We decided that we didn't want to do the boat tour out of Kingston. One of the main things that Kev had read about for us to see on the 1000 Islands Tour is seeing the Boldt Castle, and none of the boats from Kingston even go by it. So with some further research Kev found a town called Rockport that we could get the boat tour at. Plus not only would we go by the castle but we would get off on the Island and would be able to explore the island and castle for 2 hours. This was the tour for us!!
We got up and hit the road. We were heading to Ottawa for the next couple days and this was on the way. We got there around 10 for the 10:30 cruise but it was sold out. So we bought our tickets for the 12:30 cruise and decided to just hang around by the dock. You're not going to believe what we found.
Have I said anything about the weather yet? Well Canada is having a heat wave so it's been hot...even for us. All three of us actually packed a long sleeve shirt and sweatshirt hoping for some cooler weather. But it's only Tuesday so maybe we'll get a break later in the week.
So it's time for our boat cruise. We are headed to Heart Island where we will get to wander around and see the Boldt Castle.
Here's the story of the castle:
Construction began on Boldt Castle in 1900 at the bidding of millionaire hotel magnate George C. Boldt as a tribute to his beloved wife Louise. Boldt Castle was designed as their summer dream home on the St. Lawrence River, in the heart of the 1000 Islands. However it was not to be, Mrs. Boldt passed away suddenly just months before the completion of the castle. Mr. Boldt was inconsolable and immediately stopped all construction on Heart Island, leaving the property vacant for over seventy years…
The entire island is gorgeous. All the landscaping and cobblestone walkways are beautiful. The castle has had some renovations but most of it is original. We could walk from room to room and all the floors and balconies. It was really cool. Plus all through the castle it had all the stories of building it and which room was supposed to be what. I took all kinds of pictures, so here's a mini tour for you.
These first set of pictures are the outside of the castle, some taken from the boat and others on the island.
That's Kev & Alicia on the balcony.
Doing their royalty wave.
These next ones are from when we were exploring inside the different rooms and architecture.
This stain glass is all the way up 5 floors in the center of the foyer.
Here's a close up of the stained glass.
This is a shot of the brick which is actually in a few of the hallways on the ceiling.
This is the tile from the entryway of the castle.
Two buildings that are also part of the Boldt family are not located on the Heart Island. One is the Yatch house, which is across the water channel from the island.
The other is the mother in law's house. Compared to the castle and the size of the island it is on, this is really sad don't you think? It's also across the waterway from the castle. I guess it says how he felt about the MIL.
Once we left the Castle the boat tour took us through what is called "millionaires row." We saw some really awesome summer homes all along the St Lawrence River. You can only get to these places by boat cause they are on islands. We didn't count 1000, but there are alot all through this waterway. This was a cool one cause it is actually half on the Canadian side and half the US side.
This bridge links the two sides together. 
Ok if no slide, how about a few hammocks right next to the water? 
Ok if no slide, how about a few hammocks right next to the water? 
Here are a few pictures of some of the amazing "summer" homes we cruised by.
This slide looked so inviting. Shouldn't everyone have a slide into the water from their island?
Ok if no slide, how about a few hammocks right next to the water? It was a great boat tour. So worth the time and we all agreed it was much better then the one we almost went on.
After getting back to the dock, we headed north and found our home for the next couple of days, which is in Ottawa. Kev and Alicia have the tour worked out for tomorrow. I tried to help but got quickly replaced. It wasn't my fault, but there were a few words exchanged trying to find our way from Rockport to Ottawa. Up until then, I had been sitting in the back seat and leaving the navigating to Alicia and Siri. Well, Alicia was going to take a short nap so I sat in the front and Siri kept messing up. She was giving wrong directions and then stopped working so we just about missed our turn and yeah....it was my fault. But it's all good, my plan worked lol and I am retrieving to the back seat again. You know when Janet traveled with us she always sat in the back, and now I know why she was so happy back there. So much less stress and way more relaxing.
Tomorrow brings on some new sights. Day 4 to come!!!
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