The Thousand Islands - USA
Our crossing Lake Ontario from Oswego was relatively benign, other than the dozens of biting flies that appeared out of nowhere and continued to come into the boat as fast as we killed them. This drove Susann crazy, especially as they loved to feast on her ankles. Thankfully, as we neared land and the St. Lawrence Seaway, most disappeared, thankfully.
The Thousand Islands NY USA
While Alan was able to remove a lot, we reasoned it was futile in these conditions. The
decision was to ease our way into deeper water, well away from other boats and
structures and lower the anchor, root ball and all and 150’ of chain and ride
it out until daylight. Checking radar, we determined that this band of storms
would be with us until 2:30am. We dried off, put on dry clothes and sat for
anchor watch, monitoring our position on the GPS. Thankfully conditions calmed
by 2am and we had not moved so we tried to get some sleep, checking our
position frequently.
In the
morning, we were able to see, and attack the root ball with two boat hooks.
After a while, we were able to free the anchor of its burden and we were on our
way over to the docks at the Antique Wooden Boat Museum.
An aside
note: Susann wondered why our squall jackets had not kept us dry and upon
inspection found that the rubberized liner between the inner and outer linings
had disintegrated! Barely used, it had been years since we had worn them, but
now it is time for two new rain jackets.
Jacket
update, we purchased two new Helly Hansen rain jackets in Kingston, Ontario.
Susan left the two old ones in a bag at the marina dumpster in the hope that
one of the numerous homeless would extend their life. Bingo! We saw a very
hunched man combing the trash cans and wearing one of our jackets.
Antique Wooden Boat Museum, Clayton NY
The Antique
Boat Museum is one of the highlights in Clayton. A great example of the lives
of the rich and famous throughout the “Gilded Age”. A great step back in time
and well worth the visit.
There is
ample free dock space for visitors.
The day we
visited, the local 5th grade students were visiting and enjoying
this annual excursion, and for many, this was their first boat ride, aboard one
of the numerous instructional boats.
The museum
does a great job for the local students as evidenced by these youngsters
displaying their artistic prowess.
We included the guided tour of La Duchesse, the 100 plus feet houseboat, built in 1903 for George Boldt, manager of New York City’s famed Waldorf Astoria Hotel.
The vessel was later sold to the McNally family (publishers) who did some renovations and updating. The McNallys later donated the vessel to the museum and she was opened up for tours in 2005.
Some of the
boats donated to the museum require restoration, which is skillfully done,
protecting the history and integrity wherever possible.
It is
impossible not to be impressed by the beauty and craftsmanship of these
magnificent vessels.
Some of the
boats are in the water and one can purchase a ride on them.
Alexandria Bay NY
Boldt Castle, Heart Island NY
This castle is stunning, no matter which vantage it is viewed. The gilded age was a period of great opulence, which is evident all throughout the Thousand Islands.
Geoge Boldt
built this castle for the love of his life and wife, Louise. The magnificence
of this summer home was to be equaled only by George’s adoration and love for
Louise.
Tragically,
Louise suddenly died before the castle was finished. George immediately called
for the 300 workers to down tools and halt further construction. Broken
hearted, it is said that George never set foot on Heart Island again.
George was
born in 1851 to a poor Prussian family. In 1864, just 13 years old, he came to
the United States. He began work as a kitchen worker in New York and at age 25,
was hired by his future father-in-law to manage the dining room of
Philadelphia’s most exclusive gentlemen’ s club.
A man of
great organizational skills and imagination, he became the most successful
hotel magnate in America, managing and profit-sharing the Waldorf Astoria in
New York as well as the Bellevue-Stratford in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
After George abandoned construction of the castle, it laid vacant and exposed to the elements for many decades. It was purchased in 1977 by the Thousand Island Bridge Authority, who have painstakingly worked to slowly restore the structure according to George’s plans and numerous materials and artifacts discovered still in packing crates. The restoration is on-going, using net profits from revenues. Room by room, the restoration has been truly amazing, as the pictures will demonstrate.
We previously visited the castle in the early 80’s, before any of the rooms had been created.
Back then, even with the degradation and graffiti, the structure
and grounds were breath-taking. A lifestyle from the gilded-age that for most
of us, is just an imaginary fairy tale.
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