Monday, August 1

We are back in the USA and spending tonight in Alexandria Bay, NY - a very touristy town full of folks wanting to cruise the Thousand Islands, tour the Boldt Castle, etc.    It was a warm sunny day and we left Kingston at 8:30

Bye bye Kingston and the big city life

 and enjoyed the trip thru the Thousand Islands (actually 1,864).  After the War of 1812, they were divided between USA and Canada with Canada getting more islands, but we got larger islands which equalized the land mass.     So many wonderful cottages, homes, mansions, yachts, and $$$ up here. 

We toured the Singer Castle on Dark Island which was built by Frederick Bourne  (president of the Singer Sewing Machine Co.) in the early 1900's.    It was to be a hunting lodge and ended up this beautiful castle which is now open to the public, used for wedding receptions, etc. since 2003.

The Singer Castle

We are staying at the Bonnie Castle Resort Marina and after checking in, we walked to the Island Wanderer and took a 2-hour narrated cruise of "Millionaire" Row (US and Canadian $$$ homes), shipwrecks, etc.   The cruise ended with us touring the Boldt Castle.   What a story.....the big highlight of visiting the Thousand Islands would be to visit this magnificent home built by George Boldt for his beloved wife Louise.   It was started in 1900 and was to be finished in 1905, but in 1904, Louise died unexpectedly at age 41and George ordered the 300 workers to immediately stop work. They dropped their tools and walked away.    George never set foot on Heart Island again.   It is quite a story with such a tragic ending.    The home fell into horrible disrepair from the weather, vandals, etc.    In 1977, thru private funding, it has been brought back to its original grandeur.    There is still a lot to be done and it will never be completely finished as it never was for George and Louise, but it is truly something to see.

The Boldt Castle

One of the many "heart" shaped flower beds on Heart Island

Home of the Boldt Castle

Another interesting story about George Boldt.    He was the developer, owner and operator of the Waldorf-Astoria in NYC.    When visiting the Thousand Islands, George was served a salad dressing he really liked and worked with  the chef  from the Waldorf Astoria to recreate and serve at the hotel.    He named it "Thousand Island" because that's where he first had it and because of his love for the islands. 

  And now you know the rest of the story!!!

The Thousand Island Bridge which connects the USA and Canada

We had a nice dinner at The Admiral Inn which ended a great day on the water with so much beauty and history of this wonderful area...The Thousand Islands (1,864)!!!