It’s almost like Mother Nature knows that kids have to go back to school so she throws in some cool weather and rain to end summer abruptly. Locals here don’t even feel that they’ve had a summer with all the rain and they want a do-over. We have stowed our portable air conditioner, but where did I put the quilt?
Vermonters love their Green Mountain coffee, dogs and bikes. We did have one glorious fall-like afternoon of bike riding along the Lake Champlain Bikeway trail which is relatively flat. If I were to do some serious biking here, this decaf gal would have to get all caffeined-up and rent dogs to mush my way up the BIG mountains on my itty-bitty bike.
Rather than slog through the rain on the boat, we rented an Enterprise car for $30 per day to tour Fort Ticonderoga and the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum. So much of our early history as a country happened here and I finally understand some of it.
The 13 British colonies were surrounded on all sides by French territory and these two superpowers had a go at it in the mislabeled war, the French Indian War. If Britain lost that one, we would all be speaking French right now. Both countries had huge war deficits so England raised taxes on the colonies and the rest is history.
These mountains and waters are alive with the daring Revolutionary War exploits of Ethan Allen and Benedict Arnold before he became a traitor. How could you fight a war when only 1/3 of the population was solidly with you; 1/3, were neutral and would not really help; and the other 1/3, conspired against you? It’s amazing that this country got born at all.
We were going to tour another museum but then the sun came out, we were passing the Shelburne Vineyard and their wine tasting sign beckoned us. The wine is very young and they have relied on some very hardy vines from Minnesota vineyards. I don’t think France or California have anything to worry about but it was a lovely afternoon here.
We loaded up the car with groceries and fall boat provisions. It’s time to change/drain all the fluids to winterize the boat and I have boat waxing and varnishing to do. I have so much sanding to do that I will probably erase my fingerprints.
Gold Loopers Bill on Transition and Mike from Golden stopped by to say "Hi" and reminisce about looper time.
