Time well spent...

We arrived at the boat on Tuesday the first of April. Many of you remember me telling you that the weather down here was sucky.....but only for a few days. The weather recently has been great, and so far this week has been just that GREAT!!
We arrived in a sunshine filled day with a temp of 75. The next 6 days have been filled with sun and even warmer temps, hitting the highs at about 86 degrees each day.
You really can't ask for better weather.

We spent the last week traveling either by boat to car to places like Beaufort, Morehead City, Cherry Branch and Cedar Island. We repaired and drank & ate well.

Today we took our truck for a ferry boat ride from Minossott Beach to Cherry Branch and then back to Minossott Beach, NC. and while in Cherry Branch, we drove to Cedar Island and were supposed to board the 1:00PM ferry to Oracoke, however, after looking at the schedule, we decided not to because that would only give us one hour to explore Oracoke until just about 4PM, when the last ferry leaves to go back to Cedar Island. It is a 2.5 hour ride aboard the ferry, so technically we get to Oracoke at 3PM.

Last Thursday, April 3rd, was spent putting a new seawater pump in our a/c system.....the old one just got tired and died.

No matter how you look at what we did....it was a great week.

Next week we will be attending boat shows in Oriental and the on Kent Island, (Annapolis) Md. We should be back in Clyde, NY on Monday the 14th. I am looking forward to both shows, but especially the one here in Oriental because it is under the direction of the local Rotary Club

The Demise of B-Dockers.COM

Today is the last day for B-Dockers.com. I do not have the time or access needed to continue it as it's webmaster.......So today it comes down completely.

If you are searching for either Dockers Restaurant or Oak Park Resort Maina, please do not search through this website. Thank You...

Al  Baris

Continuance of our "Once in a Lifetime Trip"

A lot of folks feel that we have gotten out of boating to enter the realm of RV'ing. NOT TRUE. We are out of Oak Park Marina and B-Dock, but our boating lifestyle will linger on...LOL...We are on our way back down to North Carolina and The Lucky Find III on the 1st of April......from there I will continue keeping everyone informed as we get South enough to say we are at Manatee Bay in the Florida Keys.

For It is TIme...and for every time, there is a season!!

There comes a time in every persons life when they must move on.

 As many of you know, we bought a travel trailer (RV)  that we expected to keep at Oak Park Resort Marina, however, the owner of the marina told us yesterday that the local code enforcement officer had declined his request to have campers at the marina.......so based on that, we will not be coming back to Oak Park Resort Marina this year. we have sold our 34' houseboat and therefore can see no reason to return this year.

Now, as the old saying goes, "everything happens for a reason".......and we feel a bit empty that we have to leave the Oak Park Resort Marina "family", but also it is a  relief to know that there are other campsites and marinas nearby and available that welcome both an RV and a boat and us. In fact it took all of 30 minutes to find a place close enough, with a tight knit atmosphere. Between Lake Ontario and the Erie Canal there are hundreds of other marinas / campgrounds out there

We contracted with River Forest Park Campground and Marina in Weedsport, NY , and we will be using our 21' Center Console boat on the Erie Canal this summer. (Weedsport is about 20 minutes East of Clyde, while Oak Park was 15 minutes to the North of Clyde)

So....in signing out of Oak Park, I want to extend a deep thank you to all our friends , especially those on B-Dock,  and others throughout the marina, and former owners and founders of Oak Park Marina,  Ed & Joanne  and Todd (Michele) Lupo, former owners of Oak Park Resort Marina, Robb (Michele) Lubin and current owners Mike(Jill) Virts,  and their daughters for all they have done to promote boating on Lake Ontario, and to help us become the real boaters we  are. And a special thanks to Ian Phillips, and Tim Hale & Greg Hoose (employees of marina) for their special help when needed.


Thank you all,

Al & Dottie Baris (Former B-Dockers)

I think I Found our Tow Vehicle!!

Today, Saturday the 22nd of March, I took a ride to Lessord Motors in Sodus, NY. Now, Lessord is a Chrysler-Dodge dealer that I have dealt with at least 4 times in the past few years. Spoke to Don Lessord and told him what type of vehicle I needed. Then he turned to Amy Brown, a sales woman working there, and she showed me a few trucks.

One in particular caught my eye.

2011 Dodge RAM Truck Right front view

Left rear quarter-panel

Rear Tailgate view

Right side of truck

Interior- Driver's side

View from behind the wheel

Dashboard view with mileage showing a mere 45K

A 2011 Dodge RAM  1500 S. She gave me a price with taking my Chrysler Sebring in on a trade, and I was home in a few minutes, told Dottie of my find and we both went back to Lessord. After Dottie's approval, I gave AMY the check for payment in full.

So now we own  a 2010 RV and a 2011 Dodge RAM truck to pull it with.

See all pictures of RV and Tow Vehicle HERE

And...Life is Good!!

How to get a refund, without really trying

Well, Today is the 19th of March and me and this travel trailer are not seeing eye to eye....so, I told my story to the salesman who sold us the unit and he immediately refunded my money....every penny of it. No questions asked
And then off to Ballantyne in Victor, NY I went, where I was able to buy a three year newer RV for the same money. You see, they were having a RV Show and Sale beginning the 21st and going through to the 30th of the month. By going two days earlier, I had a better choice.



And... Life is Good!

So now, we own a 2010 Keystone Sprinter Select. Keystone is a better manufacturer and newer model. Everything else is the same, interior size, etc. So now, at least I feel I was not taken advantage of.   However, I still need a tow vehicle.

See pictures of the newest RV, HERE make sure you check out this link also.

Why Should We Buy an RV trailer, ...or as it better known an R.V.?

Well....we have been home since the 23rd of February a few weeks now, and we  just finished getting caught up with paperwork and other pressing matters.

What can we do today?......Went to Karen's for dinner and then we decided we needed a place to rest our heads at Oak Park Resort Marina this coming season.
I put our houseboat on the market this past Saturday along with our Chrysler Sebring, figuring the car will sell first. Well, I was wrong. The boat immediately sold and the car still sits. Now, what to do with the found cash.....Lets buy a Travel Trailer, we can park it Oak Park Resort Marina, and instead of living on the houseboat when we are there, live in the Travel Trailer and we still own our 21' Center Console to  get around Sodus Bay with.

On Monday the 10th of March we took a car ride to Churchville, just South of Rochester, NY  and there she was. I bought it at Camping World of Rochester.

On our website, there is a short story there as why and how much we paid, but now all I know is we own a 2007 Travel Trailer.
We bought it because Dottie fell in love with the name of it...Thor by Dutchmen RV's

So, if you would like to see it go here: See our newest addition by clicking here for the full picture gallery and scoop.

So here is our plans now: River Forest RV Park and Marina when we are up North
The Harbor Club at River Dunes when we are in Oriental, NC (Spring & Fall)  aboard Lucky Find III and best of all
all winter we will at the Manatee Bay Club in Key Largo, FL will be spent in the Florida Keys, also aboard the Lucky Find III

OOPS, I forgot to tell you

We have a manager at this marina who has a friend that is dying of cancer.  He asked me to take care of his funeral when he dies which should be shortly.....I explained what I knew about North Carolina law, after I spoke to a North Carolina funeral director.
I guess I will do it, but I have to remain within the  laws of NC.





UPDATE:

Bruce died on February 4th, 2014....

Secondly....between funerals and weather, we have decided to stay put here in Oriental, NC for a few more months. Earlier today it was 65 degrees and sunny, and although it is 80 degrees and sunny in the Florida keys...we will remain here.

We are flying into Florida for a 10 day much needed vacation in the Florida Keys. Then back to New Bern, NC and Oriental on the 19th. We plan on attending the Miami Boat show which runs from the 13th to the 17th of February. On February 21st ( my 60th B-Day), we leave New Bern for New York. Sometime during the second in April we will resume by leaving NY for Oriental, NC.

Woke up this AM.....and

Damm...sure enough, It is only 12 degrees and there is about an inch of ice and snow. So, I said to Dottie......"Well we have a car, lets drive south and spend a few days just moseying around South Carolina for a while.. We can't go anywhere with the boat because it is just too freaking cold outside.

So off we go to Myrtle Beach, SC for a few days.....where at least they have temps in 30's and 40's......and no snow.

We had a great time and ate like pigs.....you have to remember, just about all restaurants are seafood buffets in Myrtle Beach, and it is served Calabash style. It has been over 40 years since I was there, and as the saying goes, it grew and grew....a lot less golf but a lot more restaurants, stores and malls.
Kind of an urban sprawl that I like!!.

Tonight, which is our last night in SC.
We went to a German Restaurant. The food was great and served home style.
Now I know why German women and men are a bit chunky.....lol....all you can eat, $13.95 per person incudes drinks and dessert.
And entertainment was an older German fellow playing his accordion. We had a great time

North Carolina is bracing for their first real winter in over 20 years.

Forecast for traveling with boat does not look good.....really cold with temps in single digits for the 24th through the 30th. Snow expected on the 28th of January .....maybe a total of 3 inches.....and I thought I had left NY specifically to get away from this.

Three inches, WOW, coming from Rochester, NY to North Carolina, really,  what the heck is 3 inches of snow??. In Rochester area we get storms with like 20,25 and 30 inches and more, but 3 inches.....why all the fuss.
Because NC does not own any plows, at least coastal North Carolina.
And what a difference the right equipment makes.

I went to bed tonight...and still no snow just like hail and stuff which makes roads slippery, but passable.

Another un-eventful flight from NY to NC

Well....OK maybe a bit eventful. Got a call from US Air, the flights I am booked on may be cancelled due to inclement weather in Charlotte, NC  and the type of turbo-props I am booked on., but they rearranged my schedule. Can I be at the airport by 6:00AM.......I said what airport, they said LGA, and they would fly me to LGA tonight if I am willing for free.

I had a wake-up call scheduled for 4AM and then rushed to make it by 6:00 AM to airport. US AIR put me on a flight from LGA to CLT to EWN.

I arrived as scheduled at Noon in New Bern and back on boat by 1:30PM......with a freezing rain and a local forecast of cold and winter weather.

First....Back to NY for me

After being awake half the night, I have decided with the cold and lousy weather to go back to NY for this funeral, and come back on Tuesday the 28th of January.

The flight to NY was uneventful...Dottie drove me to the EWN airport and I was in our door at 7PM. The only glitch I had was that my flight from Charlotte to Philly was an hour late getting in, so they put me right out on a flight to Syracuse instead of Rochester.     More later!!

Well.....here we go again,

I got a phone call last night that a gentleman I know fairly well in Clyde has just passed and we will be handling the funeral. I spoke to his wife tonight on phone and told her we can do calling hours Sunday and funeral Monday.......she agreed.

Picking up Dottie at Airport

Finally.....I will be picking up Dottie tomorrow at the Carolina Regional Airport in New Bern, NC

Well....the 16th is out

Spoke with Dottie this AM and she said she in not flying down until January 17th, because our daughter Natalie is going on a new type of Drug for her MS....It is an infusion called Tysabri so we are not going anywhere for now. or at least not until the 21st or so of January.

Back onboard AGAIN

Yesterday, Saturday,  January 11, 2014, I drove down from NY with the intention that by January 16 we will be underway again and maybe this time get on down far enough where there is no ice, freezing temps or snow....we shall see.

Important Holiday Dates Coming Up Have a safe, prosperous and healthy 2014!!! HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL!!!

 IMPORTANT HOLIDAY DATES ON SODUS BAY

All are Invited to attend

1- The Annual Oak Park Resort Marina's Holiday Party held at Docker's Restaurant (Lake Bluff Rd. at the Southeast end of Sodus Bay), Admission is $25.00 per person (Including free wine) at the door plus cocktails. It will be a Turkey and Roast Beef Buffet.      Hosts are Mike &Jill Virts and Mike &Chelsie Connelly

Saturday, December 7th 5:00PM till closing.

2- The Annual Abe's Restaurant Christmas Party and Customer Appreciation Night  at Abe's Restaurant (Greig Street, Sodus Point). Free Food, cash bar. 6PM till closing. Hosts are Jamie & Laurie Abel

Saturday the 14th of December 6PM till Closing

3- The Annual Bay Street Hotel (Greig Street, Sodus Point) Christmas Party is. Hosts are Doug McCloud and Dini Martini and her hubby. Free Food Cash Bar 

Sunday the 22nd of December.4PM till close

4- The Annual Bay Street Hotel's (Greig Street, Sodus Point) New Years Eve Bash.  This will be Doug McClouds (Owner and host of this years party)  last year, come out and meet the new owners.......if you don't know them already, but most of you do.....LOL Free Food, Cash Bar

Tuesday December 31st 6PM to 2AM



5- The Annual New Years Eve Dinner Dance at River Dunes Harbor Club and Marina. (Oriental, North Carolina) Open only to members and their guests.



Skipper's Restaurant is on a limited winter open schedule till April (Closed Mon & Tuesdays)

Connelly's Cove is closed till April

We made it home with a week to spare.

We arrived home on Thursday only to find no home phone,( I hope I can get my old number back, if not we will get something close to 2011)Internet or TV. As far as I am concerned, Time Warner screwed up really bad. So I left them for Verizon.
I finally got a chance to say..."What don't you understand about the words..."we will be home Thursday?"" Do I need to spell it out. In other words, I need all my services turned on by Today", and they just shut them off this morning, not the day of September 26th, as they were supposed to. So, now we will argue weather or not I have to pay them for the months that I was not here.

Anyway, I did without Time Warner before and I will do without them again...Actually I will save a total of about $200.00 per month, as I was paying big bucks for their High Speed Internet.$90.00 per mo., phone $26.00 per month and cable with all bells and whistles for a mere $175.00 per month. A total of $291.00 per month.....Crazy, I know. Right now I am down to $39 for a phone and $19.95 for Internet......I don't know about TV yet. It will probably be Dish Network, Direct TV......or even just a digital antenna.....LOL

They love raising your bill, and they can't tell you why.....oh well, lets see who is sorry now......LOL

Everything else is good and we will be home until the beginning of January.....when we will drive back to River Dunes and resume our trip.

HAVE A GREAT HOLIDAY NEXT THURSDAY, a Merry Christmas and a Happy, HEALTHY and Prosperous New Year,(2014) too!!!!!!!

So long for this year.......see you next year.

Finally...

It is now 3:00pm on Wednesday, and we are leaving New Bern, NC for N Y. We will drive as far as Fredericksburg, VA, rent a hotel and go to sleep...When we wake, it will be a 7 hour car ride home....LOL

Days 50, 51 & 52 - Clean, Clean, Clean

And that is what we have been doing because we are coming home this Wednesday for the holidays.

PS....Wind is gone and the temps have been back in the 70's each day...

Dinner was at the Clubhouse last night (Veal Chops and Stuffed calamari)..
and will be tonight too..Crabcakes and Grouper