Erie, PA

We reached Erie late Thursday afternoon on a sunny, warm day. We were able to sail for a few hours in the afternoon - winds were from the west/northwest, and we were headed west/southwest.

After we arrived, Gary took a taxi to the Hertz rental place to pick up their rental car. On our last evening together, the weather was delightful, and we ate dinner in the cockpit -- with grilled pork & chicken cooked with fresh herbs, and accompaniments.

The next morning Gary & Kathy left at around 9:30, and were home in Virginia by late afternoon. They have been a big help to us and also great company. The rest of the trip does not require extra help - alas we are on our own now.

On Friday we did various chores, including a grocery shopping trip to Wegmans. We cleaned the boat inside and out and did laundry on both days. Later in the afternoon yesterday, we rode the trolley car for a mini sight-seeing trip around Erie, and we also walked around the harbor front. The ship "Niagara" is home based here -- on Friday & Saturday we watched it going out and coming back in to the harbor with some of its sails raised. We had toured the Niagara when it was visiting Washington DC several years ago. This is a replica of Oliver Hazard Perry's flagship in which he defeated the British in the "Battle of Lake Erie" during the War of 1812. He is a distant relative of mine, which has been traced back to the 1700's by family members, so it has special meaning. In a few days we will be visiting Put-In-Bay where the battle occurred. The websiste is www.flagshipniagara.org .

Later we ate dinner at the "Smugglers Wharf" -- I had fried lake perch and John had walleye. It's great to be back on the great lakes to be able to eat freshwater fish. Can't wait to have some lake trout in Michigan!