Upstate NY Trip Report Fairhaven Oswego Lake Ontario

[Catigale]

Spent a long four day weekend at FairHaven NY near the east end of Lake Ontario. It was a three 1/2 hour drive from Albany NY area which was uneventful. The NewYork State Thruway takes you there - I recently got an electronic toll pass that lets me pull the boat through the EZPass Lanes, so no stopping!

We launched from the State Park (we have an Empire Pass, so no fee) and docked there with full park access for $13 a night. No electricity or water at dock, but access to all park services including showers and beach

The launch ramp was fairly quiet, I stepped the mast in the parking lot. It was shallow, I had to go back to rear wheels in a few inches of water to both launch and retreive.

Fairhaven Park opens onto Little Sodus Bay, which has a large jetty opening into Lake Ontario. THe water is very clean and pleasant both swimming from the beach and from the boat!

There were no bugs to speak of - very pleasant conditions. It rained hard every night and cleared up every day! We slept three nights (Mom and Dad in VBerths, kids in center berth - other than a couple of bad wakes one night we were comforatable.

We took a break from the water one day and went to the Sterling Renaissance Festival which is 10 minutes by car from the State Park. Spent all day in 16 Century Warwick England. THis only plays on weekends in July and August btw.

Later that evening, with a fresh sea breeze, we went out in 2-3 foot waves which were spaced at 26 foot intervals....very uncomfortable. Turned back in and did a big loop around Little Sodus Bay and enjoyed boats and wildlife. Shallow in places...rudders and CB up!!


Next morning, We took a nice sailing trip up to Oswego (about 12 miles) and enjoyed the birds and view of the bluffs all the way up. Oswego is the terminus of the Oswego Canal, part of the Erie Canal System. You can inland travel all the way into Lake Cayuga or Seneca via the system from here.

We alternated between 10 mph winds and calm - which was actually a nice way to enjoy the water and sunshine.

We didnt stop on the way home, but I thought I heard a new noise from the hitch. When I broke the boat off the car, I found my hitch ball was loose enough to rotate. I took it to garage and had them torque the h*** out of it.

All in all, a nice trip and one we will repeat each summer!

[Mark Prouty]

Ah, that Mac sure provides memories!

[Don B]

I think the last time I remember being as hot as I am most of the summer here in Raleigh,NC was at the "Sterling Renaissance Festival " you talk about. But still had fun there ! Even if the better half beat me at the Axe throwing contest.

-Don B