July 9, 2024 Vergennes, VT

Tuesday July 9, 2024 Ticonderoga to Vergennes, VT. 4.9 hours and 37 miles

Monday 7/8/24 - We spent an extra day at anchor at Ticonderoga. Did more research and determined we could put the arch and bimini back up for at least the next few weeks until getting over to the Erie canal. Spent way too much time in the blistering sun, heat and humidity trying to develop a system that would secure just the bimini top. Finally decided to just go ahead and do it right and put the arch up too. It's a bit of a chore but working as a team Martha and I were able to raise and lower everything ourselves. Having worn ourselves out there was nothing much else left to do but chill out in the water and enjoy the sight of the boat looking normal again with its top back on.

Taking a well earned break - we be chillin'

Tuesday 7/9/24 - The heat is killing us. Might as well be back in Savannah with heat indexes into the upper 90's. Doesn't even cool off enough at night to make sleeping pleasant. I've never believed in running a generator all night while sleeping. Our system is to run the genny and A/C for a few hours before bedtime to cool the cabins then cut off the systems and go to bed. But it's so hot I'm waking up several hours later sweating. Decided I needed my A/C, and the town of Vergennes has a free dock with one 50-amp power pole. So off we went with high hopes. Up on the flybridge with the bimini now on and overcast skies it's tolerable but we're not getting any wind relief as it's all blowing at our stern from the south. Just past Ticonderoga is a cable operated ferry. We give it time to reach the NY side before crossing it's path to make sure the cables have settled to the bottom. A ferry has been in operation at this location since 1759. Topography is surprisingly different on each side of the lake with mostly flat areas on the Vermont side and hills and mountains on the NY side. We head through the narrows of Lake Champlain home to the ruins of the French Fort Saint-Frederic and the English Fort Crown Point. Then under the Lake Champlain Bridge - the only bridge that crosses the lake.

Headed to Crown Point through the narrows, NY side in the background

The 2011 Lake Champlain Bridge

Monument at Crown Point State Park

Afterwards the lake opens up to a wide expanse. After another hour we reach the tricky entrance to Otter Creek. It's a twisty 8 miles of narrow creek with multiple no wake areas. We're following our charts closely to stay in deep water and still get the occasional 6-7' depth reading. Rounded the final bend and beheld an empty dock waiting for us. In no time we were plugged in and cooling off.

Headed down Otter Creek

The falls at Vergennes

As you Wish secured on the town dock below the falls

Vergennes is at a critical location. The Otter Creek was navigable to the lake but there was also a waterfall that provided power. During it's heyday, tanneries, lumberyards, grist mills, shipbuilders, etc. inhabited the city. The USS Saratoga, USS Ticonderoga and USS Eagle were all built here during the war of 1812 and were victorious in the battle of Plattsburg in 1814. This victory along with the American naval victory at Baltimore at the same time helped seal the end of that war. Vergennes was settled in 1776 and established as a city in 1788. It was Vermont's first "city" and remains its smallest city by population. A quaint downtown is geared towards tourists with several restaurants, shops, etc. The impressive Bixby library building courtesy of his bequest in 1911. Lu-Lu's award-winning ice cream shop - black raspberry with dark chocolate chunks was decadent! View of the falls from the boat just added to the enjoyment of the location. We'll stay an extra night as the remnants of Hurricane Beryl are passing through with rain, winds, etc.