After surviving the Oswego and Erie Canals (with only one hatchet‑related incident), we rolled into Ess‑Kay Marina thinking things would calm down. Silly me.
Ess‑Kay is the kind of place where you stop for one night and somehow end up in a full‑blown conversation about internet satellites, boat Wi‑Fi, and why marina routers seem to be powered by hopes, dreams, and maybe a hamster on a wheel.
That’s when I got talked into buying a Starlink Mini. Apparently, it’s the new “must‑have” for boaters who want internet that doesn’t disappear the moment someone microwaves a burrito in the marina office.
The closest store that had one was just outside the range of the courtesy car — because of course it was. Before I could even start plotting how to hitchhike with a Starlink dish, a full‑time boater named Michael stepped up and said, “I’ll drive you.”
Fifteen miles later, I had a Starlink Mini, a new friend, and a reminder that boaters are basically the floating version of AAA.
Ess‑Kay also has a great marina store — the kind that makes you say, “I don’t need anything,” and then walk out with three things you absolutely didn’t need but definitely wanted.
Between the hatchet‑happy lock master and Michael the Starlink Uber, this stretch of the Loop has been one big comedy show… and I’m loving every minute of it.