19 Jun 15

The predicted cool front came through at about 03:00; not too much wind (N10 - 16), but enough to swing the boat around and cause a bit of pitch and roll, so not much sleep after that, as the shore was very close on the lee side. Nevertheless, we got up to a beautiful morning. After a very leisurely breakfast and a nap, we got the hook up just after 11:00 and sailed and motored the scenic route to Gananoque, via the Admiralty Islands. We tied up at the Gananoque Municipal Marina at 13:00. Later, we walked into town for a look round and some light groceries; it is a charming little town, straight out of the early 19th century. Back at the boat, I finally dragged the old jib out of the locker, removed the lower pennant wire and attached it to the tack of the new 125% jib. This raises the jib foot about a foot (so we can see under it from the cockpit) and improves the trimming angles on the sheets; at least it looks good at the dock. Dinner aboard.

44-19.317’N, 076-09.902’W. We are now 0.8 N-miles south of our northernmost excursion at Mount Desert Island last year.

20 Jun 15

Another beautiful day in paradise. We did laundry, cleaned the boat, made a run to the liquor store, had lunch at the Gananoque Inn and toured the local Arthur Child Heritage Museum.  After a light dinner, we walked over to the 1000 Islands Playhouse and took in opening night of their new production of “Pirates of Penzance”. The director and stage manager updated the script to Canadianize it: the pirates, instead of being from the west of England (per Gilbert and Sullivan), were smugglers from the Thousand Islands during the prohibition days. They even managed to get in a dig at the current troubles of several Canadian Senators. It was hilarious and very well done; a gem in a small town like this. The Socialist Pig Restaurant hosted a reception in the lobby after the show; the food was delicious. We got back to the boat after 23:00, just before it started to rain.

21 Jun 15

Initially, the forecast for the day was not so great, but it improved as the day progressed. We had lunch at the Socialist Pig and then caught the 15:00 tour boat to Boldt Castle on Heart Island, NY (we could have taken our own boat, but Customs and Passport Control is much easier this way). The trip includes 2 hours at Boldt Castle, which was built (started at least) by a self-made millionaire in about 1900 as a present for his wife, who unfortunately died before the construction was finished. When she died, Mr. Boldt stopped work immediately, never set foot on the island again and left the uncompleted house to it’s own devices. After 75 years of decay, the Thousand Island Bridge Authority obtained it for $1 and commenced a massive restoration project. Now, the house and surrounding grounds are in very good shape and about half of the rooms have been finished in the manner originally intended; the whole thing is unbelievably opulent. We also toured the Boat House, which has 4 large, fully enclosed slips to house some of Mr. Boldt’s private fleet. The center bay has doors that are 65 ft high to allow entry of his sailing yacht, fully rigged. Upon returning to Gananoque just before 20:00, we stopped for a bite at the Purple House Cafe, for fresh, thin-crust pizza from their home-made, out-door pizza oven; delicious. We finally made it back to the boat just before 22:00.