Great Loop: Clayton to Boldt Castle

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Light house on St. Lawrence Seaway

June 23rd, 2022

We began our exploration of the St. Lawrence Seaway today in an area know as Thousand Islands.  A look at the map says it all.  The seaway is full of tiny islands.  They are all populated with cabins and houses.  Even tiny islands will have a getaway cottage.  We took our time traversing this area as there is so much to see.  We continued to benefit from a strong river current.  This allowed us to throttle back, get good fuel economy, and still travel at 8 mph.

The highlight of the day was our visit to Boldt Castle.  This structure was built during the Gilded Age by the owner of the Waldorf Astoria Hotel for his wife and family.  Unfortunately, his wife died, at the age of 42, and the home was never completely finished or occupied.  After almost 70 years, the Thousand Island Bridge District purchased the home, the island on which it sits and the nearby boat house for restoration as a tourist destination.  They funding for the this and the restoration of the facilities is all from selling tickets to  visit. Funding is not from bridge tolls.

There is a small marina on the island.  We were able to pull into the marina and dock Amy Marie.  The marina is suitable for boats under 30'.  The outside wall would accommodate larger boats.

We spent 4 hours touring the island.  You can then take a water taxi to visit and tour the nearby Boat House.  If you would like to get a peek at how the upper crust lived during the Gilded Age, this is a must stop.  




Thousand Islands Houses








Thousand Island Bridge



Thousand Island Bridge Ahead



Mike with Thousand Island Bridge in background



Boldt Castle



Entrance to Heart Island, Boldt Castle


Beth at Boldt Castle



Porch - Boldt Castle


Game Room, Boldt Castle



Formal Dining Room - Boldt Castle



Ballroom - Boldt Castle



Dome - Grand Entrance
Boldt Castle



Amy Marie at dock
Boldt Castle



Porch - Boldt Castle


Porch - Boldt Castle


Tower - Boldt Castle


Italianate Garden



Italianate Garden


Exterior, Boldt Castle



Boldt Castle


Power Generating Building


Power Generating Building


Power Generating Building - Boldt Castle
All Electrical Power was DC Voltage


Boldt Castle



Entrance Arch - Boldt Castle


Mike & Beth at Boat House with Boldt Castle in Background


Boldt Castle Boat House



Steam Yacht "Kestral"


Showers and Restroom Facility - Keewaydin State Park



Sunset at Keewaydin State Park



Berthing Information:





Trip Log:




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