May 27-June 1, 2009 ::: Gananoque Canada, Singer Castle, to Montreal

We departed Alexandria Bay and proceeded East to Deer Island cut and then North into the Canadian channel of the St. Lawrence . . . then West under the Canadian Thousand Island Bridge.


On the say to Gananoque we passed through the Gananoque Narrows; do not want to meet other vessels here.


The Gananoque Marina the bikes came out and we were off to town.



One of the attractions to Gananoque was the Playhouse. Over by bikes we attended a terrific performance of musical FOREVER PLAID by Stuart Ross.


From Gananoque to the Singer Castle we pass still more private residences, this one on the Canadian channel near Rockport, Canada.


Singer Castle, another 100 year old structure, this one has been maintained. Built by Frederick G. Bourne, the fourth president of the Singer Sewing Machine Company. See: www.singercastle.com


Shortly after we docked two tour boats docked and all of us gathered for a tour of the castle.


While there have been no horses on the island, we walked the horse trail from the dock to the SouthWest Entrance.


The South side of the castle.


The West side with the grass tennis court and tunnel under the court for servants to move without being seen by guests.


The kitchen windows, and access to the underground tunnels. Bourne did not want the servants to be seen by guests . . . he did not want guest to know how many persons were waiting on his needs.


The Library. To the left of the fireplace is a tunnel behind the walls that was hidden by a closing book case.



The Singer, the reason, support, for the Castle.


Breakfast room with windows on three sides.


The men's cigar and game room. The outside walls had little booths where they could in groups of four play cards, board games, or talk in private.


Singer Castle as SONATA pulls away off to our next stop.


Current in this portion of the St. Lawrence runs from 3-5 knots.


With the assistance of the current in the St. Lawrence SONATA speeds along at 11.8 knots instead of its normal speed of 8.5 knots. Great "gas" (diesel) milage.


The Iroquois Lock and Dam primarily serves as a block of the river current and water level. The drop we experience here is only about eight inches . . . did not even tie up in the lock.


Following the some 45 foot drop in the Eisenhower lock we traveled a short distance to the Snell lock for another 45 foot drop.



To reach the Beauharnois Locks there were two unmanned bridges. They were highway bridges and remotely operated by persons watching (not-watching) the bridge TV cameras. Used almost every radio channel we had . . . finally the Canadian coast guard came to our assistance, and after about an hour we were able to get the bridges to open . . . and, in reality, only because a commercial vessel approached. We then went through the locks with the CANADIAN EXPRESS and cruise vessel.


A backward look as we depart the St. Lambert Lock, our last lock on this trip. We will now go West on the St. Lawrence to our marina in Montreal.


Montreal in view. Going against the current.


Pay back time, against the current SONATA's 8.5 becomes only 2.3 knots.


SONATA at the marina, this is a week day view . . . the week end will be different.

May 26, 2009 ::: Boldt Castle & Alexandria Bay, NY

On our way down the river from Clayton to Boldt's Castle we pass some of the "little" homes that occupy their own island, or islands. This one on two islands.


Before Boldt's Castle on Heart Island, we pass under the 1,000 Island bridge that connects the United States and Canada. The Thousand Islands Bridge Authority is responsible for the restoration of Boldt's Castle. See: www.boldtcastle.com


Once under the bridge we have Alexandria Bay, New York on our starboard and Boldt's Castle on our port. This is the Boldt Castle Power House. It was to supply DC voltage to the residence.


George C. Boldt was from Prussia. Tried cattle ranching in Texas and lost, tried other adventures and finally settled in New York City to become the millionaire proprietor of the Waldorf Astoria Hotel. In 1900 he began work on Hart, he renamed it Heart Island, to build his hunting lodge for his love, his wife, Louise. 300 workers, stonemasons, carpenters, and artists fashioned the six story, 120 room castle with tunnels, powerhouse, gardens, boathouse, and a drawbridge. Four years later tragedy struck, Louise died. Boldt, with a broken heart, telegrammed the island to stop work . . . the workers laid down their tools and Boldt never returned to the island. For 73 years the castle was vacant and left to the mercy of wind, rain, ice, snow and vandals. In 1977 the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority decided to preserve Boldt's legacy and has since spent millions in the rehabilitation of the structures.


The Power House from the shore side of the island.


Pier space alongside the front of the Castle, the top of Heart Island, for our dockage and visit.


The boathouse across from Heart Island. Note the high doors . . . so that the mast of the vessels could go inside the boat house.


One of the older outboard engines used on the boats stored in the boat house. Someone else can tell us the make and model . . . this one is a little before my time.


SONATA alongside the dock, waiting while we tour the Castle.


Front entrance to Boldt Castle.


The center stairway of the Castle.


The upstairs, 2nd and 3rd floors still show the 70+ years of neglect and await repair.


This sign indicates who was present in the area during the period of Boldt's development.


The East side of the Castle.


Boldt used the "Heart" throughout the castle to show his devotion to his wife.


South side of the castle.


SONATA alongside the Boathouse, then we were off to Alexandria Bay.


The Municipal Dock at Alexandria Bay, New York. No services.

May 26 ::: Communications . . . . . . .

FOR THIS TRIP WE SIGNED UP FOR THE CANADIAN-AMERICAN PHONE PLAN . . . COVERS CELL PHONES . . . NOT THE "AIR-CARD" WHICH CONNECTS US TO THE INTERNET. VERIZON WOULD HAVE US ROAM ON THE AIR-CARD AT A ZILLION DOLLARS PER HALF-A KILOBITE. YOU MAY NOT HAVE UPDATES AFTER THIS . . . UNTIL WE CAN FIND A "INTERNET" LOCATION. WE WILL KEEP YOU'ALL IN MIND. BE PATIENT AND STAY TUNED....................

May 22-25, 2009 ::: Oswego to Clayton, New York

Departure from Oswego gave us a quiet passage past the Oswego Light into Lake Ontario. Wind out of the SouthSouthWest 5-10 mph and a slight ripple on the water. A very pleasant ride on our course to the NorthNorthEast; our next stop to be Sackets Harbor, New York. After a couple of hours the wind went calm then shifted to our bow at 5-10, a pleasant ride continued.


Entering Sackets Harbor the first vessel in clear view as INN PLAY II, the 69' Sea Ray earlier mentioned. We stayed at the Navy Point Marina; mostly sail boats, all being readied for the summer season.


Next to the "4" you can see a narrow slip . . . yes, it was ours. Bonnie skillfully backed SONATA with our 14' 7" beam into the 15' 5" wide slip without touching either side. We then went to lunch at the Tin Pan Galley. A cute town with many tourist attractions. Brig. Gen. Pike, a war of 1812 general is buried there, he named Pike's Peak in Colorado . . . something you may need to know.


Departing Sackets Harbor you pass the historic residence of the former Commanding Officer of the 1812 Naval Station. We then turned to the North to enter the American channel of the St. Lawrence River.


The cruising guides, the books talking about the LOOP, warn of the "big" ships that pass through the St. Lawrence. It is nice, comforting, having spent so much time in the Norfolk area so that the "big-boys", while respected, do not create fear. This was our first of many ships we would see on the way out the St. Lawrence . . . "The River" as locals call it.


Passing the first ore carrier and then the Cape Vincent Light surely placed us on The River, Eastbound.


The view from SONATA alongside the pier in Clayton toward the marina office, Islander Marina and Lodge. Very gracious and accomodating people. We then took our bikes and traveled all over town.


Part of the bike ride was to secure lunch and locate the Baptist Church. We enjoyed a great lunch and found the Baptist Church was . . . for sale. Oops! Upon inquiry we found they had relocated so the search continued. We found them, The River Community Church. Sunday provided a terrific message by their pastor, Dr. D. James Lewis, using Joshua 20:1-9 as the starting basis for his sermon. A very friendly church, a Great message!



Back to SONATA and a delightful lunch by Bonnie . . . we watched a 42' sail boat, SENSATION I, arrive on the pier next to ours. SENSATION I had been with us briefly in Oswego. Mike and Janice Skjelmose from Thornbury, Ontario, had purchased their boat in Montreal, taken it down Lake Champlain and across the Erie, up the Oswego and into Lake Ontario. They are on their way through the "Thousand Islands" then across Lake Ontario to the Welland Canal, Lake Erie and Georgoia's Bay where they live. We had a very enjoyable afternoon and evening with them swapping cruising stories.


Clayton is the home of the Antique Boat Museum which we will visit today. This Chris Craft is an example of what one will see there. Look at the varnish job...................!!!!