Rollin’ on the River
So many islands, so little time
Our time on the St. Lawrence River in Ontario, Canada, has been somewhat uneventful unless you count our little mishap with a broken propeller and being stranded in the middle of the river. We were informed later by several people that there are close to 100 propeller fixes per season due to propeller strikes on rocks. Our bruised egos felt a tad better after hearing that. After a quick fix by the repairman on call, we were on our way.
Following a stop at a marina for a pump out, fresh water, and a gas fill-up, we had overnight stays at Mulcaster Island and Georgina Island as we threaded our way on the river in a northeasterly direction to Heart Island and the magnificent Boldt Castle.
At the age of 13, George C. Boldt immigrated to America from Prussia and went to work in the hotel industry as kitchen help. He rose through the ranks to become a successful hotel magnate in the States, and was owner and manager of the famous Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City as well as the Bellevue-Stratford Hotel in Philadelphia with the help of his wife, Louise.
George Boldt purchased Heart Island in 1895 spending millions to build his estate which later became known as Boldt Castle. It was his intention to make the island his summer home for he and his family, but unfortunately, his wife, Louise, died at the age of 42 before the Boldt family moved in. He was so distraught after her death he walked away from the unfinished structure, never to return. Since 1977 the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority has been restoring the estate with monies raised by admission sales and other Boldt facility operations.
The Authority, like George Boldt himself, spared no expense when it came to designing the grounds of the estate. We found the most magnificent gardens with flowers in the shape of hearts throughout. According to one of the groundskeepers, 18,000 plants had already been planted this season and we personally saw several hundred more ready to go into garden beds.
As an added bonus, we also cruised across the river in our houseboat and visited the Boldt Boat Museum. It houses quite a collection of eclectic wooden boats some dating back over 100 years.
And now on to the next island . . .
Photos courtesy of Nancy Hesting
Your likes, comments, and shares are much appreciated, and helps readers find me. Thank you for checking in with me.
Hi Nancy,
I love this post, and the Boldt Castle is magnificent, along with the heart-shaped flowers. You and your husband are having quite an adventure, and these islands hold so much richness. Beautiful pictures, too! I eagerly await your next adventure.
Hi Nancy,
You are having quite the adventure. It's fun to read about your travels.
That castle is gorgeous but gosh, what a sad story.
Thank you for sharing the marvelous photos, too.