Stumbling Upon a Wonderful Setting
by Jane Dobray,

I am sitting on the deck in the sunshine having a leisurely lunch. The children are busy throwing stones into the water. Life is good. I happened upon this place quite by accident. My doctor friends moved to this small Ontario town, and I am here for a reunion with them. Let me introduce you to Rockport. It is a quiet hamlet nestled along the St. Lawrence River near Gananoque, Ontario.  I stumbled upon this hidden treasure while touring the area.

The bed and breakfast that I have discovered is The Boathouse Country Inn, a family owned business operated by the Prohaska family. Mom, Lorna, and dad, Bert, are semi-retired, while son, Erich, and his partner, Norman, manage the day-to-day operation. This inn is different from many. It has a relaxed atmosphere where jeans and casual attire are the norm, but don’t let your hair down just yet.  This inn may fool you. The Boathouse is a summer destination, and during the long, warm days, this place is hopping! The inn is a famous hangout for wealthy boaters who travel from the United States border, dock beside the inn, and come in for lunch or dinner. It is said that millionaires love coming to the Boathouse Country Inn because it is unpretentious, and it has a picturesque, waterside view. The food is great, too!

Bert is from Austria.  He and his family bring with them years of European flair and family recipes. There are two places to dine: the Boathouse restaurant attached to the inn, and the Historic Tavern, a friendly pub-style eatery. Each of the ten rooms in the bed and breakfast offers a view of the water and has a cozy country decor. ‘We wanted the inn to be warm and inviting year-round,” says Erich. “Even though most of our business is seasonal, there are still many reasons to come to the Thousand Islands at off-peak times.”

The Boathouse is a perfect venue for a romantic getaway. The Prohaska family offers guests a mini tour of the islands on their antique, Island Heritage Boat built in 1929. They have been offering tours for years, including a daily sunset tour after dinner during the summer months. What a great way to enjoy the surroundings!

One of my personal thrills is to go to dinner and people watch. I love to sit and watch the boats pull up. You never know who you’ll be rubbing elbows with, maybe even a Rockefeller.  I’ll suggest that they try the fish and chips. They’re deliciously divine!