ERIE AND OSWEGO LOCKS - ✓ and ✓

June 26-28, 2026

It was a rainy mess heading into Oswego. Going through a number of locks I had on my rain jacket and an umbrella. Makes for a wet wait as you go down in the lock.

Who knew that the Best Western hotels have marinas, but we actually stayed a night on their dock at the Port of Oswego. They had the best fitness center that we have seen since starting the loop. It had all of the weight machines, free weights, and a bar bell for chest presses. Very nice.

We moved about 200 yards to Wright’s Landing marina for two more nights. Lovely spot as there was some amazing live music from the Best Western patio bar.

Very good band in the Best Western bar near our boat.

Fort Ontario State Historic Site is about a mile away from the Port of Oswego so we walked up and enjoyed a nice afternoon touring the fort and reading the history of the area.

The fort was originally built by the British in 1755 during the French and Indian War, the fort was destroyed and rebuilt multiple times through the Revolutionary War and War of 1812. From 1944-46 it served as the Emergency Refugee Shelter-the only official U.S. safe haven for 1,000 mostly Jewish refugees escaping the Nazi Holocaust. Returning veterans and their families took over the fort from 1946-1953 using the Officers’ Row and interior fort buildings for homes.

Took a walk with Bella along the Oswego canal and found a few animals-turtles in the water enjoying a sunny day and blue heron. As I was throwing the ball for Bella, I realized that a rabbit was in the grass. The ball bounced and landed right next to it. I think the poor thing was frozen in fear as it didn’t move. Finally, it decided to romp off as it realized ball = dog.

As you head out of the Oswego canal, this pretty lighthouse is there to say “goodbye.”