Lake Ontario

We left Oswego at 8:00, the first opening of Lock 8, our final lock of the Erie Canal, on June 29th. Not particularly nice weather but the forecast was for calm seas and light winds. Past the lighthouse at the breakwater and into the lake.

The lake was uncomfortable at first where the river met the lake but it settled down and we had an uneventful, if gray sky day across the lake toward the NY side. We decided to not go directly to the Trent-Severn Canal but rather take a side trip to the 1,000 Islands area. It was about 40 miles across the lake to Henderson Bay, slight drizzle and fog that haunted us but never socked us in. We found a great anchorage in a small bay, and what do you know? The sun came out! We haven't seen that in days!

Nice peaceful night and up and at 'em early. We had agreed on 7:00 AM departure with our boat mates but when we looked at the weather forecast (rain) we decided to head out a bit earlier. Beautiful morning.

Around several islands and into the Thousand Islands area. Past a nice historic lighthouse at the entrance to Wolfe Island Channel.

And into the town to Gananoque (GAN-a-nock-Way). Really cool little town. Managed to clear Canada Customs after an odd phone call; turns out "eggs" are not allowed into Canada these days and of course we had some. After much back and forth with what I'm guessing was a new trainee, "we" decide that if "we" hard-boiled them "we" were probably safe. Otherwise "we" would not be allowed to dispose of any garbage for our entire 45-day stay in Canada. Who comes up with this shit? Thankfully we were not boarded by a SWAT team and were able to destroy the evidence in Egg McMuffin look-a-likes. Whew!

On the advice of our friend back in Brewerton, we elected to let someone else do the driving and took a tour of the Thousand Islands by boat. A five hour cruise (Gilligan anyone?) with a  two-hour lay over at the Boldt Castle. Bring your passports because it was back to the USSR.

Beautiful islands and the usual lighthouses. Do I have a problem with lighthouses and barges? This is a pretty cool lighthouse made of corrugated drain pipe.

And who can resist this tug, barge and excavator?

Or this gem? Summer job anyone? Man the lighthouse?

 But the castle was amazing.

George Boldt was a wealthy entrepreneur in NYC (a self made man, emigrated to the US with zip in his pockets) and ended up owning the Waldorf-Astoria hotel among other things. He bought extensive land and various islands in this area and in the early 1900's he decided to build a 'castle' for his wife on Heart Island. As the castle and buildings were nearing completion his wife suddenly passed away and he immediately halted all work on the project. Reputedly he never returned to the island and let the project fall into disarray. Years of vandals and weather had it pretty well ruined it until the 1,000 Islands Waterway group decided to restore it - and what a project! Amazing and still underway.

This is the 'playhouse' where the kids could have fun. It had a two-lane bowling alley in the basement.

Front yard of the castle. The first two stories have been beautifully restored matching the original plans and furnished with period furniture, much of it belonging to the Boldt's. Huge building.

This is the "power house" where the generators were located to provide power and water to the property. Designed to look like a castle on the Rhine that George had seen.

And this is the boat house which was across the water and we didn't have time to visit. The main doors in the front are tall enough that a sailing vessel can be housed without taking down the spar. Huge building.

Back onto the boat and cruise back to the marina. We were traveling on the St. Lawrence river, named by Champlain back in the 1600's. Someone decided to erect a statue of the patron saint on the banks of the river.

The Thousand Islands area is apparently the place to be; there actually over 1,800 islands here ranging from all sizes and many have houses. From cool little cottages on tiny islands

To up-and-comings wanna to be's.

To the real thing, nice summer cottage!

Back to the marina after a great day on the water playing tourist.

We started off early the next morning headed to Kingston.

We got located at a marina there and went for a walk through the main shopping and historic district. The Pan-Am games are being held in Toronto later this month and we got caught up in the "torch relay" which was going across Ontario.

We even got to hold the torch - but no running!

Hey - who's that guy in the Smiley Face Tie? Beats me!

Our boating buddies Werner and Kathy were having engine overheating problems and decided to stay in Kingston for several days to get that resolved. We didn't feel like staying and so headed off for Trenton, the start of the Trent-Severn Waterway. We spent two nights at anchor in remote bays. Saw this string of 'rubber duckies' in front of one cottage.

A peaceful anchorage in the Bay of Quinte.

We got to Trenton mid-morning and passed under the welcome bridge to the waterway.

Goodbye Lake Ontario and hello Trent-Severn Waterway. The Trent-Severn is 241 miles long and has 44 locks or lifts. This should be interesting!