May 26-28, Alexandria Bay

We left Clayton, NY, about 9 am and motored from the south side (American waters) of the St Lawrence Seaway over to the Canadian waters along the north shore and motored among the islands of the 1000 Island area of the St Lawrence Seaway. There were lots of homes built on these islands. Some of these homes are cabins and some are bigger homes with boat houses, pools and all the toys.

A nice cabin

Big house with all the toys

A house on one of the 1000 islands

Weather today is warmer (high sixty's) but overcast with a few showers around. Wind is SW at 10-20 and in the channel the waves are less than one foot.

We go east on the St Lawrence Seaway via the Canadian small boat channel and have a nice three hour cruise past the Canadian towns of Gananoque, Ivy Lea and Rockport. We did not go ashore in Canada as yet. We cruised around Wellsley Island and re-entered American waters and photographed a home on an island right on the border of the US and Canada. There is a small bridge that links the home on one island (in Canada) with the backyard (in USA). This is the shortest bridge linking the US and Canada and is a tourist attraction.

Our stop around noon is at Heart Island where we tour Boldt Castle and the Boldt Castle boathouse. The Boldt Castle is the major landmark structure in the 1000 Islands area and is directly in front of the town of Alexandria Bay, NY. The Castle (house) was built around 1900-1904 by the operator of the Waldorf Astoria Hotel and his wife and never finished because his wife died unexpectedly just before completion. Now owned by the Bridge Authority and being restored, the main floor of the house is beautifully finished and the grounds are beautiful. The upper three floors remain unfinished. Built before income tax in a time of great fortunes, it is quite a sight.

Boldt Castle with KOKOMO II on right at the dock for private boats visiting the site in their own boat.

Boldt Castle

Boldt Castle building housing the power plant.

Detail of roof of Boldt Castle.

Boldt Castle boat house.

Large ship heads upstream past Boldt Castle carrying towers for wind turbines.

Our marina on the 26th is at the Thousand Islands Club on Wellsley Island. This is a really nice spot with a first class marina, private club with golf course and lots of facilities. Some boaters we met are spending the whole summer here.

Downtown Alexanderia Bay.

On the 27th, we head over to Alexandria Bay and tie up at the city dock. Weather is clear but cool again. The low last night was in the mid forty's. We have a minor adjustment done to the generator (air in the fuel line) and walk and shop the small town main street.

Linda is bundled up as we motor to Clayton.

Beautiful home near Alexandria Bay.

Around 11 am we head by boat to Clayton (10 miles) using the main ship channel on the American side and have a beautiful cruise with lunch along the way. We pick up Ted and Cookie's car in Clayton and Ted and Owen return in the boat while Linda and Cookie take the car and we all arrive back in Alexandria Bay about the same time.

St Lawrence Seaway Bridge linking USA and Canada.

Lighthouse.

New home with boathouse under.

Older classic home.

We have moved to a different marina tonight and are now docked at the Riveredge Resort, a large hotel/marina complex with indoor pool and hot tub located very near downtown Alexandria Bay with more restaurant choices. We look out on the St Lawrence River and can see the large ships go by in the main ship channel and can also see the floodlights of Boldt Castle just across the river.

Amish Buggy.

The two women inside are wearing black clothing and are pretty well covered up.

On the 28th we go to Ogdenburg and visit the Frederick Remington Museum where we see a nice collection of his paintings and bronzes. We spot an Amish coach in town and snap a picture.

Cookie and Ted leave us this afternoon and head to Toronto to see some family, Linda Kay and Barry and grandchildren, before heading back to Stuart. KOKOMO II remains docked at the Riveredge Resort. Temperature overnight was in the low forties.