June 22, 2017 - Oswego, NY, USA to Riverside Heights, ON, Canada

We are officially in Canada and flying their flag over Independence as a courtesy to the country.  Yoohoo!

Hello Canada!

But let's start at the beginning.  It has been an adventure since we left Oswego, NY.  To start with, remember that inverter we replaced in in Brewerton, NY, well it's not working.  It knocks out the navigation electronics every time it is turned on.  Result is, we have to run the generator while underway to keep the frig cooling and the icemaker freezing that all important ice for dock tails! Working on getting it resolved but not there yet.

Next up, remember that perfect day we were waiting on to cross Lake Ontario.  Well it arrive and we headed out, but low and behold, the wind and current gods were having a laugh on us.  Not quite as bad as our experience on the Chesapeake Bay but a pretty close second.  Since I had not anticipated a bumpy ride, I did not secure anything so needless to say things were flying around the cabin.  I put Roofus in her life jacket and she promptly hid under the table.  There was nothing in the world that was going to get her to move, so I joined her.  Problem is, I couldn't see the horizon from there so kept my eyes glued to the clouds while hugging Roofus.  She was not a happy puppy!

No, her eyes are not green, that is just how pissed she was.

Once Lake Ontario was behind us we entered the St. Lawrence River and the 1000 Islands region.  Technically there are 1846 islands.  Some have beautiful homes on them, some with small cottages and some with lighthouses and others completely natural.  All along the way it was fascinating and beautiful to see.  We docked in Clayton, NY for a few days, to check out the Antique Boat Museum and enjoy the town.  The museum is full of wooden boats of all kinds from canoes to speed boats to a 106' 2 story houseboat 'La Duchesse' built by George Boldt (remember that name for later), basically a floating mansion.  We did a lot of walking around town.  Didn't do a lot of shopping other than for groceries (which they came and picked us up then dropped us back at the dock when we were done) but did enjoy a wine tasting (of course, had to buy a bottle or two) and a local micro brewery which was fabulous as was their pizza.  We even got to enjoy a dog distance jumping contest.  It was amazing to see how far they could jump, 22+ feet as we left the still in progress contest.  Our moments bad luck continued when our wifi booster crapped out.  Ken is working on that too.   All in all, this was a great stop but as with the rest of the week, hit a snag, literally.  As we were leaving the wind drove us into the dock so as we continue to move forward our starboard bow fender took out a power and water pedestal.  We immediately called the dock master and fessed up.  There wasn't any spouting water or electrical charges coming from the now prone pedestal so hope the damage is no more than putting it back in an upright positon (more $$ to come, I am sure). 

We left Clayton with hopes of docking at Heart Island where Boldt Castle is.  Unfortunately due to high waters, the docks were just about under water.  So we headed down the river to Dark Island and Singer Castle, where they had floating docks and though the wind was stiff we were able to tie up and take a tour.  This castle was built in 1905 by Fredrick Bourne, the fifth president of the Singer Sewing Machine Company.  It comes complete with a dungeon, secret passageways and portrait of Sir Walter Raleigh that tilts back to allow you observe the library from behind it, while inside one of the secret passages.  Just too cool.

Singer Castle on Dark Island

Singer Castle - A view of Independence from the ballroom.

Singer Castle - The view from behind Sir Walter Raleigh's portrait into the dining room below so he could spy on his guests.  Great host??!!

Singer Castle - One of the secret passages.  Notice the black bars to the left.  The passages could be locked to keep the servants from overhearing private conversations.

Singer Castle from the boat house where we docked up.

From here we cruised back up the river to Alexandria Bay, NY to dock up for the night.  Since we couldn't actually dock at Boldt Castle, we decided to take the ferry the next day over to Heart Island.  I have been looking forward to seeing Boldt Castle for a long time.  Besides my obsession with castles, this one has a tragic love story behind it.  During the Gilded Age, George Boldt made his fortune in the hotel business.  Louise was his adored wife and partner who also shared his passion in the hotel business.  In 1899 he began construction on a six story castle that he intended to present as a gift to his beloved, Louise.  As the construction neared completion, he decided to present it to her on Valentines Day of 1904 but a month before that Louise suddenly died.  George immediately stopped all construction and never returned to Heart Island.  The castle as well as the rest of the island structures were left exposed to the elements and vandals for the next 73 years.  It wasn't until 1977 that the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority acquired the island and restorations began.  Over the years the 1st and 2nd floors as well as some of the other structures have been restored.  The restoration continues today.  It would be neat to come back later and see what else has been completed.  Love, Love, Love this castle.

Boldt Castle on Heart Island - lite up at night and our view from the stern of Independence.  Awesome!

Boldt Castle - From back side of the island.

Boldt Castle - Hearts are everywhere from the landscape to embedded in the stone of the structures to stained glass windows and even in the Boldt family crest.

Portraits of George and Louise Boldt

Following are just a few of the many pictures Ken took for me.  In order, from the main entrance to the castle, the wrap around porch at the main entrance (the wood ceiling is massive and gorgeous), Boldt initial B in a heart in the grand foyer, the dining room with original furniture of the Boldts donated by family, the grand stairway and the library. 

The 3rd and 4th floors have not been restored.  Some of the rooms have been cleaned out from years of debris and made structurally sound before starting restoration and others look exactly the way they did in 1977 when the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority took over. 

Boldt Castle - Exposed terra cotta tiles in the ceilings on the 4th floor.

Boldt Castle - 3rd floor room in condition as found by the Authority in 1977.

Boldt Castle - Griffiti all over the walls on the 4th floor.

Boldt Castle - Alster Tower currently under restoration.  This was a recreational structure and this view is of the 2 lane bowling alley which is back under the stairs.

Boldt Castle - Restored Power House.  Had 3 turbines that supplied the electricity and water to the castle and grounds.  Really wanted to see inside but it was closed due to high water on the river.

Ok, I'm done.  Can you tell I am fascinated with Boldt Castle.  Highlight of the trip so far for me.  With this fabulous stop completed we headed down the river to Morristown, NY for the night.  Our last stop in good ole' USA before we cross into Canada.  Very quiet little village but had a great restaurant where Ken got his steak fix and we saw a beautiful sunset.

Morristown, NY - Sunset on the St. Lawrence River.

The next day we went through the 1st of 7 locks on the St. Lawrence Seaway, the Iroquois Lock which in Canada.  We officially checked in when we got to Riverside Heights, Ontario, Canada.  Went very smoothly, meaning we have not seen anyone from the Canadian Border Patrol.  :)  We plan to stay here for a few days before heading to Montreal. 

Post script from Roofus:

I found a new buddy, Rhonda.  We met in Clayton, NY at the village municipal docks (the same docks where my humans tried to take a power and water pedestal with them).  She gave me treats and lots of hugs.  Rhonda has dachshund too.  How lucky for me.  She even made me a goodie bag of treats for the trip.  Based on what has happened since we left Oswego....bad weather, leaving me alone on a rocking Independence while my humans explored Singer Castle, then leaving me all alone the next day to go to Boldt Castle, I wish I could have stayed with Rhonda.  She is a great human!!!  Thanks for everything Rhonda.