Leaving the last lock on the Champlain Canal we enter the southern end of Lake Champlain. Starting out as a wide river, the lake quickly becomes a major water body as wide as the Chesapeake….. but different. Lake Champlain is carved out of hard rock and very deep. On our way to the main body of the “lake” our depthfinder sees more than 400 feet of water!
Again, being a rocky, fjord geologically, Lake Champlain also has a long history of “Champy” sightings. Champ or Champy is New England’s version of the Loch Ness monster and has much of the same lore and following. We crossed the southern portion of the lake under gray, drizzly conditions and you can see how this folklore has been sustained over time here.
The Lake is very much undeveloped, lush with greenery and full of history. There are also more than 300 shipwrecks dating from the 1800’s scattered across the lake and many are still just being discovered/explored. One of our possible anchorages is named Arnolds Bay. Turns out this is where Benedict Arnold “scuttled” (purposely sank) his fleet to keep the British redcoats from taking them during the colonial war.
The major marina/town stop on this part of the journey is Burlington, Vermont, what we think is the heart of Bernie Sanders country. Burlington has 3 colleges/universities and the downtown is a hipster heaven full of eateries, brewpubs, bike stores (with coffee shops in them!). Heck, 4 lanes of traffic stopped in both directions on Main Street as I jaywalked from between two parked cars in the middle of the block!
As a fluke of timing we’re here during the 4th of July weekend. As an added boost, what many folks from up this way (and in Michigan and many border areas) don’t know is that this is also Canada’s “Freedom Festival” week, so there are many places where the Canadian/French influence has a long history and enjoys equal recognition. Much of the news and TV is presented in English and French/Canadian-Quebec-ian.
From here we head north for the final run up to the border and customs entry into Canada.
Leaving the Champlain Canal we enter the lake as the river widens.
As the weather starts to turn, the lake becomes the mysterious home to Champy.
If there is a Champy, it's plenty deep enough here for him/them to hide.
Our anchorage in Porter Bay.
Turning into the Burlington harbor.
The only slip for Happy Happy on the 4th of July weekend was for a 20 ft boat.
Back on land we found ourselves in Bernieland.
The Burlington Ferry dock rocks on the 4th, well er the weekend!
Casting off from Burlington, we head north to US/Canadian border with New York's Adirondacks on the west and Vermont's Green Mountains on the east.
Hey! Canada Geese!