Day 17, Saturday, June 6

I received an email from Desmond Marine, the place on the other side of the river, offering me a slighly higher price to store my boat on land, instead of in the river. I hesitated and wrote them that I had already committed to keeping the boat with the club. I felt Joe and Steve would be upset after I had already agreed to their offer to dock the Caprice at their docks.
I woke up to people outside readying their boats for a race event, in spite of the frigid weather and the expected chop. Some people were in shorts or t-shits, while I was sitting in my ski pants and wearing my hat, and still feeling cold.
I spent time cleaning the Caprice (especially the bilge) and then met Joe who I told about the offer of keeping the boat on land for just a little more money. Instead of being disappointed in my considering pulling out of the deal with the club, he showed full understanding and gave me a lift to their office to sign the deal - they will even come and get the Caprice from its current position on the wall and do the pumpout for me on Monday. Very nice people here!
I wanted to do some laundry and Sandy, a friendly lady in the club, offered me the use of her car to do that errand. This place is getting nicer and nicer. In the end I didn't have to use her generosity because I located a laundry in borderline walking distance, and I wanted to walk a bit anyways.
Next I walked along the river watching the various lakers go by. The AIS program correctly gave me the names and positions of all ships, I don't know what had happened a few days back when several ships didn't show.

Some of those ships are seriously large, up to 300 meters in length, and 20000-30000 tons displacement.

This one had an odd 'articulated pusher' design.

Traffic jam! Three big ships in quick succession.

I enjoyed walking the town so much that I didn't get back to the club until about 8, and by then almost nobody was left. I regretted not seeing Joe again, and Steve, but in 6 weeks I'll be back here.
Also to quiz Wayne about the Erie canal. I met so many nice people here that I should become a club member I think.