The Indians called this area of the St Lawrence River "Manatoana", which means Garden of the Great Spirit. Today it is known for it's beauty and it's many islands. There are actually around 1800 islands ranging from very small islands with just a couple of trees to huge islands that many people call home in the summer. To be considered one of the 1000 islands they must be above the water at all times and must be supporting two living trees.

The St Lawrence River separates Canada and the United States, with the islands being owned by both Canadians and Americans. In the photo below you can see that these people had no problem fitting all the comforts of home on that small island. There are many islands just like this one, some relatively small and some very large. Some of the islands are government owned and are set up so that boaters are allowed to stay for the day or over night. This picture was taken by me while staying on one of those islands.

If you are a boater than the 1000 Islands is the place for you. With so many islands there are sure to be places of interest for every boater. Whatever type of boating you like to do, you can do it in the 1000 Islands. If you want to explore the many islands than there are many to choose from. If you would like to stay on an island for the day or even over night, again lots to choose from. For those of you like drive fast than all you have to do is get in the shipping channel and away you go.

If staying on one of the islands sounds like it would be something that you would want to do than you must try it. I have stay on many of the islands and loved it. The only thing that I did mind was the outhouses. If your boat doesn't have one than you will have to use the outhouse. Early summer they aren't to bad, but they get pretty bad later in the summer. If you can get past that than it should be a real treat.

The islands that allow visitors have a picnic table and a small barbecue like stove to cook on. Not many people use these because they are not very clean for cooking. Most boaters have there own little cook stove that they carry with them for just this occasion. Many of the islands have paths that you can follow that will lead you around the island. With the bigger islands these little "excursions" could take you some time, but they are well worth it. Often you will be able to see many of the beautiful homes that line the private islands.

The 1000 islands Poker Run is held every year, usually in the month of August. If you are on one of the islands during the poker run than you have the best seat possible. The poker run is not a race, but these guys will open them up whenever they get a chance.These boats can travel at 75+ miles per hour, and often do when they get into open water.

The boat that everybody wants to see flying down the river is a boat called "My Way". With two turbine engines at 2000 horse power, he never disappoints and he's always the first one down the river. Below are two pictures of "My Way" as he heads up river towards Kingston Ontario.

One of my favorite times of the day is when the sunsets on the St Lawrence River. The river starts to quiet down and the call of the loon is everywhere. Usually we have had our supper and we are looking forward to the campfire that we have usually every night. After the dishes are done and the boats are readied for the night we all head over to the campfire with our favorite "Beverage" for some story telling, music and a whole lot of fun.

The shipping channel is heavily travelled by ocean-going ships that travel up and down the river for most of the year. These ships are huge and travel a pretty good pace. If they are travelling to fast ( they have a speed limit) than the waves will do a lot of damage to the boats that are tied up on the islands. The waves are also hard on the many docks that line the shoreline.

Jetski's are plentiful all throughout the islands and many of them love to use the ships waves to catch some air time.

Not everybody has there own boat, but that shouldn't stop you from experiencing the islands. Many Tour Boat companies operate on both the American and the Canadian side of the 1000 Islands. Maybe a tour from both the American side and the Canadian side would be good idea. I don't think you can see all the beauty that the islands have to offer unless you see them from both sides.

Many of the tour boats make a stop at Boldt Castle. A stop at Boldt Castle is a must for anyone who would like to see a 127 room, 30 bathroom castle surrounded by the St Lawrence River. It is said to be the most beautiful of all the islands with its magnificent castle.

The story of George and Louise Boldt is a very sad one. There also seems to be a couple of versions of this story, but I like the one that was told to me when I was very young. This is the version that most people know about and believe to be the truth.