The crew of the Independence departs Oswego, NY on Lake Ontario bound for Thousand Islands, Clayton, NY. We are so fortunate to have this Great Lake actually acting like a lake. Just a couple of days prior to our crossing the waves were reported to be nine to thirteen feet. We cross the lake dodging large logs and debris but other than that it is as smooth as silk. At the three hour mark we reach the St. Lawrence Seaway at the eastern end of Lake Ontario, where the Great Lakes waters commence their 1,000-mile journey to the Atlantic Ocean. The first 60 miles of this waterway is Thousand Islands (actually a collection of 1,864 islands). Half of the islands are on the American side and half on the Canadian side. We pull into the marina at Clayton Harbor (54NM) and our good friends Sharron and Rob Grant from Jupiter, FL and Clayton, NY come down to the boat to welcome us. We spend the next couple of days visiting with them and enjoying this sweet town and their beautiful home here along the banks of the French Creek Bay. It all ends too soon as there are thousands of islands to visit and so after three nights we shove-off in hopes of seeing a few more.

Departing Oswego, NY looking across Lake Ontario

Thank you Rob and Sharron for a great visit to Thousand Islands, Clayton, NY (photo courtesy of Owen Doherty)

The Independence at the Clayton Municipal Marina (photo courtesy of the Clayton Chamber of Commerce via Sharron Grant (Facebook page)

A stroll over the Thousand Islands Bridge

A view of the swollen St. Lawrence River from atop the Thousand Islands Bridge

Rob and Sharron Grants gorgeous home along French Creek Bay

The Grants boat dock is under water but that doesn’t stop Bailey from enjoying an evening swim

Larry takes a chance with John the barber at this step-back-in-time barber shop

The Antique Boat Museum is definitely worth a visit for beautiful fast boats…

An amazing collection of vintage wooden boats