We left Westport Sunday (8/23) to explore the western palisade section with steep granite cliffs and secluded tree-lined anchorages but the north wind and storms kicked up and we had to cancel our plans and head across the lake for the protection of Point Bay and picked up a mooring ball.
Here is our rainbow appearing through a light rain and sun as we swung on the mooring and are surrounded by sailboats with their gently-clanging halyards and rain falling softly on our bimini. It is a great time to read until the light fades or get lost in your thoughts with the help of the hypnotic power of the rain. If I become one with the rain, will it stop?
The sun peeked out and the seas calmed down on Monday so we decided to travel 7 miles up Otter Creek to Vergennes. For our boating friends, I will note that flat calm is helpful to navigate the entrance which has some shallow shoals to the south so you don’t want to make a mistake. The creek is about 50 yards wide, has depths of 14-20 feet in the middle except for an 8 foot section by Dead Creek, and has ½ knot current. Deadheads are marked creatively with milk jugs. It is home to osprey and water fowl and is dotted occasionally with small houses and private docks.
When we rounded the last turn, we not only found the sun at the end of our rainbow, but also a spectacular waterfall display. Vergennes welcomes boaters with a free dock with electric and water and has a number of restaurants, small grocery, shops, liquor store, pharmacy and summer playhouse. Its City Hall is located in the Old Opera House which still functions as a theatre in the upstairs area. With a town green and Farmers Market, it is a delightful New England place to visit.
Bob and I have had a running discussion about how to pronounce “Vergennes.” I took a little French years ago so I did an Inspector Clouseau pronunciation; Bob thought that the “g” should be pronounced with a “j” sound. I was passing the library so ducked in to consult the reference librarians about this burning question. I explained the above and the 3 female librarians noted that “Vergennes” is pronounced with a “j” sound but I should not tell my husband “as you know how men get when they get one thing right.” I am letting you in on this little secret but don’t tell Bob.
We spent a wonderful evening with boaters from Chipman Point and got lots of helpful information about the lake. Nightcap for the evening was the falls being lit with rainbow colors. In the still of the night, the cascading falls roared like the ocean and lulled us to sleep.
Here is our rainbow appearing through a light rain and sun as we swung on the mooring and are surrounded by sailboats with their gently-clanging halyards and rain falling softly on our bimini. It is a great time to read until the light fades or get lost in your thoughts with the help of the hypnotic power of the rain. If I become one with the rain, will it stop?
The sun peeked out and the seas calmed down on Monday so we decided to travel 7 miles up Otter Creek to Vergennes. For our boating friends, I will note that flat calm is helpful to navigate the entrance which has some shallow shoals to the south so you don’t want to make a mistake. The creek is about 50 yards wide, has depths of 14-20 feet in the middle except for an 8 foot section by Dead Creek, and has ½ knot current. Deadheads are marked creatively with milk jugs. It is home to osprey and water fowl and is dotted occasionally with small houses and private docks.
When we rounded the last turn, we not only found the sun at the end of our rainbow, but also a spectacular waterfall display. Vergennes welcomes boaters with a free dock with electric and water and has a number of restaurants, small grocery, shops, liquor store, pharmacy and summer playhouse. Its City Hall is located in the Old Opera House which still functions as a theatre in the upstairs area. With a town green and Farmers Market, it is a delightful New England place to visit.
Bob and I have had a running discussion about how to pronounce “Vergennes.” I took a little French years ago so I did an Inspector Clouseau pronunciation; Bob thought that the “g” should be pronounced with a “j” sound. I was passing the library so ducked in to consult the reference librarians about this burning question. I explained the above and the 3 female librarians noted that “Vergennes” is pronounced with a “j” sound but I should not tell my husband “as you know how men get when they get one thing right.” I am letting you in on this little secret but don’t tell Bob.
We spent a wonderful evening with boaters from Chipman Point and got lots of helpful information about the lake. Nightcap for the evening was the falls being lit with rainbow colors. In the still of the night, the cascading falls roared like the ocean and lulled us to sleep.
