Spending Time in Sylvan Beach

Mike and I decided that we wanted to spend the 4^th of July weekend here in Sylvan Beach. It is such a neat little beach town that we wanted more of it! When we got here on Wednesday, we found out there was an open air concert that evening. We arrived before noon so we had plenty of time to check things out. Happy Hour was held on Dream Catcher. They were all planning to leave in the morning if the weather was good. We had some good eats and lots of lively conversation. About 6:00 p.m. we said our goodbyes to them and headed out on our bikes to check out the concert. It was cold and windy! You wouldn't think it was July, it felt more like September. Anyway, we met a lot of the locals and listened to the bands for a while. They were pretty good for local bands. The turnout was rather sparse, but we were told it was because of the weather.

Thursday morning we woke up to a much nicer day, but it was still windy. Because of the wind, our fellow Loopers decided to stay and delay the crossing of the lake for another day. It was nice that they did! We weren't ready to say goodbye to everyone. We were also thrilled to learn the Sweet Pea was in route and would be spending the weekend here also. They were traveling with another Looper, Inconceivable. Mike and I rode our bikes to town to check out things. The town of Sylvan Beach is made up of a great sandy beach on (freshwater) Lake Oneida. There are several places to eat and drink. There is a good size Dollar General and a great little deli – several ice creams stops – and an amusement park. The amusement park has a cool midway and several rides including an old wooden rollercoaster. The town's boardwalk, the beach and the amusement park all remind me of the 1960s. It's like taking a trip back in time. You would expect to see the Beach Boys and Frankie and Annette there. There is volleyball, but no beach blanket bingo……

We found out that there was a good Happy Hour at the Crazy Clam - SO, of course, that's where we all went. Then after that we went to the weekly car show. Now, this was a really cool car show! There were over 200 cars and trucks there on a parking area overlooking the beach. How cool is that! These New Yorkers do like their cars - antiques to muscle cars. Also, it was a beautiful day and evening with the temperatures in the mid 70s.

The weather even improved on Friday. While the others took on the Lake Oneida crossing, Sweet Pea and NautiNell stayed behind. Mike and I took a ride into town to the liquor store, post office and Dollar General. We also took a dinghy ride up Fish Creek. This was a nice area that had beautiful homes and manicured yards. Of course, each had a nice dock and boat as well. We came back to the boat to take a rest. We sat on the back of NautiNell watching the parade of boats going up and down the river. It was like a cruise night only with boats – all types – cigarette boats to pontoons to bass boats. At about 8:00 p.m. Mike decided we needed to do something. So we rode our bikes to the American Legion for a beer or two. Now this was a hoot! We are finding out that people are pretty much a like everywhere. They just SOUND different! Sitting at the bar, I felt like I was on a sitcom that was taking place in New York or Jersey! The Yankees were playing the Mets on TV. That was causing quite a stir! There are die hard baseball fans here! These "New Yorkers" can only yell when they talk and always have a very colorful way of stating their opinions. However, they all welcomed us in like we were one of them. Like I said – it was a hoot! BTW – the Yankees won much to the dismay of the other side of the bar.

On Saturday morning, Mike took the dinghy out fishing. After that, we rode in to town to have lunch. We ate at Harpoon Eddies on the beach. Great food and a lot of fun! We were going to hang around on the beach for a while, but decided to take a dinghy ride instead. We rode clear out and around to the beach where several boats were anchored. People were bobbing around just like home at TableRock. We also rode over about another mile or so to the State Park in Verona Beach, NY. This was the same. Hundreds of boats anchored out and people bobbing around. What we did notice though, is that most of them anchored near each other, but didn't raft up to each other - probably because of the waves.

That evening Jim and Dale (Sweet Pea) and Mike and I went to dinner at Splash. It was a little disappointing. Mainly because they were about out of everything that we ordered. Especially poor Dale. I think she went from a prime rib to a Delmonico steak in a matter of seconds! The server apologized and said they had been slammed all day. Anyway, it was okay but not the best. We rode our bikes around and decided to all stop for ice cream. Now, the ice cream made everything better. How can you go wrong with a double scoop of "Muddy Sneakers"! Now that's goooood!!!!

Sunday was Mike's birthday. The guy turned 65! I think there might be a mistake because it seems just like yesterday we celebrated his 50^th with a lake theme at Champs! I can see Tom Fahrig coming in with his snorkel gear now!!! We pretty much just took it easy. We did go for a short bike ride. Sweet Pea had invited us over for dinner to help celebrate. We went over for cocktails and a wonderful spaghetti dinner. Dale can cook! Since there wasn't a really easy way to get a birthday cake or a cookie, I made Mike a no bake Cheesecake and put a candle in the middle. I also bought him a hat at Dollar General. Hey, you do what you gotta do on this trip!

Monday morning Mike washed the boat and repaired the fender "covers". By covers, I mean trash bags. The lock walls are so hard on the fenders that most cover them with covers or trash bags if that's all you have. Later we moved over to the free wall so the guy could move his boat back into his slip. He had been at the free wall all weekend. They all leave the marina and tie up at the free wall on party weekends so they don't have to worry about getting back to their boats. Since there is no power on the free wall, they have their own little Honda generators to run their lights, etc. Pretty nice setup! Anyway, he wanted to come back in on Monday so we moved over there. Better place to see the fireworks and it was free! No problem with us! We hung out on the boat most of the day watching the crowd – either the boat parade, the car parade or the people parade! We were a lot closer to the amusement park and the bars so there was always something to see. Later that evening Jim and Dale came over to watch the fireworks. We grilled hotdogs and carried on. A typical Fourth of July no matter where you are!

It is still hard to believe that Mike and I are doing this! We are in Sylvan Beach, New York on the Fourth of July - on our own boat – watching fireworks and eating hotdogs - with Sweet Pea. Amazing!

Tuesday we plan to leave out early and cross Lake Oneida. Hoping for a good weather forecast!

Till next time!

Admiral "C"