Thousand Islands: Aquatic Fun on the Border

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For boating, fishing and fun, on Ontario’s border with NY Thousand Islands

By Danielle Aihini

One of the small islands on the Thousand Islands during our Uncle Sam Boat Tour.
One of the small islands on the Thousand Islands during our Uncle Sam Boat Tour.

“Where is that? I’ve never heard of it,” said almost everyone I asked before heading to the Thousand Islands in New York State. The name, Thousand Islands, is intriguing – are there really a thousand? Indeed there are! In fact, there are 1,864 islands in a 50-mile span.

The Thousand Islands, more than 1800 of them, are between Ontario and New York State.
The Thousand Islands, more than 1800 of them, are between Ontario and New York State.

This vast and beautiful area is located on the border of Northern New York and Southeastern Ontario, Canada and is the perfect destination for those looking to explore the boundless outdoors.

I know what you’re thinking – is this where the ever-popular Thousand Islands salad dressing was created? It was! Some say a ship’s chef created it while others believe it was first discovered by a fishing guide’s wife.

I toured the Thousand Islands with a group of journalists who had also never been to the area. We made our way to Ontario Orchards, a farmer’s market in Oswego. As soon as I walked through the doors I was welcomed with bright colors and tasteful smells.

I saw the bag of banana chips and within seconds they were in my hand. Strolling through the aisles, I read the signs for fruits, vegetables, bakery items, popcorn, canned foods, and more.

Dennis Ouellette, owner of Ontario Orchards, walking us through the market. Laura Pedrick Photography.
Dennis Ouellette, owner of Ontario Orchards, walking us through the market. Laura Pedrick Photography.

“I’m not a boss. I won’t let anyone tell me I’m a boss. I’ll work right there with ya,” said Dennis Ouellette, owner of the market.

“My favorite part of the business would have to be the challenge of completeness and people. We’re teachers here. I love it. I love what I do.” I could feel the passion radiate outward as he spoke.

Complete it is. Shelves stocked to the brim and the constant replacement of the ever-popular black and white cookie trays keeps the staff on their toes.

I left with a banana chocolate chip muffin and to say it lasted more than five minutes would be generous.

Oswego NY

Joshua Evans, a 13-year-old volunteer, at Fort Ontario.
Joshua Evans, a 13-year-old volunteer, at Fort Ontario.

Oswego, NY is rich in history and we had the chance to reminisce at the Fort Ontario State Historic Site. I had the pleasure of meeting Joshua Evans, a 13-year-old volunteer dressed as a 1700s soldier and Peter Sterback, a fort interpreter who demonstrated how soldiers of that time would have to reload their rifles while simultaneously being shot at by attacking French troops. He ended with a bang, literally, as the smoke left the muzzle of the gun.

Next door to Fort Ontario sits the Safe Haven Museum, the only camp on American soil for the 982 refugees from 18 different countries to escape the horrors of WWII and the Holocaust. The shelter was open from August of 1944 to February of 1946.

“It is a chapter in the history of the United States. It’s a chapter in the history of Judaism. It should be told, it should be remembered. And it should never be forgotten,” said Adam Munz, a Safe Haven Refugee. The exhibit gives a glimpse into the lives of the refugees, with passionate and knowledgeable volunteers.

“Immigrants want to be immigrants. They want to come over. Refugees don’t want to be refugees. That’s a diaspora,” said Judy Coe Rapaport, the museum board’s president and volunteer since 2000.

This same weekend the town of Oswego celebrated Harborfest, a four-day festival featuring live music and entertainment, art and vendors. I caught The Ron Spencer Band at the Jazz and Blues park stage before dinner and sat amongst hundreds of other music lovers and festival-goers. A couple took to the grass directly in front of the stage and danced to Twine Time by Alvin Cash and The Crawlers while the rest of us watched in admiration.

The tremendous Boldt Castle up close.
The tremendous Boldt Castle up close.

“The more you dance, the better I feel. And it’s all about me,” laughed Vocalist Mark Gibson. Laminating the grounds as we walked to dinner were locals tarps and blankets ‘reserving’ spots for the popular firework show a day or two in advance.

Uncle Sam Boat Tour

Visiting the Thousand Islands means jumping on the Uncle Sam Boat Tour and journeying across the waters to see islands of all sizes– and so, we did just that!

To be classified as an island, the land must be above water 365 days a year and support at least one tree, according to the Thousand Islands Tourism Board.

Fun fact: Abby Wambach of the U.S. Women’s Soccer Team has a family home on the Thousand Islands and as we drove past, we were greeted with friendly waves from the women sitting on the porch.

“My family has a place up in Thousand Islands in Canada and that is by far and away my favorite place on the planet,” said Wambach in a FabFitFun interview.

The boat dropped us off at Boldt Castle on Alexandria Bay, the most impressive estate I have ever seen in person. The history of the castle is interesting: In 1900 George Boldt found the finest craftsmen and began the construction of what is now a tourist attraction.

He had the castle built as a gift to his wife but when she passed in 1904, all construction was stopped per Boldt’s orders. For 73 years the castle continued to deteriorate until The Thousand Islands Bridge Authority bought the land for one dollar. Today, all revenue goes to the restoration of the castle and welcomes visitors to tour at their leisure.

The Antique Boat Museum in Clayton NY.
The Antique Boat Museum in Clayton NY.

To end the day we visited The Antique Boat Museum in Clayton after hours for a tour led by Executive Director Fritz Hager. One thing I know for sure is that every place we visited on our Thousand Islands Tour, we were met with extremely passionate and welcoming business owners, tour guides, and locals. Hager is the perfect example of the enthusiastic guide and local who truly loves what he does.

“I assure you that this does not exist anywhere else,” said Hager. The museum is filled with over 300 beautifully preserved boats from motorboats to canoes to the early model of what became a jet ski. Outside of the museum sits comfortably on the water George Boldt’s houseboat from 1902.

The boat was never powered and would be tugged around by another for guests to enjoy. Once Boldt died, the boat was ignored and donated to the museum 10 years ago by Andy McNale. We walked through the impressive vessel and saw much of the original furniture still preserved. The divots on the salon deck are thought to be from the shoes of women dancing.

Bassmaster Challenge

One of the best and most iconic aspects of the Thousand Islands area is the fishing and water culture. Not surprisingly, my most memorable moments were both on the water.

Getting ready to ride the bass boat with Bassmaster Joe Sancho!
Getting ready to ride the bass boat with Bassmaster Joe Sancho

In Massena, NY, the Governor’s Bassmaster Challenge was being held that same weekend and I was lucky enough to take a ride on Joe Sancho’s bass boat.

Lauren Wire and I got into the boat and left shore with Sancho starting off slow. We reached 70 mph in no time and I could feel my cheeks stretching behind my head. What a thrill! I couldn’t stop laughing out of excitement and I thought, “I wish I could do this everyday.”

“Does anyone ever sit up there,” I pointed to the front of the boat where fishermen stand while they fish.

“I don’t know if you’d be able to stand up, but you can try it,” said Sancho. With that, I climbed to the front and sat cross-legged with nothing to grab on to.

Within seconds we were at 70 mph again and it felt incredible! The sensation was unlike any other I had experienced in a long time and I was so glad I had the chance to go out onto the water with Sancho.

That night half of the group stayed at the Sherman Inn Bed & Breakfast in Ogdensburg, an old elementary school that was turned into a place for visitors to stay and rest their heads. When he caught wind that the old school was being sold, John Wade, an Ogdensburg native, bought the property where he once went to school.

The building includes four rooms each around 800 square-feet that were once classrooms, a dining room that was once the teacher’s lounge, a gymnasium, and a performing arts room.

Jackie Krause who once taught fourth grade at the old school cried the first time she revisited the property. “They kept so much of the shell of the school. The school has not lost its integrity.” The Sherman Inn was unlike any other lodging I had ever seen before. I absolutely love the story behind its creation!

Kayaking on Chippewa Bay with fellow journalists.
Kayaking on Chippewa Bay with fellow journalists.

My trip ended with a kayak excursion on Chippewa Bay at the Riverbay Adventure Inn with several of the other journalists. I tried a sit-on-top kayak for the first time and I was not disappointed. We made our way past Singer Castle, another tremendous estate on the Thousand Islands and stopped for a snack by one of the docks. I even got to jump in the water for a short swim, the perfect hiatus in the midst of what turned out to be a nice workout.

Dinosaur BBQ

Before making our way about an hour and a half north to see the Thousand Islands in Alexandria Bay, I flew into Syracuse where my journey first began a few days prior.

A shot of the beautiful St. Lawrence River.
A shot of the beautiful St. Lawrence River.

“This is the originial Dinosaur BBQ. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise!” Eric my cab driver pointed out every spot around Syracuse on the drive from the airport to the hotel. “I recommend the platter,” he said.

We went for BBQ that night for dinner and my meal was unforgettable. The ribs slid off the bone, the mac n’ cheese slightly burnt and crispy on top and the brisket melted in my mouth.

If you pass through Syracuse on your way to the Thousand Islands, I highly recommend a pit stop to this restaurant. I enjoyed it so much, I even went back a few days later before leaving New York!

Before my visit to the Thousand Islands I had no clue what they were. Now that I’ve been, I would recommend it to everyone and anyone!
There is something to do for people of all ages and the scenery is unforgettable. Believe it or not, I have already looked into taking a family vacation there.
View the Thousand Islands Photo Gallery on GoNOMAD!
Visit Laura Pedrick Photography to see more of her work.

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