Exploring Champlain

No, We did not get eaten by Champ, the lake monster. We just have been having way too much fun. Here is the text version of our past ten days. Will post the Pics version tomorrow.

 Wed July 18 & Thurs July 19: Hanging on the mooring at night...sailing during the day & early evening...Very nice!

 Fri July 20: Moved to a reserved dock at Burlington Community Boathouse...right next to the dockside restaurant "Splash". Ready for the Owego crowd. Had "Dotty made" spiedies & Owego corn on the cob (best corn we've had this season, Mike).

Sat July 21: Biking adventure on shoreline bike trail. Amazing views! Grace & Paul made it to as far as they could go...20 miles...out on the causeway the trail was closed (washed out from last years flooding). American Flatbread Pizza & local beer to finish the night.

 Sun 7/22: Took the group sailing & then swimming in Shelburn Bay. Perfect sailing. Anchored for a swim. Dinner at Ice House. Definitely need to go there again.

Mon. 7/23: Bid goodbye to the Owego contingent. Went to do.laundry and got a call from the BoAthouse. "hey, why are you still in your slip? Big clusterf$&@k. "Sorry Mr D. We effed up, Can you move your boat? They did find another spot, but we found an open mooring instead in time for the next stormy light show. Most storms seem to miss us to the south, but Very vivid storms here when they hit.  Borrowed Colin's truck to grocery shop for our mini adventure. Colin has from noon on Tues till 3 on Fri off.

 Tues 7/24: Screaming sail from Burlington to Essex. Broad reach, 10-20 knots. 8 knot boat speed. 2-4 following sea, Hall of fame sail. NY. Very tight but protected overnight in Essex Shipyard as the wind howled all night. Just made it into a dock with help and only way out was 3 guys holding our bow as we backed out of the harbor. Very quaint town with old 1800's stone buildings. Outstanding meal at the Essex Inn.

 Wed 7/25: milled around & had lunch in town while giving the lake a chance to calm a bit and part motor & part sailed to a BIG protected anchorage at Valcour Island which is a NY park island. Looks very much like a Thousand Island only much bigger. 7 different anchorages to choose from depending on the weather all around the island. Everyone was huddled in 2 anchorages on west side prepared for coming weather. 43 boats anchored with us and room for more. Excellent holding. Got there in time to haul Grace up the mast to install the second ordered LED anchor bulb...this one works! Used Honda generator for first time.

Thurs 7/26: Big breakfast on the boat while we wait for the rain to stop and then explored some of the many trails and beaches. For those of you familiar...the beaches were what Leek Island beaches used to be. Soft sandy bottom with no zebra mussels. Also took a dingy trip around the island.

 Fri 7/27: Another fabulous sail back to Burlington but this time no moorings open so we spent an overnight anchored in the southwest corner of the harbor with 18 other boats. Very busy time here.

Sat 7/28: Snatched a mooring. Day of rest for us & back in Wi-Fi land so we could catch download pics & catch up on our Blogging.