Beyond the Adirondacks, on the broad St Lawrence River that forms the border with Canada, are 1800 barely populated hunks of earth known as the Thousand Islands . They share their name with a salad dressing because one c.1900 visitor, George Boldt, president of New York's Waldorf-Astoria Hotel , is said to have asked the steward on his yacht to concoct something different for a special luncheon. The resultant orange goo is now famous the world over.

From both Alexandria Bay and the smaller fishing port of Clayton , boat excursions set out to explore the waterway; the tiny craft are all but swamped by the huge passing cargo ships, larger than many of the islands. For departure times, contact Uncle Sam's Tours (April-Oct daily; in Clayton tel 315/686-3511, in Alexandria Bay tel 315/482-2611 or 1-800/ALEXBAY).

Thousand Islands

• Thousand Islands

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