We survived well our first experience of anchoring in rocky terrain, but pulling up the anchor was hard work due to the weeds!
Leaving Picton Island, cruised through some smaller islands and then into the American Narrows part of the St Lawrence. This section of the river is about one half mile wide and up to 169 feet deep. Luckily no freighters accompanied us through this section.
We traveled past Wellesley Island (Am) which is one of the largest islands in the Thousand Islands and along the New York shoreline. Lovely summer cottages, some quite large and other small, many with boathouses lining the shoreline.
Next we go under the Thousand Island bridge which, of course, has to be tall enough for freighters or over 150 feet clearance.
We approached Heart Island and were in awe of Boldt Castle. We slowly motored around the island and docked on their wall.
Boldt Castle was built but George Boldt, hotelier and owner of the Waldorf Astoria. Boldt bought one of the Thousand Islands in 1900 and began construction of his castle as a tribute to his wife, Louise. He had the island rocky bed reconfigured in the shape of a heart-thus the island is called Heart Island. The castle has 6 stories with 120 rooms complete with tunnels, powerhouse, Italian garden, stone gazebo, dovecote, massive boathouse and a drawbridge. Three hundred workers- stonemasons, carpenters and artists worked for four years to complete the castle. But the castle was not finished as Louise Boldt died suddenly and George Boldt ordered all work to stop and workers to leave the site. The castle then sat for 70 years with weather and vandals taking their toll. Currently the site is being restored by the Thousand Island Bridge Authority.
We will spend the day exploring the island and it’s castle and the anchor nearby for the night.
Here are some drone shots Bill took of Heart Island and the castle.
Left Heart Island and anchored about 1/4 mile away for the night.