Boat Life on Lake Champlain

The water is 62 degrees.    We are just a few miles from the US-Canadian border, it is raining every afternoon, and it is very cool at night.  There is no reason for this water to warm up, and only the bravest souls venture in....

Max with his interpretation of Bear Grylls

Leo is not to be outdone

I know I am the grandfather here, and supposed to be using good judgement.  Actually I was encouraging them both to jump in.   YeeHaw!!

We have made it through the Champlain Canal and locks and are now in Lake Champlain.  With the Green Mountains of Vermont off on the eastern horizon, and the Adirondacks of New York off the western shore, this lake has beautiful vistas and sunsets.  There has been so much rain (da, no Kidding) that the lake is up 2 ft. and is quite muddy in the upper regions.   But we are not deterred.  We are moving north to Canada, and a little rain will not stop us.

However, there is much to see around this lake before we cross the border.  Our first stop  was at a marina near Ft. Ticonderoga.  I know you have your American history down pat, and realize the importance of this Fort to the American Revolutionary War.  Actually no, it played a bigger part in the French Indian War in the mid 1700's.  The French started the fort, but the British captured it in a very bloody battle, and improved it greatly as the fort does control Lake Champlain and its routes north to Canada, and south to New York.

Ethan Allan and his Green Mountain boys famously captured the fort from the British in our Revolutionary war, but did so by surprise with no blood shed.  After that, the fort fell into disrepair until some good souls bought the fort and restored it to its historical status.

Ft. Ticonderoga with its big canons can control the waterway

Max and Leo have worked into their "boat life" routines.   They were surprised at first by Captain Pepa's rules and regulations, but are now doing quite well.   Both of their rooms are spotless, and their beds are made every day, and they take turns cleaning their head.  Each night they pick up all their "stuff" and put it away.  Plus they have been helping clean the dishes each night.   Leo says that it is this part of boat life that is very different from his home life in Austin.   Whatever could he mean?

Bottom life is my Golden Rule"  A Clean boat is a Happy boat, and a Happy boat is a Safe boat.   Rock Chalk is very happy these days.

The boys and Pepa in the galley cleaning up

Most of all we are having fun exploring new places.   The last two days have been spent in Burlington, Vermont.   What a neat town.   Reminds me a bit of Austin or Lawrence.  We went to the famous Shelburne Museum today.  If you want to know what life is like in Vermont, then spend a day at this museum.  It has it all.  Downtown Burlington is really nice, with a pedestrian mall filled with bars, restaurants, and shops.  

We are enjoying having the boys along on our adventure as we head back to Canada.  They have acclimated well, and I guess, so have Shelley and I.  

Craig, notice they have their life jackets on!!