Thousand Islands Pink Saturday

I've been thinking a lot about my post on Friday and about seeing New York State. There are so many sights to see and it's hard to choose the ones I'd recommend first. I'd put New York City -- especially Manhattan at the top of the list. Yes, I'm Manhattan-centric, but after forty plus years living here I've found it to be endlessly interesting. Two and three on my list -- and they are tied -- are Niagara Falls and the Thousand Islands. I've only been to Niagara Falls once, many years ago, but I've been to the Thousand Islands area many times over the last forty five years. The beauty of the river and the natural beauty of the countryside never fail to delight and calm me. If you had asked me before this most recent visit last month if there was anything I hadn't yet seen in the area, I would have replied that I'd seen all of the sights. And I would have been very wrong.

 

On this trip I added a visit to one of the most outstanding collections of late nineteenth and early twentieth century resort architecture in the United States. Hyperbole? Perhaps, but each building was more impressive than the one next to it. Perfectly well preserved and beautifully detailed. 

I had the good fortune to visit the Thousand Islands Park Historic District, founded in 1875. Despite a massive fire in 1912, 294 buildings remain of the summer community at the southern tip of Wellesley Island in the St. Lawrence River. 

        

When the community first began access was only by water and the views of the river are magnificent.

The community began as a Chautauqua-like summer community with tents on wooden platforms. The first tents were built in close proximity to the Tabernacle, which was the center of the area. As more people came to enjoy the services, educational programs and find a reprieve from the heat bigger structures were built.

The District's library

The houses in this community form one of the largest intact buildings of the turn of the century period. Their lavish gingerbread trim has been well preserved. I visited on a quiet week-day morning and it felt that I slipped back into a scene from "Our Town." The modern bicycles and golf carts that were in use were among the few items that made me realize I was not celebrating the turn of the nineteenth century.

I especially enjoyed this sweet house with its upside down heart adornment.

The trim on this house equally delighted me.

 

These two beauties had a view of the river. What a perfect place to sit and rock and enjoy and iced tea and a cool breeze. 

 

 

This old dog -- metaphorically speaking -- learned a new trick on this visit north. There is frequently something new under the sun, but you have to be open to finding it. The "something new" in this case was actually not very new at all, but so worth discovering. My trip to Clayton followed our morning of walking, enjoying and discovering in the Historic District. If you're on the east coast, this is a relatively easy trip. If you've been wanting to visit Canada, combining this natural beauty and the interesting city sights in Ottawa, Canada's capital, would make a great trip. Remember to bring your passport!

 

Happily today was a beautiful day in New York City. Hermine didn't pay us a visit -- Hooray! -- though I'm not sure what tomorrow's weather may bring. I had brunch with a friend and enjoyed a much less crowded restaurant and Madison Avenue. A post later this week will bring fall fashion photographs from my walk this afternoon. Now I'm happily joining the fun at Pink Saturday.   

 

As ever, thanks for visiting and have a wonderful Monday!



I Love New York: Visiting Clayton, NY

The weather has cooled down and I've gotten a burst of energy, especially for blogging. I'm celebrating the Labor Day weekend with a five-day Blogathon. I'm going to blog every day through Monday. Yes, five days in a row. There are several summer adventures I'd like to share before we enter the land of pumpkins and autumn leaves. I'm also going to respond to every comment. I've been remiss in blog visits and this weekend I'm returning to visits throughout BlogWorld.
 

For most people from New York City just about anywhere north of the Bronx is upstate. But my trip to St. Lawrence County is genuinely upstate. I've had the good fortune to have dear friends who live literally on the St. Lawrence River, which separates the United States and Canada for part of New York and Ontario. My trip this summer included driving from Albany to Ogdensburg. I was reminded how much beauty is in New York and how readily accessible those areas are. No passports, no planes and magnificent scenery. Though I've traveled a lot throughout New York there are still a number of places I'd like to visit again and I'm putting a list together. I'm hoping to do several I Love New York posts in the next year. 
 

Though I've been to the Thousand Islands area many times this was my first visit to Clayton, NY. Founded in 1833, Clayton's history includes lumber, ship building and mining. With the advent of the railroad in the 1870's tourism was added and it is a beautiful town to visit.  

The Lost Navigator is a local bar and restaurant and I enjoyed the advertising mural.

My visit included a wonderful visit to a local gallery and this painting was displayed outside.

 

Though it was my first visit to Clayton I hope it won't be may last. I was impressed with all of the activities taking place in town during the summer and took several pictures to keep them in mind. I have the fantasy of returning for a longer visit next summer and participating in the writers' programs. I also envisioned peaceful afternoons sitting in the town park and watching the river.

There is one more post of my visit to the Thousand Islands and at least one more of New York City good times. What are some of your favorite memories of this summer?

This weekend isn't just Blogathon, it's my return to walking as well. I've slacked off on my walking and my goal is to do 10,000 steps every day. I succeeded today and barring torrential rain, I'm optimistic that I can do the same every day. I'll keep you posted.

As ever, thanks for visiting and happy wishes for a wonderful weekend.

I Will So Miss...

...these peaceful days on the river. So grateful for the opportunity to be here. Thanks, K and J.

College Days

No, not my college days. One of my pre-retirement thoughts was getting a graduate degree, but I've put that thought aside indefinitely, probably forever. I did have a very nice afternoon on an excursion to St. Lawrence University, and enjoyed my visit a lot.

The last photo is the river and the dock once again. Today we had sun and I'm enjoying capturing this scene in every gradation of light. Tomorrow we've got an expedition planned to a pretty river town. I promise there will be pictures.

Wishes for a wonderful Wednesday!