July 3, Day 20 - Whitehall to Cole Bay (Lake Champlain)

We left Whitehall about 9:00 after clearing Lock 12 and getting a pumpout at the Lock 12 marina. The sun was out and we were happy!! The ride down to Lake Champlain was great. Beautiful scenery, a 1 knot current, and a bit of a breeze all pushing us down toward the lake.

We were originally going to anchor at Crown Point, but we were there much earlier than planned so we decided to push on to Cole Bay. About 30 minutes later, a huge thunderstorm appeared in front of us and another right behind us. We knew that we had made the wrong decision. But - - - they both passed us by and we anchored without getting drenched (or even damp).

They are calling for more rain and possible storms tonight, but the anchor is well set and we only have one other boat here for company – a sailboat from Canada.

Our next planned stop is Vergennes. It is a neat little town right at the base of a 75 ft waterfall and a free dock. However, since tomorrow is the 4th, we will just stay put and wait until Sunday afternoon to head that direction. Hopefully all the holiday boaters (American 4th of July and Canadian’s “Canada Day”) will have started for home and we will have a place to tie up.

Shelburne/Burlington is next. We had our mail forwarded to the Shelburne Shipyard, so we hope it is there when we get there on the 6th or 7th. We plan to hang out there for 3 or 4 days to visit with friends and stock up on needed provisions and charts of the Rideau Canal. We might even take the bikes off and go for a ride.

We have zero internet connection here, not even with the cell phone. So, the blog update will have to wait a few days.

Gerry was going to cook on the grill tonight, but couldn’t get to the propane because the mast was still down ….. hum ….. did he plan it that way?? Linda ended up cooking with the pressure cooker (the second time this trip) and it proved to be another great meal. We watched a movie and then off to bed.


Skene Manor -- a castle that was built in 1874 by a NYS Supreme Court Justice, Joseph H. Potter. It sits on the hill overlooking Whitehall

Bald Eagle chicks along the way

Approaching Dresden Narrows

Mt. Defiance - behind Ft. Ticonderoga

Ft. Ticonderoga

Larabee Point Ferry - Ferry runs between Larabee, VT and Ticonderoga, NY. We went on this Ferry a few years ago (remember Jim and Karen) when we took a trip to Maine and Vermont.

International Paper Company -- quite stinky

Camp Grounds at Port Henry ..... campers as far as the eye could see.

If you had to be caught in a storm would you take ......... the storm behind you ....... or

The storm in front. Thankfully, they both blew over and we didn't get wet until later.

Our anchorage at Cole Bay.

Sparkling Rain Drops