Sackets Harbor and the Thousand Islands
After a night at anchor in Henderson Harbor, located at the south end of Henderson Bay, we departed for Sackets Harbor, an 8 nautical mile hop to the NE. On this day, like the other two travel days before, we were alone on the water under gray skies. But not for long. A Coast Guard response boat appeared ahead of us, sped past, then carved a quick arc and fell in pace alongside Molly.
I'm not sure if everyone else's heart skipped a beat at the sight, but mine did. We've spent 15 years upgrading Ariel, our Cape Dory 36 sailboat, but our efforts aboard Molly, though focused on safety, weren't nearly as thorough. I crossed my fingers and hoped for the best.
Two Coast Guardsmen climbed aboard Molly and began a safety inspection. Fifteen minutes, or so, later and they were done. Molly passed with flying colors. In fact, one of the gentlemen commented that it was rare to find an older boat that was so well prepared and maintained. Our only deficiency was not having the no-discharge oil plaque permanently affixed. I remedied that immediately with some double-sided sticky tape.
We said farewell to the Coast Guard and continued our trip to Sackets Harbor. Without a firm plan for the night, we tied up on the city guest dock and went ashore to visit the town's historic sites.
Family living in New York drove in for the day and met us for lunch and later came aboard Molly for a tour and a visit.
A bit before sunset, we moved Molly across the harbor to Navy Point Marine for the night. The next day, we departed Sackets Harbor bound for Cape Vincent and the start of the St. Lawrence Seaway.
We tied up on the Antique Boat Museum docks later that afternoon and spent a few hours gawking at scores of lovely boats before casting off and heading to Heart Island - the home of Boldt Castle - and our anchorage for the night.
I'm not sure if everyone else's heart skipped a beat at the sight, but mine did. We've spent 15 years upgrading Ariel, our Cape Dory 36 sailboat, but our efforts aboard Molly, though focused on safety, weren't nearly as thorough. I crossed my fingers and hoped for the best.
Two Coast Guardsmen climbed aboard Molly and began a safety inspection. Fifteen minutes, or so, later and they were done. Molly passed with flying colors. In fact, one of the gentlemen commented that it was rare to find an older boat that was so well prepared and maintained. Our only deficiency was not having the no-discharge oil plaque permanently affixed. I remedied that immediately with some double-sided sticky tape.
We said farewell to the Coast Guard and continued our trip to Sackets Harbor. Without a firm plan for the night, we tied up on the city guest dock and went ashore to visit the town's historic sites.
Family living in New York drove in for the day and met us for lunch and later came aboard Molly for a tour and a visit.
A bit before sunset, we moved Molly across the harbor to Navy Point Marine for the night. The next day, we departed Sackets Harbor bound for Cape Vincent and the start of the St. Lawrence Seaway.
We tied up on the Antique Boat Museum docks later that afternoon and spent a few hours gawking at scores of lovely boats before casting off and heading to Heart Island - the home of Boldt Castle - and our anchorage for the night.
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