7/30/2010 SHELBURNE BAY TO MALLETTS BAY

Ok guys, we have found an additional little breakfast joint for your enjoyment here in Burlington. It is an old, converted gas station called THE SPOT and located at 210 Shelburne Road, Burlington. You can find out more information at spot@thespotvt.com . What a hoot it was, setting in the open work bay window, eating a most delicious spinach omelet and looking at all the surf photos. Give it a try and say ”Hi” to our waiter, Joe McCaffrey.

THE SPOT

JOE, OUR SERVER

COFFEE AT THE SPOT

Dan and Robert moved the boat from Shelburne Bay up to Malletts Bay this afternoon and ran into some rather brisk winds before docking the Quest at the Champlain Marina. I took the car and was waiting there to see them come into the bay and assist with the tie up.

DAN AND ROBERT IN THE DINK

THE QUEST DEPARTING OUR ANCHORAGE AT SHELBURNE BAY

WAITING TO DOCK IN MALLETTS BAY

We had my “day later” birthday dinner at The Bearded Frog (5247 Shelburne Rd., Shelburne) and rocked the place with our constant laughter. Our server, Keri, did a fabulous job keeping the yummy food and drinks coming. I was so delighted to see everyone that Lynn had managed to gather. The table was rounded out by Steven, Robert, Nan, Tony, Lynn, Jennifer, Alexander, Cheryl, Dick, Charles, Janet and Barbara. Thank you all for making the journey from down south and sharing your evening with me.

Jennifer, Ali, Cheryl and Dick caravaned back to the Quest and spent the night with us. Dan gave Jennifer and Ali the tour then taught them to play Fan Tan.

JENNIFER AND ALI GETTING THE TOUR

Fun day, great night.

7/29/2010 SHELBURNE BAY (LAKE CHAMPLAIN)

It’s my birthday and I enjoyed every minute of it!!

Our morning saw us chugging to the dingy dock and nudging our way into this busy parking area.

DINGY DOCK

We met Robert for an early lunch at Mirabelles , my favorite Burlington eatery at 198 Main Street. It is the perfect place for breakfast or lunch with fresh baked breads and pastries daily. Allison, the proprietor, was there and we were able to visit in snatches during her busy schedule. Their website is http://www.mirabellescafe.com/

MIRABELLES

198 MAIN STREET

BURLINGTON, VT

The Central Fire Station is located just around the corner from Mirabelles and we admired the shiny firehouse poles and wondered just how often they are really used. This time saving device was developed by Chicago Firehouse 21 in 1878. The bottom floor of the firehouse held the horses and equipment, the mid floor housed the firemen while the top floor was used as a hayloft. During transport the hay was held secure by a long pole that was then stored with the hay on the top floor. One enterprising fireman used the pole to slide down when responding to a fire alarm and later convinced his chief to install a pole permanently. The other firehouses ridiculed them mercilessly until they realized Firehouse 21 was always first on the scene. The rest, as they say, is history.

CENTRAL FIRE STATION IN BURLINGTON

SHINY FIREPOLE

I got to browse Burlington to my heart’s content as Dan met with our AXA agent, Charles Dinklage, and reviewed some of our financial planning. That was not on my birthday agenda!

I talked to so many of my friends and family, calling with birthday wishes. Thanks to all of you!

Back on the Quest for the evening we had some lovely sushi, just setting on our deck and watching the boating world go by. Nice day!!

LOVELY BIRTHDAY DINNER ON THE DECK

7/28/2010 SHELBURNE BAY (LAKE CHAMPLAIN)

Our morning was quickly gone after a little baking (on the generatorpower), a few business contacts to set up appointments and a call to Garmin to order the necessary (and correct) chips needed to get through Canada and the Great Lakes. When all of our jobs were completed on the Quest we loaded up the dingy, with yet more dirty laundry, and motored to our car on the shore. We started the wash cycles at the laundromat then made the mandatory trip to Al’s French Fries for lunch.

Our afternoon on the Quest was one of relaxation with reading, fishing and general laziness.

DAN BAITING HIS HOOK

A GLIMPSE OF BURLINGTON FROM OUR ANCORAGE

OUR NEIGHBORS IN SHELBURNE BAY

What a treat we had in store for our evening. Wednesday night must be sailboat racing at the nearby Lake Champlain Yacht Club and every boat put on a show for our entertainment.

BOAT RACES PAST RED ROCKS

BILLOWING SPINNAKERS

After being forced inside by the rain and flashes of lightening we capped the evening off by turning on the generator and watching a movie. Imagine that!!

7/27/2010 WILLSBORO BAY BACK TO SHELBURNE BAY (LAKE CHAMPLAIN)

Dan and Tony brought up the anchor on this stunning morning and we meandered out of the anchorage, passing this serene homestead site.

NICE BUTTS!

SO SERENE

Our serenity was soon broken as we exited the bay and received a loud VHF distress signal. We never did quite get the coordinates but there was someone overboard. I’m sure all turned out well because we heard no more over the radio later in the day.

The cormorants were on the prowl, sweeping down and coasting just above the water.

SKIMMING THE WATER

Our interest having been peeked, we decided to motor over to the Four Brothers Islands where UVM conducts extensive research on the varied bird population that seeks refuge there. The island is a breeding ground for gulls, heron, duck, geese and innumerable cormorant. We jumped into the dingy and cruised around the islands, watching the birds watching us.

CORMORANTS PERCHED ON THE DEAD TREES ON ONE OF

THE FOUR BROTHERS ISLANDS

Our next stop was Juniper Island, just 2 miles west of Burlington. This is the site of one of the 1st lighthouse on the lake, built in 1826 and currently restored. We spent a lot of time sifting through the pebbly shore and enjoying the view from the water’s edge. Some of you know what a “rock hound” Tony is.

JUNIPER ISLAND'S LEE SIDE BEACH

QUEST ANCHORED OFF JUNIPER ISLAND

RESTORED 1826 JUNIPER ISLAND LIGHT HOUSE

ROCKS, ROCKS AND MORE ROCKS

SEARCHING

AND SIFTING

 I also took a special photo for Chip Edson. Chip, Dan assures me this is poison ivy, just in case you don't know what it looks like!!

CHIP, THIS IS POISON IVY!!

After pulling up anchor at Juniper Island we cruised past the northern lighthouse on the .5 mile long breakwater that protects the Burlington waterfront. This is a totally different view of Burlington!! We gave Robert a call and he was just able to see the Quest from the upper balcony of his apartment complex. Talk about perfect timing!

1826 BURLINGTON BREAKWATER LIGHTHOUSE

BURLINGTON COMMUNITYBOATHOUSE

Lynn was having some anxiety about leaving her new found home on the Quest and we thought Tony might have to carry her off. Here she is in her favorite perch. And she was worried about being able to relax??!!

LYNN AND TONY RELAXING

I'M NOT LEAVING AND YOU CAN'T MAKE ME!!

We all loaded up into the dingy (yes, Lynn too) and headed for their car at the marina. It was a quick jaunt to the Volvo dealer where my car was waiting to be picked up after being serviced. After a stop at West Marine, Lynn and Tony treated us to dinner at the cozy little Shalimar of India at 16 N. Winooski Ave. in downtown Burlington. Be sure to try it when you are in the area, we love it. After a walk through the City Market (or the hippie market, as Steffi calls it), a quick stop at Borders for fish and bird identification books, and a visit to TJMAXX for a new Teflon skillet we headed back to the marina and a dingy ride in the orange glow of the majestic rising moon.

LYNNA AND TONY LOADED UP TO DEPART

MOON OVER LAKE CHAMPLAIN

7/26/2010 SHELBURNE BAY, VT TO WILLSBORO BAY, NY (LAKE CHAMPLAIN)

Dan put the dingy back in the water this morning and was waiting at the dock for today’s visitors. Lynn and Tony arrived eager for the night and day on the water. Curt and Kelle stopped by on their way to the Shelburne Museum with Curt’s mom, Joann, and friend, Henry from Missouri. Kelle brought a dozen jars of her homemade Burnham Hollow blueberry jam to stock our larder. Thanks so much!!

FIRST SHUTTLE WITH KELLE, TONY AND LYNN

NEXT: JOANN, CURT AND HENRY

When our morning visitors were shuttled back to the dock, Lynn, Tony, Dan and I got underway. Once again, when we pulled out of the protection of the cove we were hit by the winds and rough waters. We made our way across the lake to the NY side, holding on the entire time. Lynn and Tony began to relax and really get into the “boating thing”.

SAILORS ENJOYING THE WINDY CONDITIONS

TONY AND LYNN GETTING RIGHT INTO THE BOATING MOOD

Dan dropped anchor on the New York shore, just SW of the Four Brothers islands, and we took a break from the rough waters while we had lunch. Now it was time to get the poor neglected paddle board down. It hasn’t seen the water since Costa Rica and was, I’m sure feeling slightly abandoned. After a spin around the little bay, we loaded it back up and headed north.

PADDLE, PADDLE

We passed Pumpkin Reef and rounded Hatch Point to enter Willsboro Bay. This fiord-like area is bordered on the west by a steep, wooded shoreline which houses the railroad tracks. Its eastern shoreline has two small marinas, a launch ramp, some lovely beach homes and a sheltered anchorage where we dropped anchor for the night.

TRAIN BRIDGE ON WESTERN SHORE

WILLSBORO BAY MARINA LILTTERED WITH MASTS

CLASSY BOAT-LAUNCHING RAMP MAINTAINED BY NY STATE

The duck and gulls made the rounds between the anchored boats just about dinner time. You think maybe they have this “begging” thing down pat?

GET OUTTA MY WAY!!

We have two new Fan Tan convert. Jan and Debi started this sweeping fad in CA and we have left a trail of new fans all along our route.

7/25/2010 KINGSLAND BAY TO SHELBURNE BAY, VT (LAKE CHAMPLAIN)

We awoke to glass-like waters and beautiful, clear skies this morning. After breakfast, Dan and Mike took a little swim and replaced one set of zincs then took off for a couple hours of fishing. Barbara and I had a really relaxing morning; lounging on deck, watching boats come and go and spying on the nearby Osprey nest and the activity there.

OSPREY

By mid-afternoon the guys had returned, lunch was done and it was time for the Wragas to head back to their truck and trailer at Chipman Point. We waved them off and prepared to pull up anchor ourselves.

THE "FISHER GODS" RETURN AGAIN

ADIOS

By the time we pulled out of our sheltered cove, the wind had picked up and the lake was fraught with white capped waves. As the day progressed, we saw winds gusts to 29 knots and the U.S. Coast Guard issued a small craft warning. Holy Cow!! There was spray reaching the helm window!

WE WERE A "ROCKIN AND A ROLLIN"

STORMY SKIES

As we neared our destination we were welcomed by the beautiful Shelburne Inn then the sight of Burlington. As we rounded Shelburne Point and spied Redrock, the waters and wind died down instantly. We passed Shelburne Shipyard and proceeded to anchor in the next cove, joining the numerous others seeking shelter for the night.

SHELBURNE INN

NEARING SHELBURNE POINT WITH BURLINGTON IN THE DISTANCE

Dan amused himself by catching little bass off the back deck. Who needs a fishing boat?

THE FIRST CATCH OF THE EVENING

The rising moon filled the eastern skies as night approached and we settled in for a calm and cozy night.