Along the St. Lawrence

As I peruse the photos, it’s incredible that I spent just 4 days in the St Lawrence River area of New York. While I didn’t feel all that busy, I do feel like I had a big adventure. It’s scenic, there’s wide open sky and sea, the River is extremely accessible, and most everyone is friendly and chatty.
     My agenda was to camp, bike, and take a boat tour; all of which I accomplished, thank you. What surprised me is the unique atmosphere and the welcoming locals and visitors. It is so beautiful here and people are happy to be here.
     Don’t get the impression that it was Pleasantville 100% of the time, of course. Cedar Point State Park was packed for the 4th of July week and the site set-up was not to my liking. The bike route along the main road is a faux experience -- signed and dangerous. Luckily, I’ve been at this long enough to have creative solutions to sleep and to ride.
     So, the Thousand Islands. There are actually 1,864 of them in the St. Lawrence River that are equally shared by the USA and Canada. In the late 19th century, it was a retreat for the elite, and now nearly 80% of the islands are inhabited though the area remains open for outdoor fun.
     Most of my time was spent in the village of Clayton that is built on a peninsula jutting into the River. Settled in 1822 as a river port for lumbering and shipbuilding, it then became a commercial center for nearby farmers and the growing influx of tourists. It also offers museums and galleries, an Arts Center, a historic Opera House, and of course, restaurants and shops.
     As planned, I jumped on a Clayton Boat Tour to peruse the Islands more closely and to visit the famous Boldt Castle on Heart Island. George Boldt came to the U.S. in 1864 from Prussia with little but confidence, yet eventually became manager and profit-shared in the Waldorf-Astoria. Boldt Castle, a 7-story, 120-room granite home was designed for his wife who passed before its completion. He then walked away, and following a fire and 70+ years of abandonment, the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority began property renovations in 1977. Quite a success story, love story and never-ending project.
     I’m in disbelief that this was my first visit to the Thousand Islands and wish to return.  At the moment I’m surrounded by the Rideau Lakes region of Canada.