July 17-18, Essex, NY

Today the weather turned nice again. The rain overnight is gone and temperatures are a little cooler, 89, and the skies are clear. We moved a few miles north and over to the Vermont side of Lake Champlain and into Otter Creek for a 7 mile cruise up the narrow creek to Vergennes, VT. The creek depth was never less than 8 feet for us and completely free of weeds.

Entering Otter Creek

Narrow and natural. Five mph speed limit.

Otter Creek Falls mark the end of the navigable portion of the creek.

We found the Vergennes Town Docks on the north and south side of the basin at the end of the creek. There is probably room for eight large boats here. Five on the north side and three on the south side. We tied up with two other boats on the north side of the creek as this is closer to town.

Vergennes Town Dock

Nice buildings at the dock

Vergennes is famous as the location where several ships were built in a very short period of time to challenge the British as they sailed south from the St Lawrence River during the War of 1812.

Lots of history here.

Vergennes is a small town but nice and most of the stores are occupied. We enjoyed our visit.

Downtown Vergennes, Vermont.

Church on the town square

Library

The town docks are convenient and free but other than one 50 amp (already being used) do not have power. So we relaxed some in the afternoon until it became too warm and then decided to move on to a place with power.

Upon leaving Otter Creek, we head back out into Lake Champlain. It is a very pretty place for our cruise north today.

Lake Champlain

Split Rock Lighthouse

Adirondack Mountains behind.

Lake Champlain is several miles wide with the Adirondack Mountains on the New York (west) side of the lake and the Green Mountains on the Vermont (east) side.

Approaching Essex, New York

We are spending the night at our next stop which is Essex, NY, across the lake again and about six miles north of Vergennes. We are staying at the Essex Marina with 50 amp power and good internet. Our dock master/host here is Barry Hamilton who has been helpful with suggestions on where we should go and what we should see while here on Lake Champlain.

Essex Marina

Rain showers with lightning overnight. Next day we explore Essex. The entire town of Essex is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The brochure says 'the ambiance of a 19th century hamlet lives on in Essex where historic shops, homes and inns cluster by the lakeshore within walking distance of the ferry dock'. We did see many stone houses built in the 1800's and some beautiful old trees that overhang the roadways.

Stone house from 1800's

Bungalow made from field stone.

Methodist Church

Stone home for sale

And a few brick homes

Essex is the ferry landing in New york for the ferry from Charlotte, Vermont.

Ferry landing

There are two restaurants within walking distance of the marina. Essex has a population of about 500 in the summer and most homes have a flower garden. Many have a vegetable garden, too.

Downtown Essex, New York

Nice vegetable garden

Adirondack chairs seem appropriate

The views of Lake Champlain from Essex are spectacular.

We are beginning to see a lot of Canadian tourists now on their boats (mostly sail). Locals tell us that the Canadians take their summer holiday the last two weeks of July and the first week of August. Lake Champlain has become a popular spot for them to come and spend their holiday. It also means we need reservations for our stops ahead.