Before the 4pm service begins , boaters idle and paddle into the bay , gathering in front of the rough block pulpit . Hymnbooks and a donation basket are passed from boat to boat . Church leaders from the community take turns leading the services . There is often a choir and music . For those needing a boat ride to the service there is a shuttle from the Water St . dock next to the kayak office from 3-3:30 pm .
David Wallace , who owned the island , donated the bay to the town of Gananoque after his death , on the condition that services are held there on Sundays throughout the summer months .
Our final stop was McDonald Island , part of Thousand Island National Park , one of Canada ’ s oldest national parks . Kim Robinson , Visitor Experience Manager for the park , explained that the park was created in 1904 in an era when wealthy visitors had purchased many islands .
“ People were concerned that there needed to be public lands so the average citizen could enjoy this beautiful area ,” Robinson said . “ There are 20 serviced islands included in the park with campgrounds and other services .”
Back in town near the kayak office is a small sand beach and a splash park — perfect for smaller children .
The next adventure was up in the air with Bill Fox , our pilot with 1000 Islands Helicopter Tours . Fox is a retired Air Force pilot and our entire ride was smooth and exhilarating as we surveyed the islands and waters below . The company offers a variety of tours year round including flights over Boldt Castle .
A sunset dinner cruise with the Gananoque Boat Line was our final marine adventure of the day . It had it all : a delicious dinner , local entertainment , a lovely sunset , and a tour of Boldt Castle . We passed the lavish homes of the rich and famous and learned stories of the area .
What exactly defines an island in this area ? It must be above water 365 days a year and it must support a living tree . The smallest is Tom Thumb Island , located just upriver of the Canadian span of the Thousand Islands Bridge . With just one tree and only a few square feet staying above water all year , Tom Thumb just makes the cut .
The international border does not divide any islands . Every island is either wholly within the United States or Canada causing the border to zigzag across the water . However , some people own two islands — connected by a small bridge and sometimes each is in a different country .
The signature attraction of the entire region is Boldt Castle , which has been owned and operated by the Thousand Islands International Bridge Authority since 1978 .
In 1900 George C . Boldt , millionaire proprietor of the world famous Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City , set out to build a full-size Rhineland castle on an island off Alexandria Bay . The family had fallen in love with the region after spending holidays here . The grandiose six-story , 120-room structure was to be a display of his love for his wife , Louise .
Tragically , just as the exterior of the massive stone castle was nearing completion , Louise died at age 42 in January , 1904 . Boldt telegraphed the island and commanded the hundreds of workers to immediately stop all construction , leaving the interior unfinished . A brokenhearted Boldt never returned to the island .
For nearly 75 years , the castle and various stone structures were left to the mercy of the wind , rain , ice , snow , and vandals . The stunning restoration of the castle and other structures hits its 40-year milestone this year . The work has topped more than $ 45 million and leaves visitors in awe .
New rooms are continually being restored to their intended grandeur as the work and maintenance goes on . Since my last visit , the kitchen and servants ’ dining room have been meticulously transformed . The grounds and gardens are beautifully maintained .
While touring the castle , be sure to stop in the media room for the short film on Boldt ’ s life . He arrived in New York at age 13 as a penniless immigrant from Prussia . He started working as a dishwasher and went on to become one of the richest people in the country . According to the film , Boldt is credited with inventing room service and coined the term the “ customer is always right .”
Across the water on Wellesley Island is Boldt ’ s impressive Yacht House that once housed his collection of 60 boats . A shuttle boat operates from Boldt Castle to the Yacht House . It is also possible to drive to the boathouse since the first span of the
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August 2018 WNY Family 11