July 12-14, 2024 Burlington, VT

 Friday July 12, 2024   Vergennes to Burlington   3.5 hours and 26 miles

The water flowing over the dam at Vergennes continued to ease up overnight Thursday.  Still rushing harder than normal and the water is still about 2' over normal but the flow is slower and the amount of debris has greatly diminished.  Decided we would head out around noon and take it very slowly down the Otter Creek.  No longer concerned about depths but want to keep a keen lookout for some of the logs that went by us while docked.  Did one final cleanout around the boat for smaller debris and that foamy mess. 

Final cleanout - some of the "stuff" we collected.  Le Roc is ahead of us.
  He collected the really big stuff!

More dirty foam from the dam. Cleaned it away multiple times only to have it build up again

Cleaned off the foam and stains right before leaving to not completely be embarrassing.

Ran the engines a bit at the dock to ensure strainers weren't blocked and we had good cooling water flow.   Checked the tranny would engage the props forward and reverse and same for the bow thruster both port and starboard push.   Steering rudders full over each direction. All good so released our lines with the help of our new friends on Le Roc, a nice Canadian couple who have been stranded here at the dock with us the entire time. Easy float down the muddy chocolate milk looking water.  Running in gear but no throttle the entire trip, yet still making 7mph because of the current.   Worked our way around a few trees laying into the creek but nothing creating problems that stopped our exit.   Finally out onto big water with a sigh of relief.    Just to be sure all our running gear was clear we went through maneuvers of running the boat in reverse and forward, one engine at a time with some extra rpm.  Had a clump of "stuff" come off the starboard side when reversing hard.  I believe it was probably just caught on the leading edge of the stabilizer fin.   Once we get to another anchorage I'll put on a mask and check all the underwater gear while in this clear water. 

Muddy overflowing Otter Creek

Made it to Burlington and got docked without too much issue.  A little miscommunication on our slip assignment just meant a bit of extra maneuvering practice before we stern tied.   Burlington Harbor Marina is newer with very nice facilities and helpful staff. We're docked conveniently close to the restrooms and laundry. The marina is at the north end of the harbor so just a bit longer walks to downtown. 

Cruise up the lake with Adirondak mountains in background

Sunset in Burlington - alien surfacing from the water - they say that's where they're hiding!

Happy to be in Burlington and have the flood behind us.

Surprisingly to us, the main downtown is not right along the lakefront but several steep blocks uphill.  Lots of shops and restaurants up on the pedestrian friendly Church Street Marketplace.   One of our reasons for getting to Burlington for the weekend was to visit their Saturday Farmers Market.  A bit of a hike to the South Side arts district but a good assortment of produce, food stands, and vendors.  Only drawback was several rounds of unexpected rain that had everyone huddling together under the tents.  Vermont was one of the leaders in the craft beer movement, so I had high expectations.   There are a large number of breweries in the general area, but we only got to try a few as most are not within walking distance. 

Flowers in full bloom along the waterfront park

Very cool hummingbird artwork on the side of this building

The downtown pedestrian marketplace on Church Street

Happy Birthday to me!  Foam Breweries specialty is DIPA's.
 They don't do flights so 8 oz. pours had to do.

Interesting assortment of people here.  There's a large contingent of "Quebecoise" tourists evident by all the French being spoken.  Then a large contingent of local eclectics - college students, yuppies, artists, organic farmers, idealists, - sort of what you expect when you think about Vermont. And did I mention maple EVERYTHING - ice cream, lemonade, scones, beer, etc.   If it can be added to something, they will. Overall, an interesting town and worth the visit.

Another amazing sunset on day two

Journey for July 12, 2024