We enjoyed two days with the folks at the Mallorytown KOA. A beautiful park and we felt a bit pampered being able to walk over and enjoy breakfast at their pavilion each morning. Their son, Andrew, was getting ready to depart for his second year at McGill University in Montreal and we enjoyed visiting with him. One morning I ordered a 'Western Thing' breakfast sandwich and Andrew 'challenged' me to try it with mustard. I took him up on the challenge, and have to admit it gives an 'egg sandwich' a whole new personality! Had some good old fashioned rain - which we really haven't seen that much of this year, much unlike the family at home in Oklahoma. Got all my paperwork caught up on their excellent WiFi - right from our trailer.
Before leaving, they gave us their business card for 2 complimentary boat tours of the 1,000 Islands region. It was our intention to stop on the way to the next KOA at Ivy Lea (which was only a few miles down the road), but after talking about it we decided to trek on to Ivy Lea and unhook from our trailer. Arrived at Ivy Lea about 11:00 Friday morning - but thankfully our space was vacant. While visiting with the owners here, they made us 'an offer we couldn't refuse' when they asked if we would like a 'personal tour' of the islands. So, we promptly got the walk-about done -left the yellow shirts behind - and headed out for an evening on the St. Lawrence Seaway.
Susan's mom and step-father have a home in the area and a beautiful pontoon boat that they let us borrow. Dave was an excellent 'captain' and we saw several of the beautiful 'summer' homes and the famous "Boldt Castle" on Heart Island. The restored castle - fashioned after a castle in Germany is now the scene of many weddings - and we caught sight of a wedding party as we circled the island.
This out building is the 'pump house'!
This 'modest' building across the water from the castle was the 'boat house', built so the owner's sail boat could exit in full sail!
The tragedy of all this magnificence is that all this was built for his wife, Louise, who died before the castle was finished. Upon her death he left the islands and the castle was never finished.
Check out the 'play house'!
We also saw the 'shortest' bridge spanning international waters, as the house sits on an island in Canadian waters, while their 'backyard' is an island in U.S. waters!
We wrapped up our evening with dinner at the "Boat House" with some authentic Austrian 'schnitzel'! Got back after dark and had a bit of a challenge getting the boat to the dock as the tide was out. Which also created a challenge for moi - trying to make the 'giant' step up onto the dock! But, once again, I laid my 'dignity' aside and - with Roger's help - made it back on dry land, with only a couple of mosquito bites.
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