Burlington VT

         From Converse Bay we cruised over to Burlington.  This is a great college town right on the Lake, with many restaurants, shops, and artisans.  We took a slip at the Ferry Landing Marina because they honored a discount for AGLCA members.  We’re so glad we chose them - they had lots of friendly, helpful staff, the nicest laundry and shower facilities we’ve ever seen, and were situated just a short walk away from everything.  

Burlington Harbor Breakwater

We were immediately greeted by Bob of the Monk Loon, an unofficial harbor host offered his services for rides and local knowledge.  After scoping out the facilities we took a walk to the famous Church street where many of the shops and restaurants are located.  We just happened to be in town for their annual Jazz Festival and came upon a very talented high school jazz band entertaining a small crowd at the beginning of Church street.  The main stage is set up on the waterfront about a mile from our marina, but there were many mini stages on or near Church street showcasing lots of talent.  We had a good time listening as we browsed some unique little shops. 

We had dinner at Spot on the Dock, the restaurant in our marina, treating ourselves to a night out before making use of the showers and laundry.  I ran into Ellen and John from the trawler Salud -  they’d also greeted us right after we’d come in - and we exchanged boat tours.  They are still deciding whether to do the Great Loop or the Down East Circle.  We spent about an hour with them, reminiscing about our adventure cruising the Down East Circle.  I think maybe we helped them decide...

This morning (Saturday) Dan and I walked to the Burlington Farmer’s Market.  Theres is probably the biggest one we’ve seen - rows and rows of tents set up selling everything from meats, veggies, and baked goods to maple everything, clothing, and pottery.  As we are going to Canada soon - maybe tomorrow - we didn’t buy as much as we normally would have, but it was great fun to walk around and look at everything.  John (from Salud) remarked that it was the first time he’d seen valet bicycle parking at a farmer’s market.  

We topped off the fuel and water at the marina and took off after lunch.  We’re in a pretty little cove called Nichols Point, about twenty miles from the Canadian border.  We’re hoping to enter the Chambly canal - en route to Montreal - on Monday.  

Sunset, Nichols Point

PS:  a note about the Canadian wildfires that have been plaguing much of the midAtlantic coast as well as places to the west of us…  we have been using the website firesmoke.ca which forecasts where the smoke is going to be, and how thick.  Fortunately for us so far, we seem to be avoiding most of it.  We went through New York City and the lower Hudson River before it got there, and much of Lake Champlain is in a microclimate that the smoke seems to be avoiding.  We’re hoping this continues as we cruise up into Canada!