The 1000 Islands. A gaggle of little rocky brothers and sisters rising out of the water between the US and Canadian boarder. It’s sights and sounds are so delicious they named a salad dressing in it’s honor. Seen best by houseboat one feels like a space traveler exploring a densely populated solar system, bopping from one little green planet to another. But to lose yourself in these boarder waters aboard a space ship houseboat one needs a wad of cash substantial in height and girth.
If you have a bike and a budget the smooth roads of the 1000 Islands largest isle, Wolfe Island, will offer just as much adventure and scenery with added security: The ability to have of both feet, or wheels, firmly planted on the ground. Flat land and cycling, to me, are a pretty great combination. And Wolfe Island has it down. Strait roads, hills not mountains, and street names you can remember. These features combine to make an experience full of leisure, ease, and beauty. It is a vacation disguised as a workout. If your looking for a challenge go to the fucking Alps.
The island is best accessed from Canada. Kingston, Ontario has a free ferry that runs over the St. Lawrence river every 30 min until about 1:30 AM. It only takes 20 min to make the cross.
On the island you can wander very well, but road signs help you find the best spots for a picnic, a camp, a hike, a walk on the beach, or a quick shag. Bovine, grain, and horse farms line the roads. The livestock are friendly, they walk right up to you and expect a handful of grass. And be aware, as a local told us; “Careful of the stags.”
The many wind turbines of Wolfe Island create an otherworldly sensation when biking along it’s long roadways. They spin with in height with a lumbering grace, like tall lazy sentries. An unnatural and permanent feature on an island of unique natural beauty. I’ll say they add to the experience of Wolfe Island. One can not help but to be in awe, their sweeping movements of revelry and environmentalism, and I got to say, getting closed to these gentile still giants gave me a little bit of a hard on. But the trees make a good shot as well.
If you are a photographer you may make the mistake of taking a fuckload of wind-turbine glamour shots only to find out the 1000’s of photos you took of wind turbines are actually really fucking boring. Don’t make the same mistake I did.
Nirmala and I ventured to the Big Sandy Bay on the south western edge of the island. And Big Sandy bay is just that; a large shapely crescent of land, it’s rind made of fine, fine sand.
One amazing feature absent from the bay’s name are the enormous population of round smooth rocks. Skinny and light I have never been to a beach better suited for skipping stones. When the wind is calm the shape of the bay tunes it’s nestled water to glass. I have never had a better time throwing rocks on water.
The bay would also make an amazing camping spot. Hitch a tent and spread some sleeping bags over the sand like butter. Take some of the larger stones, pile them up and top it off with some dry driftwood and make a fire, just like these very odd folks in the picture below.
Big Sandy Bay is just one of many attractions found on Wolfe Island. You can ride in any direction and find something that’s worth making the trip for. But, wherever you end up exploring there is always one common feature that spreads across the whole island. Magic Hour. It is fucking jaw dropping.
Near the end of magic hour dark tones silhouette birds that fly together in the hundreds.
The sun sinks fast, the islands rapid drop in temperature creates a shroud of mist that rolls over the farmland and into the water where it disappears as if never there. It’s a sensory experience so good you’ll swear it was a gift from god.
But don’t leave it too late, the roads are not lit and cars drive fast. Make sure you are close to the ferry crossing by the time magic hour hits and you should be alright.
Hey, don’t worry too much. Pack a lunch, shift your bike to the first gear and ride until dusk.
