A SPECTACULAR WEEK ON THE SAINT LAWRENCE RIVER

By Wes and Gail Van Dine

Our week began Saturday, September 14 with our arrival at Casa Bella in Clayton, NY, our home for the next nine days. This was a combined ACBS International Boat Show and Wine Country Classic Boats (WCCB) Fall Trip event.

We boated for five days and enjoyed sunshine, 80 degree weather and calm waters. Wine Country’s reputation for providing beautiful and unseasonal weather for mid-September was retained.

Sunday we provided dock support at the town docks in Alexandria Bay. This was the only day the weather did not sparkle. It was a good day to volunteer. We went to lunch in Kingston, ONT on Monday, cruising the islands both going and returning. Tuesday we participated in the ACBS pre-show cruise around Wellesley Island. Check out the ACBS website for aerial shots of this massive boat tour event. We are in the boat with the green decks—BLITHE SPIRIT. Tuesday night the Thousand Islands Chapter held the Welcome Reception at Bonnie Castle. Many food stations and plenty of hors d’oeuvres were passed. A good time to meet participants and old friends. Wednesday the WCCB crew crossed the river to Gananoque, ONT and visited the 1000 Island Boat Museum and the Wooden Boat Shop. Knowledge about the design and construction of Canadian boats was shared by a young woman who knew her stuff. The museum staff was gracious and arranged for a delicious lunch. We were also becoming quite used to the customs check-in process. We returned and walked from Casa Bella to the Antique Boat Museum for the ACBS Reception. More food and more socializing.

Thursday and Friday Wes was involved with judging boats. He was off to Alex Bay. On Thursday, Gail was on RAZZLE DAZZLE for a tour of the Admiralty Islands, Half Moon Bay, and other islands led by Captain George Ronson of the ABM. We enjoyed a picnic lunch at the Wellesley Island State Park. That night WCCB held their dinner at Casa Bella. It was Party Time! Friday several boats went to Cape Vincent for lunch.

Saturday we drove to Alex Bay to view the gorgeous boats—over 130 of them—at the two docking sites. In the afternoon we relaxed at the Tiki Bar at Riveredge and enjoyed that final day’s spectacular weather, visiting with many of our Canadian friends. Saturday night several WCCB members went to the ACBS Awards Dinner and the rest went to Channelside in Clayton. Wine Country did very well with “bringing home the gold.”

There was so much to see and enjoy at each event that, well, we didn’t take many pictures but have great memories of a spectacular week on the Saint Lawrence. You can check out Woody Boater and ACBS for pictures.