We set off from Vergennes with Danny in the first mate seat. We kept the doors and windows closed or screened to keep the horseflies out as we moved down Otter Creek to Lake Champlain. Danny did a great job searching for birds and other wildlife along the way. He enjoyed his travel treat, Peanut M&Ms. He was a great first mate! We were able to make good time on the Lake and arrived at Mallett Bay earlier than planned. We filled up with gas, got a pumpout and then proceeded to the work dock for our service work. We left the boat for service and headed to a hotel with Kathy and Danny.
That evening, we enjoyed time at the swimming pool and wandering around downtown Burlington.
The next day, we spent time exploring the area around the mountains outside of Burlington. We headed to Mansfield Mountain and Smugglers Notch in the Green Mountains. We found Long Trail, the oldest and longest trail in the United States, developed before the Appalachian Trail. We had a short walk, a picnic lunch, a great drive, and the start of a great taste testing challenge of maple creemee! We tried one from downtown Burlington and a second from Citgo. We found the Citgo creemee to have a stronger maple flavor. We'll keep working to try to find the best!
On Friday, we said good-bye to Kathy and Danny and said hello to Robin and Chris, old friends of Tony's from Blanchester. They showed us so much hospitality and kindness in the two days that we were with them! They took us to the bank and post office and grocery store. They showed us up and down different mountains, including farmer's markets, The Trapp Family Resort, cider donuts, and they helped us continue to maple creemee taste testing quest. They hosted us in their home where we enjoyed sharing old stories and memories and a home-cooked dinner. They live on a mountain side in Bolton Valley with lots of birds, squirrels, chipmunks, a wandering bear, and moose that seem to stay hidden in the woods.
We returned to the boat Saturday night and found Tinn in the marina and made plans to depart with them the next day.