Thousand Island Dressing

Tonight's Sunset from Georgina Island

After several unsuccessful attempts to set anchor for the night in the bay near Crayton, NY (thick beds of weeds—our anchors couldn’t get through them!) we cruised 3 more miles to a secluded spot called “Bath Bay” just off Picton Island, one of 1800 in this beautiful paradise of crystal clear water, rugged rock and lush green forests (oh…and some gorgeous homes, too!).   Two loons swam close yodeling a greeting, a high soaring Osprey watched over our anchoring process, and the high pitched sound of an eagle let us know he was somewhere nearby.  We’re in the north country!

Velsignet was the first vessel to get through Lock 8 in Oswego early yesterday morning.  Despite the threat of rain, the wind and waves looked favorable to make the 6-hour trip across Lake Ontario (hundreds of feet in depth!) and the additional 4 hours to our anchoring spot amidst the Saint Lawrence River’s Thousand Islands. 

Today, after having explored Heart Island, we left the United States and entered into Canadian waters.  Our first order of business was to stop in the small town of Rockport where Brenda checked into the customs office to receive a “clearance number.”  Afterwards, we cruised to Georgina Island where Velsignet is currently tied up to at a Canadian Parks dock for the night (In March, Brenda purchased at an "early bird" special rate a season park pass and season lock pass; this way we can enjoy the Canadian National Parks and Canal Systems without having to pay fees at each stop).  Tomorrow we plan to cruise through Kingston and begin our journey towards Perth and Ottowa via the scenic Rideau Canal.

Once docked along the wall between Locks 7 and 8, we took a bike ride around Oswego and got our first glance of Lake Ontario.  Protecting the Oswego Harbor are long and large breakwalls. 
The pointed "blip" near the center of the photo is a lighthouse.
Oswego is the location of Fort Ontario, a fortification that has played key roles in the French and Indian War and the War of 1812.  It's history includes control by the French, British, Americans, (and back and forth several times!)

Oswego also played a role in the Underground Railroad as people fled into Canada to escape slavery.

This photo was taken from the same spot as the previous one.  Notice the nuclear power plant in the background.  Throughout the east coast and into New York, we've seen many such power plants.

Oswego was once a ship-building town.

This was our anchorage spot last night.  Friends and neighbors at Long Lake...this scene sure reminded us of home!

There's been a tremendous amount of water coming from the north's huge snowfall and spring rains this year.  The water is still very high in this region.  From our anchorage, we noticed this dock under water (sit comfortably in your adirondack with your ankles in the water!).

Honey, should we build a cabin on an island?

We visited Boldt Castle today which is located on Heart Island. Heart Island was a summer retreat for George and Louis Boldt and their children.  George--a Russian immigrant--made his fortune in the hotel industry (including the Waldorf Hotel in NYC) during the Gilded Age (l1800s); he made famous the "Thousand Island Dressing" and "Waldorf Salad."  (Now you know "the rest of the story!")
The Boldt Castle was to be a gift to his wife on Valentines Day but alas, she died at the age of 42 before it was completed.  Heartbroken, George called off all construction, never to return to Heart Island, and the place went into ruin.
In the 1970s, the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority obtained Heart Island and has been restoring it to its intended splendor ever since.

This is the Boldt Yacht House.  Guy Falskow...is this the boathouse you saw during your trip out this way?
Because of the high water levels, the Yacht House is closed to visitors.  During a documentary video shown, it was apparent that it would've been worth the time to see if we could have.

The grounds of Heart Island were spectacular and meticulously maintained and manicured.
Notice the heart-shapes amidst the flower bed.

This was once the entrance (modeled after Paris's Arch de Triumph) where guests would step off the boat onto the property.  There is restoration of this yet to be completed.  

This was the children's playhouse, which included to bowling lanes! 
The Boldt family lived in this structure while the castle was being built.

This is taken inside the children's playhouse.  Reconstruction is underway to bring the building back to what it once was.

This is taken outside the playhouse...you can see how the water level is above the prominade and the bench sits in water.

Again...high water.

No...this isn't the castle.  This is the power house where electricity was created.  It also housed any electricians or workers on the property.  This building, too, was closed to the public due to the high water level.

The tower held a water tank for the property.  In the background is the top of the power house.

This was a terrace with statues imported from Europe.  The statues and fountain were found in shipping boxes, as were various building materials....all of these findings helped the Bridge Authority to determine what the Boldts had in mind for their completed summer cottage.

This is the castle.  It was built to support up to 100 guests.  Contrary to the hard rock exterior, the building's interior was welcoming and airy.

This is the castle's foyer room from which one could get to any of the other rooms (reception room, billiard room, dining room, ball room, library, kitchen, etc.).  The furniture in the house is original to the Boldt family--some was found in storage, waiting to be brought to the finished home, some was donated by the Boldt family.

This is the library room.
The Bridge Authority has done a magnificent job in including the fine details that were included in the original plans.

This was Louis Boldt's bedroom.  This was a pretty home and we're sure Louis would've loved it!

Meet the Canadian Customs Office Processing Center!  Yep.  Brenda--with passports and boat docs in hand--went into this specifically designated telephone booth (we could  not make the call from our cell phones or any other phone nearby), dialed a 1-888 number to the CBP, answered a few questions, received a "clearance number" for future reference, and THAT WAS IT.  For the next 2 months, we will enjoy Canada's parks, waterways, people and country!

At our place this evening on a Canada Parks dock, we look upon this bridge.  Apparently, if one wishes to spend winter in Florida...this road is the one that'll take you there!

We're back in clear, crisp water and Michael couldn't resist jumping in for a swim!
Note:  Many of the Canada Parks docks on the Islands have been taken out due to the high water levels.

This is Mike "at the office" for PSMW.