Even though the summer season is winding down, Swan Bay Park is very busy. We noticed quite a few large Class A Motor Homes pulling in. After googling events in the area, I discovered there was an All-Inclusive Motorhome (AIM) Rally here next week. I had never heard of this club and even though I read that it is open to Class A, B or C type motorhomes, the majority appear to be high-dollar Entegra Class A’s. There are several million dollars worth of RV’s in the park!
As busy as the park has gotten, I guess it is good that we have started packing up to get the Dirt Yacht ready to head home for a few weeks. The weather forcast is for some rain next week so Randy decided to pull the boat yesterday and he loaded the golf cart today while the weather is still dry. Randy was busy today rolling up the carpet, puttiing away all but 2 of the chairs, removing the wheel covers and polishing the wheels. Tomorrow he wants to take down the weather station and the DISH. He will probably keep the DISH hooked up, but just place it on the rocks in the back where we can still get reception.
I didn’t mind Randy pulling the boat because the weather has cooled off again. It has not been as cold as when we first got here, but we have barely been in the 70’s for the last week. We have been bringing the orchid inside the RV every night hoping that the small bud will bloom. Westminster temperatures will be in the 80s when we get home so that might help it bloom.
We have still been enjoying our time here in the Thousand Islands. We spent some time this week looking at other campgrounds trying to find one for a return visit in 2 years, but so far have not found anything we like. We looked at a couple in St. Vincent but didn’t like their location or amentities. We really don’t want much but I would like to at least have a gravel pad. All these had were grass and most were unlevel lots. Both were quite a bit away from any grocery store and even though they had small boat dockage, they did not offer much in the way of protection from the wind, etc. The only positive was they were less than half the price of what we are currently paying. If they had better boat dockage we probably would overlook everything else.
We spent last Sunday having dinner and sightseeing with Bill and Gail in their neck of the woods. Before dinner we went sightseeing on Lake Ontario beaches and the Salmon River. We wanted to go to the Salmon River Fish Hatchery but knew it was closed so we have it on our list to visit on our next trip. The Salmon River Hatchery raises steelhead, chinook salmon and coho salmon, as well as brown trout. There were quite a few fisherman trying to catch salmon but we did not see anything being caught. The only fish we saw was one large fish jumping in the Salmon River. A local fisherman told us the water was still too warm for the salmon to start running. They normally don’t run until late September to mid October.
The Lake Ontario beaches seemed similiar to ours on the Chesapeake. One main differene were the large bolders that state has been placing along the shoreline to protect the banks from erosion. We really enjoyed walking along the beach and exploring the Salmon River area. We always love lighthouses so enjoyed spotting the Salmon River (Selkirk) Lighthouse at the mouth of the Salmon River. The property now has a marina and rental cabins. The houses in the little community across the River from the lighthouse reminded us of the typical shore shacks on the Bay (before most were torn down and replaced with newer, bigger homes). Bill kept his boat there for several years tied up to a homeowner’s dock so he was familiar with the area.
Dinner at Rainbow Shores Restaurant in Pulaski had a gorgeous view of Lake Ontario and was a perfect stop for dinner. It was one of the better dinners we have had all summer. Randy and Bill both got pork chops topped with pear which were outstanding. I got one of their fish dinners and it was good. I would have preferred something a little spicier, but still very good. Their salads and desserts were awesome too! This restaurant is worth a repeat!
On Saturday, we took Bill and Gail on an end of year boat ride; past Alexandria Bay to Lake of the Isles, through the International Rift, through Eye of the Needle, by several of the islands on the Canadian side of the St. Lawrence, under the Canadian bridge span, back to Grindstone Island and finally into virgin territory on the backside of Grandstone where we made a quick stop at Potter’s Beach and back by Clayton before heading back to Swan Bay. Randy was happy that he finally made it to Potter’s beach. Potter’s reminded us of our raft ups at the Horse Farm or Fairley Creek, except most of the boats were smaller, go-fast boats. We were surprised this was our last trip out as the weather turned cooler during the week, but I think Randy was happy with how much we were able to explore this section of the St. Lawrence River.
The previous weekend, we also got a treat and shared Gail’s birthday with her and Bill wtih a ride on a Hacker-Craft from the Antique Boat Museum. The tour was a trip through the Narrows, around the end of Wellesley Island and back to Clayton which we have done several times in Sweet Thing, but this was a treat. This displacement hull vessel handled the chop on the River extremely well, if a little wet. Randy probably got the most wet with him sitting in the back but the other couple took some water too when we turned and headed back towards Clayton. It was a fun ride and so nice to be invited to share in Gail’s birthday present!
