As You Wish - Our Adventures: June 29, 2025 Returning to Clayton

Sunday June 29, 2025 Cape Vincent, NY to Clayton, NY 16.5 miles and 2.3 hours

The reservation for Clayton Municipal Marina says arrival time is 1 PM, so that gave us time for a leisurely breakfast before needing to head out. Untied the lines and started our departure at 10:30 and was immediately greeted by 3 boats heading downriver. We assumed correctly to Clayton. Fell in line behind them. A relatively short and uneventful cruise. Canada on your left with all their wind turbines on Wolf Island. America on the right with waterfront "cottages" and the actual border running down the middle of the river.

Canadian scenery - we know it will only get better

A small boathouse for a "cottage" on the US side

Overcast when we started but clouds were breaking up as we approached Clayton. Had to idle for about 1/2 hour for my turn to actually dock as the other boats got settled in. "Head on a swivel" as they say with all the local small boaters buzzing around us. A Lurssen built 212-foot superyacht, the Elysian, was sitting on the town bulkhead getting lots of attention from the locals although I never saw a single crewmember. Built in 2014 it accommodates 12 guests. Has a swimming pool, helicopter landing pad, 16.5 knot top speed, 11' draft. The owner - John W. Henry - is an interesting guy. Now lives in Connecticut. Made his fortune developing and managing a commodities trading program back in the 80's. Currently into various sports team ownership including the Boston Red Sox, Liverpool Football Club, part owner of Jack Rouse Racing. Also owns the Boston Globe Newspaper.

Safe in our slip along with several other new loopers

The Elysian at the town bulkhead

But, back to Clayton. We stopped here when doing the Great Loop back in 2019 and really enjoyed the town. Can't believe it's been almost 6 years to the day since we were here. Still nice as ever. Beautiful newer marina with floating docks right in front of a resort hotel and adjacent waterfront park. Quick walk to downtown and its myriad gift shops, galleries, restaurants, bars, etc. Several blocks of well-kept older houses. Some nice old churches and parks. Grocery store just 1/2 mile away out on the main road. Even the wood fired pizza and brewery in an old historic home is still here along with a nice bakery, an impressive cheese shop and an amazingly versatile hardware store.

Downtown maintains its character with original late1800's buildings

Big ships pass regularly during the day and night.

Clayton history is based on tourism dating back to the gilded age. The Thousand Islands area beckoned the rich and famous for the summer season. Massive houses/castles built by wealthy barons of the time who came for trophy muskie fishing and lavish parties. Tourism, fishing, boating and partying still are the industries keeping the town going. A big tourist draw here is the wooden boat museum. We visited last time so skipped it this time, but their collection is pretty spectacular.