Greek's Folly on the Great Loop: Sat Aug 12 Rabbit Island to Swan Cove (Boldt Castle)

Sat Aug 12 Rabbit Island to Swan Cove (Boldt Castle)
At 9 am we took the dinghy into Schown's island and he met us on the dock. We followed him, wandering around the property as he showed us a small quarry. This was where the pink granite for Boldt castle originated. When construction on the castle stopped, the workers just left, leaving large slabs , square and sculptured, on the island. Very interesting!!

Shorn stopped by Short Vacation when we anchored off Rabbit Isld
and asked if we wanted to come ashore in the morning and see
the quarry where the granite for Boldt Castle was mined from.
So we dinghyied in in the morning

Quarry wall, straight as an arrow

When George Boldt's wife Louise died suddenly he stopped
all work on Boldt Castle which was supposed to be a Valentine gift
to his wife. The story goes that the work men just left their tools and
walked off the job. The Castle sat for 77 years unfinished until the
Thousands Island Bridge Authority took it over and started renovating
the Castle.

Pieces of granite just left in the forest

Colletta with her pieces of granite that would have ended in
Boldt Castle.. just the small pieces. She couldn't lift the granite
beam...tho she tried

part of the quarry wall

We cruised to Boldt Castle, only to remember it was Saturday and the docks and waterways were swarming with boats, cruisers, day visitors and lookers. We anchored in a small cove, Swan Pond just south of Heart Island and the castle. We had a great view to watch all the traffic and enjoy the sights of the castle. We took the dinghy into the castle pier, checked in to US customs (painless) and went on a self guided tour. The castle was never finished or lived in and fell into ruins and is slowly being renovated under the supervision of the 1000 Island Bridge Authority. They are doing an excellent job of renovating by using plans and blueprints of the original castle. Some parts are finished, furnished and elegant and some parts are deteriorating, vandalized and worn. It is an ongoing process and a positive step to preserve the history for that era. About half of the castle is completed - 2 of the 4 floors - and the grounds are beautifully kept. We also visited the Boldt Boathouse with its 3 docking bays and antique wooden boats and steamers. Of course we took a dinghy ride to explore the coves and marina in the area and admired the beautiful and lavish homes. The sun set on Heart Island and Boldt Castle which ended a pleasant day.

Welcome to my comfy lake house