Day 90-92 Oswego to Cape Vincent

Saturday-Monday July 19-21, 2025

SATURDAY: A Smooth Crossing and a Hidden Gem

We got an early start today for our crossing over Lake Ontario—from Oswego to Cape Vincent, NY—and couldn’t have asked for better conditions. The lake was as calm as glass, the sun was shining, and the temperature was absolute perfection. As we got closer to the St Lawrence, we were rewarded with at least 100 loons in the water in every direction you could imagine. We’ve seen many loons together, but nothing to compare with that sight! Just WOW! It ended up taking us just under five hours to make the trip, with a little detour to “open it up” and check the trim tabs 😉

Cape Vincent sits just a bit up the St. Lawrence River, tucked off Lake Ontario, and the approach was stunning. The water here is so incredibly clear, it almost plays tricks on your eyes—you can see rocks that are surprisingly deep, but they look close enough to touch. A little eerie… but beautiful.

We were thrilled to find an open spot at the municipal dock—an absolute gem. Recently redone, it features brand-new electric and water hookups, inviting benches, and cheerful flower planters lining the center. It’s got space for about six decent-sized boats (or many smaller ones), and we were lucky enough to snag a place. Within minutes, we’d made fast friends with the crews from two sailboats already docked.

The afternoon heat and humidity crept up fast, so we all jumped in for a swim right off the dock. The water was refreshingly cold and just what we needed after the crossing.

That evening, we strolled a short block into town and found a local brewery with live music spilling onto the sidewalk. We split a flatbread, sipped some local brews, and soaked in the laid-back vibe of this charming little town.

We’re loving it so much, we’ve decided to stay here for three nights before heading up to Clayton, NY. Cape Vincent has definitely cast its spell on us.

SUNDAY: Sewing, Stories, and New Friends

The day began with a gentle rain—perfect weather to stay onboard. I took the opportunity to tackle my big sewing project. Naturally, I chose the cushion in the worst shape… which also turned out to be the most difficult one to replicate. I made good progress, though, and managed to get most of it done before I needed a well-earned break.

The humidity stuck around even after the rain cleared, so we kept the air conditioning running (which, I should mention with a happy grin—both units are working again! ☺️). The dock was quiet in the morning as our two sailboat neighbors casted off and continued on their way.

By midday, a fellow Looper boat, “Sea Major,” pulled in. We helped Ray and Betsy tie up and quickly struck up a conversation. Plans for docktails were made and by late afternoon we were gathered with drinks in hand, sharing laughs, experiences, and plenty of tips. They’ve already been farther up the St. Lawrence, so their stories gave us a sneak peek at what’s ahead—and now we’re even more excited.

Our docktail session turned into a couple of hours of good company and great conversation. We wrapped up with a late dinner on board, grateful once again for the incredible people we keep meeting on this journey. Something tells me we’ll cross paths with Ray and Betsy again before long.

MONDAY

Our day started with an uninvited wake-up call just after 3 a.m.—thanks to a restless St Lawrence River stirred up by gusty north winds. While the wind itself wasn’t outrageous (15mph, gusting to 25), the resulting waves tossed us around like socks in a washing machine. Needless to say, sleep after that was more of a suggestion than a reality.

But by morning, the winds began to settle, and we were rewarded with a picture-perfect day—crisp, dry air, low humidity, and highs in the low 70s.

We made the most of it! After knocking out a few chores and some cushion-sewing (I’m getting there!), we hopped on our bikes for a scenic ride to Tibbetts Point Lighthouse. The route was charming—lined with a variety of home styles, many with waterfront decks on the opposite side of the road and rustic stone steps leading right down into the lake.

Though the lighthouse is still active and can’t be climbed, we were able to peek inside and explore the fog horn building, which is now retired from service. The visitor center was a treat, especially when the host demonstrated a manual fog horn from the late 1800s. Let’s just say it would definitely get your attention on a foggy day!

Back at the boat, we took a refreshing swim before wrapping up the day with a delicious pork tenderloin—cooked to perfection in my brand-new air fryer. Boat life at its finest.