September 11, 2001

We wake up to witness with deep sadness the reading of the names from the 9/11 tragedy in NYC.
I am writing once again from the 1000 Islands area. We discovered quite by accident that we can pick up wireless internet from the storage area where the rv’s are currently stored. We have been enjoying the company of my sister, her husband and their dog, Rosie. The weather, although cooler, has been perfect. Crisp, cool, sunny days and cold nights. We have had a fire in the fireplace almost nightly. We have been packing and sorting both coaches, preparing to leave on Wednesday this week for parts south. We are trying to move the things from my coach that we will need for our trip to FL to pick up the new coach the end of this month. From there we will tour westward and northward, arriving back in VA before Nov. 15th. My Bearfoot will go into storage in VA if it doesn’t sell at the Hershey RV show next week. I have not been able to drive much of late since my eye disease has returned and I require treatment. My brother-in-law and sister have graciously offered to drive Bearfoot to Hershey in convoy with us. They will then rent a car for the return trip. I think I can drive from Hershey to Richmond if the coach doesn’t sell. I am sad to have to sell Bearfoot but as before there will be another one with a somewhat different mission as yet to be revealed.

Today we took a lovely boat trip northward on the Seaway winding our way through Canadian waters roundabout stopping at Boldt Castle and Boat house on Heart Island in Alexandria Bay. We picnicked aboard the Cobalt docked at the Castle, nibbling on homemade chicken salad with champagne grapes and homemade rye bread. Fabulous!
They allow visitors to tour on your own which I enjoy since I like to read posters and look at the photos and displays. What a treat seeing the work that is being done to restore this exquisite estate.

The other day we visited the antique boat museum in Clayton, NY. Wonderfully restored early 20th century yachts as well as some 19th century boats. We also toured La Ducheese which was Mr. Boldt’s private houseboat (it is like a floating mansion). After his death, it went into disrepair and sunk only to be salvaged and restored by Mr. McNally of Rand McNally fame. What an era and way of life these castles and yachts respresent. the attached photo is of the VA Tech Band at their first football game a week or so ago. My grandson is in the photo.