Clayton is a very interesting small town. It's a resort
area with views of the Thousand Islands out over the bay, a large boating
community, and the Antique
Boat Museum,
which started the tradition in 1964 of hosting the nation's largest wooden boat show each summer. We spent several hours in the museum viewing and enjoying the history
of over 300 racing boats, cruisers, small canoes/kayaks, along with many outboard motors. In addition, a 106' houseboat built in 1903 for millionaire magnet Charles C. Boldt (more about him tomorrow) is being restored, and we toured this fascinating two-story summer live-aboard.
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| World record hydroplanes from 1912 to present |
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| Imagine racing over 150 mph in a wooden hull |
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| The Boldt houseboat under cover in restoration |
Cruising east down the main channel about nine miles to Alexandria Bay gave us our first opportunity to
see a few of the 1,800 very rocky islands with homes/cottages that occupy this
part of the river. Around here, an island is defined as being at least two feet
above water year-round and being able to support at least one tree. Some islands, as small as a one-car garage, support a tiny summer cottage, and some are large
enough to have multiple million-dollar homes with boat houses. There are no
bridges, so all these owners must use boats for access in the summer, and some use jet skis
in the winter. We poked along taking pictures and being continually fascinated
by the incredible variety of sizes, materials and styles.
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| No grass to mow or neighbors around |
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| Fit for a king |
Our stop in Alexandria
Bay, another resort and boating
community, places us near Boldt Castle, which we will tour tomorrow.
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| Sunset over Alexandria Bay |
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