July 2 Exploring Clayton

July 2

Shore leave today.  The day started with a laugh.  There's a small boy on the boat  behind us at the marina who was fishing off the dock all afternoon  yesterday after our arrival.  Catching very small perch almost non stop and having a ball.  First thing we see as we go out on the sundeck  is him - barefooted, jammies still on but wearing his life jacket  and fishing away!!

We went exploring  around Clayton after a hearty  waffles topped with peaches breakfast.  Trying to use up the last of the Georgia peaches we brought back with us from  the trip home.     Dang they are good peaches.  Got  some Red Haven and some Washington's.  Both yellow freestones and picked ready to eat the morning we bought them.  Waffles, peaches and a little bit of real maple syrup on top just makes them better.  That waffle iron was the one kitchen gadget Martha insisted we bring so I'm trying to make use of it on a  regular basis.

After that we needed to do some walking around.  So we headed to the Antique Boat Museum.  Started  in the mid 60's and the collection  and grounds have increased and improved dramatically over the years.   It has a renowned collection of wooden boats.  They also do restoration work and keep several boats in the water during the summer season to give lake cruises.  There's a section detailing the earliest canoes and their development.  Then a section detailing  the locally developed and built rowing skiffs used on the river before motors. Another section featured  the more classic wooden boats we're most familiar with from the 30's through the 60's.   There was a gorgeous ELCO built after WWII based on the hull design they developed  for PT boats.  Another building housed  boats chronicling  the racing wooden boats of the era. A  Gar Woods designed and raced  boat with a 12 cylinder Duesenberg engine caught my eye.  Great pedigree and incredibly restored.

17' Chris Craft  and 40' Elco - both 1942's

Another view of the ELCO.  The Mahogany on the interior was unbelievable.

Gar Woods 1937 race boat with 12 cyl Duesenberg engine

Checking out the unique steering system and rudder on "Dixie" 

After all that walking around it was already past lunchtime and we were getting thirsty so a trip across the street to  the Wooden Boat Brewery was in order. We shared a flight which included an Ale, an Oatmeal Stout, a Milk Stout and a Bourbon Barrel Brown Ale.   The latter was my favorite.

Then a bit of shopping in the downtown area, walking around to view the historic homes,   a trip through the 1000 Islands Museum and a walk down to the Sure-Fine Market for provisions  took up  the rest of the afternoon.  And of course a nice sunset to watch over "The  River" as the locals simply call it.   Overall, this is a great little town we've thoroughly enjoyed.