Holy Ship!

We just arrived home from our 6 day blow-out birthday celebration in the 1000 Islands. Normally we don't do much on our birthdays, but this year was a big one for me...70! We happened to come across an ad for an Airbnb boathouse apartment on a small island that we have gone by every time we go to Alexandria Bay. Looking to see how booked up they were, the only days available coincidentally were around my birthday. How could we resist not going? 

What an experience we had being so close to the shipping channel. We saw a record number of ships and tour boats from our porch, the Sea Fox skiff, and our kayaks. We stopped counting and taking photos after awhile, but we know there were over 40 of them. 

The weather was chilly but sunny most of the time, and we were prepared for the cooler temps. On all but one day we had calm conditions. Early mornings we woke to swans and Canadian geese honking near our window and fog on the water ( and sometimes we could see ships passing by right from our bed). 

We even got to see the spectacular super blue moon rising. 

On our last afternoon, the owner of the island asked if we wanted to go for a ride in his 1938 Hutchinson triple cockpit wooden boat. Since we had been out in the sun most of the day already, I opted to take photos from the porch, but Dave went out with John.

John also owns this island called Devil's Oven. There is a small cave on one end that folklore has it that pirate Bill Johnston hid in it during the Patriots War of 1837. Now days kids on Jet Skis sneak over to jump off the cliff into the clear deep water.

What a memorable week it has been! 

' Mystical'

Last weekend Dave was invited to join a group of guys from our local outboard club that were going to the Mystic Seaport's annual Antique Marine Engine Expo in Connecticut. One of the men was displaying his outboard motors so they had to arrive early to set up. Dave said it was was so strange and surreal to be on the property before they opened to the public, with no one around. It was a good opportunity to take some photos which I have posted below (he even got to tour on board a fire boat when the Seaport opened).

Portage

The weather continues to dampen our recreational opportunities this summer. We have spent very little time in the Adirondacks, but a few days ago we went to Ticonderoga to mow the lawn, which ended up being in the rain. We sure are glad we went though, because this is what came by our house...

There was a man on board, complete with captain's hat (he had a great sense of humor and saluted us), that was using a broom to lift up the power and phone lines due to the 38 foot aft cabin Sea Ray's high clearance. They slowly made their way to the Mossy Point boat launch ramp and we decided to follow them. We didn't wait to see the boat put back in the water since the hauler went right to the hot water wash area to remove and kill any invasive species from wherever the boat had come from. 

We deduced that the motoryacht had just been hauled out on Lake Champlain (probably at the Ti ferry state boat ramp) and trucked the few miles uphill to Lake George. It is an historical route and how our street acquired it's name...The Portage!

Boat Show & Auction

Not only did we go to the Ticonderoga Car Show this past weekend, but Dave also took a day trip up to Clayton, NY for the Antique Boat Museum's annual boat show and auction. Luckily he didn't come back with anything else since we may finally be out of room. 😉  Below are some photos Dave took during the show. He said it best...the boats are eye candy! Enjoy!

Top 25

The 30th Annual Ticonderoga Car Show was held on Sunday and we took the SSR and entered it in the judging. People also bring along their matching trailers, so Dave couldn't resist making the perfect duo of the yellow SSR and his latest acquisition, a 14 ft. mahogany 1956 Aristocraft Torpedo with an iconic 1959 Mercury 45 hp Mark 58A outboard motor. 

We had quite the onlookers around the car and boat all day. We were going to leave before the awards, but we had so much fun talking with neighbors and car enthusiasts, that the time flew by. It was a good thing we waited because we ended up getting a plaque as one of the top 25 judged vehicles. In fact we just missed being in the top 10 by a few. That is pretty commendable for our first show! 

It was a gorgeous day and more vehicles turned out than anyone had seen in many years (somewhere around 300). What a perfect venue in Bicentennial Park with the lower LaChute waterfalls in the background. Kudos to the Adirondack Trail Riders who put this event on, and to the many local sponsors.

Independence

On a dreary day in Ticonderoga, we decided to explore Vermont's Mt. Independence. In between the rain storms we took the Ti ferry across Lake Champlain and headed up to the very interesting museum and its trails on a bluff that overlook the lake. The building itself was built to resemble a canal boat, complete with rudder and bowsprit. 

We watched a movie about the American Revolutionary War and how the Mt. Independence fort was built in 1776 & 1777, right across from NY's Fort Ticonderoga, to try and keep the British at bay. There was even a floating bridge made between the two forts. Unfortunately the British took over anyway and burned the fort and it's buildings. The coolest thing about the museum was a huge statue with four soldiers, two of which their faces came to life as they talked about the conditions the soldiers experienced.

With the weather deteriorating, we could only venture on two of the shortest trails. There was a lookout with views over to where the the La Chute River meets Lake Champlain, along with Mt. Defiance and Fort Ticonderoga. 

Another trail had a great southerly view of the lake.

Hopefully we will get to return in the fall to explore the longer trails through the woods while the leaves are in full colors.

Footnote: Mt. Independence was named by the soldiers when they heard that the Declaration of Independence had been signed.