Day 24-26: Henderson Harbor

August 13, 2023

Day 24-26: August 11-13: Since we have been here in Henderson Harbor John K. has really been "on it" as John has remarked. He has come back and forth a number of times checking and rechecking the pump set up to ensure the right parts are ordered. Who would have thought these pumps are so hard to find, even from Garmin. After checking with Neil from NautiNav (who installed our new Garmin electronics), we ordered an Octopus pump on Friday. We are expecting delivery at least by Tuesday but maybe luck will be on our side and it will arrive Monday.

There is not much around here except cottages, boat houses, regular houses, small marinas and two restaurants. The road is quiet with not much traffic, making for a nice place to ride a bike or walk. I've been walking about 4 miles each day and have seen some lovely homes. It's interesting to see how they are built right on the water's edge. Given that there is no tide, it's no surprise, yet still something to see. In some instances it seems you could walk out your door and put your foot directly into the water. The views some folks have are incredible. Whether there is a storm rolling through or a cloudless bright blue sky, the lake is amazing.

We've also taken the bikes out, yesterday riding 8 miles. This is pretty good for us (even if we are on Lectric LOL). Before long we will be competing with our good friend Lee on the mountains of Colorado.

The properties around us include two restaurants (West View Lodge and Carbone's Waterside), a private home that looks like it was once a small yacht club of some sort and Henchen Marine and Fish Camp which includes a gas dock, travel lift, parking lot filled with sailboats that look abandoned, rented shacks and a huge metal shed. Docks are in disrepair, with no expectation of being renovated soon. Through conversation with John K. and a couple of guys who walked by and stopped to chat, we found out that a few years ago the water level in the lake increased so much that shops were flooded for an entire season and docks were wiped out. Folks repaired what they could, using savings since they didn't have flood insurance. Unfortunately it happened again 2 years later (2019 I believe) and there was no money to repair again. John K said some grants were available but people needed to spend the money first and then hope for reimbursement. In some cases the grant never came through so people stopped repairing. It is such a shame. I'm so surprised that the state would not want to support these folks and refurbish the waterfront for tourist as well as environmental reasons.

We had dinner at West View Lodge Friday. John enjoyed the perch, having looked forward to it all day since it's not a fish we get back home. Friday night was extremely busy as it was a nice night so folks could sit on the deck with a view of the lake and listen to the band that was playing outside. We sat at the bar which was quite an event in itself as we watched the extremely competent bartender take full control of seating people, pouring drinks, serving food and reserving rooms at the lodge portion across the street as well as above the restaurant. Her name was posted on the chalkboard as Fredde. John asked what it was short for. She said Hailey (???); her dad really wanted a boy so he called her Fredde. 😆😆😆

In the meantime I've spent a lot of time reading, finishing Lone Survivor and Every Breath You Take. I was happy to see a small library box up the road and already borrowed another book. I did bring a stash but like to grab a few others and leave some when possible. We've also played a few games, breaking out a new one called Phase 10. In preparation for the trip I found a few games that can be played by two people and Phase 10 was one of them. It's much like rummy with a few twists. John has also attended to some projects such as buffing the hull; something he has been wanting to do for some time.

Amongst the many sailboats in the harbor is a Nonsuch. This is the second one we've seen on this trip. I mention it because I did not know anything about them. Since John had mentioned that while out and about in Sackets Marina he ran into a lady walking her dog. During conversation the lady told John she was in Sackets on her Nonsuch. She proceeded to tell him a little bit about them, including the fact that they are not being made anymore. Investigating further I found out the Nonsuch line of Canadian catboats was designed by Mark Ellis. After several reservations about the design he rolled out the line in 1978 with a 30 foot boat with a wishbone boom, beam of nearly 12 feet and cambered house-top, creating a large interior with room equal to a standard yacht several feet longer. The boats continued to be produced until the mid-1990's by Hinterhoeller Yachts in St. Catharines, Ontario. In total about 950 were built in various models (sizes). Although no longer in production, they remain popular.

The lake and the weather change constantly. On some days we see 3 or 4 thunder and lightening storms come through. As the storms move toward us we watch boats fly by heading for shore. On Friday we watched the fire and rescue boat head out with three people only to return with five. The two men who had been picked up somewhere hung around on the dock for the longest time and soon a police officer arrived. We think it was a state police because we can't imagine this tiny little area has any police. Something obviously happened when a boat goes out with 3 and returns with 5 but no other boat. Yikes!