topped off the day by going in 3 different simulators for piloting aircraft in WWII.  When Tom turned their aircraft upside down, Thomas said, "Dad, why are you driving like that? Stop it!" They had a live video feed to the outside and all I saw was Tom dying laughing.

We ended the evening with chocolate boat cake, designed by Thomas.

What an amazing day for my 7 year old guy!! Thanks to the One who put this family together.

City Day

We explored 5th avenue and FAO Swartz and tried to go to the "Top of the Rock" but the lines were way too long.  We saw Radio City Music Hall and Central Park.  We came back to the boat for turkey burgers and a view of an amazing moonrise over the city.  We are all so thankful to the Giver of all gifts.

Lady Liberty

September 23

We are so excited to be in NYC.  We started the day at the Liberty Science Museum and then toured the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.  It was so amazing.  Tom was thinking of his great grandfather, Ben Vredevelt, who showed up there from the Netherlands with only a suitcase in his hand. It is wild to think that half of all Americans can trace their ancestry to that Island.

The kids loved visiting the Statue of Liberty. It is really beautiful.  I visited her in 8th grade and the stairs were easier to climb then.  I think they added more!!

We then had dinner at one of Tom's favorite Japanese restaurants. The kids tried new foods(sushi) and liked it!  Anna is not an adventerous eater, so when I tried to get her to try king crab tempura she looked at me and said, "I don't eat crusties...you know, crustaceons." OK then , she can stick with the beef kabob. We also saw our dear friends, the Saurs, and hugging them was like a slice of home.

We missed the last water taxi to our boat , and getting home was an adventure. It revealed tons about our kids when put in an unknown situation.

NYC

September 22

What a day.  Following the Hudson River into NYC is stunningly beautiful . The Catskill mountains are beautiful.  We went past Westpoint Academy and that was fun. Thomas said, "I want to go there!!"

We then came into the city and went past the Statue of Liberty on our boat!! It was unbelievable.  Anna said, "Wow, it looks real!"

 

The skyline is stunning.  We also spotted an aircraft carrier and Thomas was wild with excitement.  Thomas kept asking to go to visit the aircraft carrier, and we keep telling him we think it is military and can't be visited.  (We are taking him there Saturday for his birthday.)

We had the pleasure of having dinner with Michigan friends who are here on their boat, too. It was an amazing day.

Hudson River

This is a cool lighthouse in the middle of the Hudson River between Albany, NY and Kingston, NY.

We had an amazing day. The Hudson River is as beautiful as we were told it was. We had a nice boat ride/school morning and arrived in Kingston after lunch. We parked under a bridge which we later walked over.  It was really high.  Anna looked at me and said, "Mom , why are you sweating? " I said Anna I am scared. She said , "Then why do you smile when you are scared".  I didn't have an answer for that one.
Tom took this picture from the bridge.

No More Locks

Sept. 20

I am so excited to be done with the locks for a while. The kids lost interest somewhere along lock 14.(yesterday).  Then it was just Tom and I. Truthfully, it was Tom alone for some of them so I could teach school. He had to maneuver the boat to stay in the middle of the lock using the engines and bow thruster. Good job, Cap'n!!
I must say the people that we met working the locks were an interesting group. Most of them would not communicate at all on the radio, so you would wonder if anyone was even there. Then, the gates would open and you were greeted with a hearty hello and vibrant smile. As a whole, the lock masters were very friendly and welcoming. They made restaurant recommendations, gave city information, and just made the trip more pleasant. What an unexpected delight.
Another unexpected delight was all the cool bridges that we went under.  Wow!

Soooooo, we hit another submerged log today...bummer. We had a diver come to the boat and check the props. Thankfully the props are in good shape.
Soooooo, we now have electric issues. Tom has been on the phone and playing Mcguyver. I am praying for an easy solution.
This pic is the end of the Erie canal. I can't believe we are in our boat on the Hudson River!!
I am so thankful to God for this opportunity for our family.

Thomas was the first in the Hudson river!!!!!

Amsterdam, NY

Sept. 19

We started the day on Lock 17. It was a big one, we dropped 40 feet. This lock was different in that it had a door that was counterbalanced with cement and raised and lowered rather than swinging open. Really cool to watch, then we had to go under it and feel the spray of the rusty metal door! Tom got some much needed cleaning done. He swabbed the decks and I drove the boat. I was winding through the Erie canal, watching for half submerged logs( there were many)- dodging them as I went. I had to keep chanting - green on my right red on my left to remember which way to go through the buoys.  Since we are headed out to sea ,(Atlantic ocean) it was the opposite...that is why I had to keep reminding myself of the opposite-green on my right,red on my left!!!! It was all so stressful for me, I just did not want to be the one driving the boat and run it aground.

We arrived at Amsterdam dock and there was a nice playground and a nice pedestrian walkway over train tracks into town.  We walked into town for dinner, through some interesting neighborhoods.  Along the way was a RAC (Rent A Center) . Thomas ran up to the window and pressed his face against the glass and shouted, " Look at that bed, I love that bed, Dad please buy me that bed!"  Poor boy has had a few too many nights in the sleeping bag I guess.  Tom and I did feel a little badly for him, so we let him sleep part of the night with us!

On the way home from dinner, a train went by while we were above it on the walkway.  It was really fun to look down onto the train.  And the trains kept coming on the hour , every hour, all night long...blowing their whistles...only steps away from the boat.  Whew- not much sleep !!

Lock Days

September 18

We travelled through 7 locks today. 2 going up and 5 going down. It is slow going down this canal, but it was stunningly beautiful. We saw countless blue herons,ducks and geese, the biggest frog I have ever seen swimming in lock 19, and lots of floating trees from the high water and rain this season. It is Tom and my nature to get there fast, but today we thoroughly enjoyed slowing down the pace of life, giving thanks to the Creator for this spectacular day. We are even thankful for our "growing pains" in our ten feet of space.
We were elated about fixing the leak as we started the day, and as we hit a submerged log- and wondered about the props, we gave thanks for the opportunity to have this experience. All of the expience, good and not so good, has been gift. We finished off the night with upside down pizza in Little Falls, NY... Yummmmm!

Oswego Canal

We had such a blast today.  It was so much fun to go through the 8 locks of the Oswego canal . Instead of going up this dam, we went up the locks. The kids all took turns managing a line. It was so helpful to have more hands on deck. The kids amazed me with their maturity and responsibility in the locks today. We celebrated by having dinner at a nice italian restaurant in Brewerton, NY.

Tom is so excited today also because we think they found and repaired the leak in the anchor locker.  yipee!! No more bailing water out of the bilge!!  No more pulling my husband out of the hold by his toes!

Rain Day

We stayed in Oswego today, since it rained all day. We got tons of schoolwork done. That is great because tomorrow will be all hands on deck through the Oswego canal (part of the Eerie canal. Tom found excess water in the bilge. He spent all afternoon tracking it down- it appears to be coming from a drain pipe in the anchor locker. He was deep in the hold of the forward bilge and got stuck. I was literally pulling him out by his feet! It was comical!!

Crossing Ontario

I forgot to mention that Thomas was the first into Lake Ontario.  Great going, my man.
Today was a nice day. The kids, and Tom and I were happy to not have to wake up at 5:30 to throw lines.
We had a leisurely morning, caught up on schoolwork and played at the beach and playground. Crossing Lake Ontario was not nearly as eventful as Eerie, thankfully.  We are now in Oswego, NY and we plan to start down the Eerie Canal tomorrow.  The kids will get a lesson in helping with lines on the locks.
These locks are numerous, but not so drastic as the Welland Canal.  We will take several days to go down this canal . We even listened to the song about the Eerie Canal today.

This photo is leaving St. Catharine , ON, Canada this afternoon.  I really enjoyed that town!!

We Did the Welland

September14

Wow , what a day.  We went through the Welland Canal today. It was truly an exciting experience.
This canal connects Lake Eerie to Lake Ontario and it raises or drops (which we did) 325 feet in a series of  locks traversing 23 miles.  It took us only 6 hours to go through, which is fairly quick.  Commercial shipping traffic has the right of way. We only had to wait once for a large freighter to pass us by.

Tom and I were anxious for days about going through these locks.  We had a captain, Roger, take us through and he made it really easy for us.  His knowledge and experience were priceless. He explained the history of the canal and my duties. In the far distance is Lake Ontario.

The kids watched us go down lock after lock.

 This canal is the manmade alternative to going down Niagra Falls.  I'll take that any day.  We decided to save the visit to Niagra Falls (only 6 miles away) for the return trip to Michigan. Look at this drop.
It is amazing that these locks are all gravity fed!! They were built in 1910 and it took 25 years to complete.

Roger took us all the way to St. Catharine, ON. We spent the night at this oasis of a town. It has a nice beach, playground and of course: ice cream!!!

Rough Day

Today was one of those days that I knew would happen, but dreaded its occurance.

Lake Eerie lived up to her reputation: fickle, unpredictable and wild.  We left Sandusky, Ohio and
our goal was to make it to Port Colborn, Ontario.  There were six foot waves!!! They had forecasted 2-4 foot waves!!  So between leaky portholes, leading to wet beds , and an intense game of pass the bucket(seasickness  :(   ,  and  no one daring to go below to use the restroom, we decided to take a hiatus in a town in Ohio (the name escapes me- it was solid ground) to decide what to do next.  After a few hours on dock, we decided to go the last 2 hours to Port Colburn to meet up with our friends that are going into the Welland Canal tomorrow, too.

Today was a real growing day for us all.  Despite that, I think of the nice blessings of the day: the sunrise over Lake Eerie, the green metal bench (ironic, huh?) that returned my facial pallor to pink, Emily quoting Sid the Sloth from Ice Age when things were really bad, "This is the wierdest herd I have ever travelled with!!", a family of monarch butterflies travelling with our boat the last hour, a great laundry facility at the end of the dock, a nice boat captain giving us tips for our travels down the canal, a playground that to me was no less than the rainbow after the flood, a boy for Thomas to roughhouse with, and the sweet kisses of my family goodnight all tucked in safely at port. To top it all off, a perfectly still clear night with a crescent moon and thousands of stars! Wow !! My thankful list exceeds my complaint list!!

I did however inform my husband that when it is time to enter Lake Eerie on the return, every alarm bell in this mother duck's head will be screaming...gather the ducklings and abandon ship!!  I just may drive from this point home.  Tom may need some company.  Any takers?

Happy 11th Birthday Emily

September 12

Emily had an awesome birthday. We ate birthday cake for breakfast. We actually made the birthday cake on the boat, and surprisingly it turned out ok. It was a little green in color, because I only had olive oil on board- but despite that, it tasted good. Emily decorated it and she did a fantastic job!!! We can eat anything as long as it is pretty!
Aunt Sally , Mackenzie, and Grandpa surprised Emily by driving to Cedar Point to spend the day with us. We all had so much fun. Our kids went from never having ridden a roller coaster to riding one of the biggest and fastest roller coasters in the park in a matter of minutes. That was not a wise move by Tom and I because by the end of the day they only wanted to ride the carousel!!! We live and learn!!
I wonder what we are doing to our equilibrium, we go from the boat to roller coasters....hmmm perhaps we should have thought this out a little more thoroughly.

Eerie IS eerie

September 11

Lake Eerie is appropriately named.

After passing by Detroit on the St. Clair River, we entered Eerie and wow it immediately became rough. It is a strange lake because it is so shallow ( only 30 feet) and so large. Thankfully we managed to escape any seasickness.
This gave us a great opportunity to discuss how amazing it would be if we were on rough water and afraid, and then have Jesus tell the wind and waves to be still. And the wind and waves obeyed. Emily said," That would be frightening, too, to witness that."  I totally agree!

In the great lakes family game....Emily entered Eerie first. Go Emily!

The kids got their first glimpse of Cedar Point- they are so excited to go there tomorrow.