Burlington,VT to Plattsburgh & Rouses Point, NY

Yesterday we traveled to Plattsburg & today we proceded to Rouses Point, NY which is 1 mile from the Canadian Border. If it doesn't storm tomorrow we will cross the border and begin about 6 to 8 weeks of foreign travel. This means that we will be limited because of the cost of cell phone service and we will have to shut down the air card and rely on wi-fi and libraries for bloging and e-mails. I keep my cell phone but will have to pay .59 per min to use it. No long conversations. I will try to get one blog per week minimum on the net. There may be areas that our cell phones will not have a signal and we will just have to catch up when we do have a signal. Stay tuned for more details as we can supply them. Bob & Lois

Burlington, VT (Special Kids Edition)

Grandpa trying to hold the dragon.
Grandma made friends with the dragon and saved Grandpa.

Well today was a really big day as we encountered the friendly monster of the lake named "Champ". Grandpa grabbed him by the tail. Fortunately Grandma walked over and talked to him and he liked her and Grandpa is okay. Silly Grandpa couldn't hold a big dragon like that. What was he thinking?

Charlotte to Burlington, VT

This was a short day, about 18 miles. We will stay here for a few days and take on some goods. We may rent a car and check out some things. We saw over 300 ft. depths today. There is a fishing derby on the lake this weekend and a lot of boats out there. Sailing is a big deal too. The countryside is so beautiful.

Orwell to Charlotte, VT

Photos are: Fort Ticonderoga and Barber Point Lighthouse, NY.

The lake is wider and deeper today, 250+ feet and 7+ miles wide. Not a lot of places to stop and see. We passed Fort Ticonderoga, but there is no way to get there to dock. Books say very difficult by dinghy. Maybe a trip by auto at a later date. Got fuel today at 4.60 per gallon. 2 days ago we saw 5.99. We have been averaging around 2 gal. per hour. We started out in light drizzle and calm winds, now it is drizzling ocassionally and the winds are 20 to 25 knots. Believe it or not, This morning we had heavy insulated raincoats and flannel shirts on to keep warm. I'm glad to be tied to the dock. Will rest and catch up on chores.

From WhiteHall, NY to Orwell, VT

Todays pics: Fort Edwards free dock with free electric and water. Cows, Me and a totem and some rocks. Climb this mountain Ron Flory.

We felt like a short day and only went 22 miles today. We came through some cuts in the mountains with rock walls. Seems to be a lot of fishing activity along this strech. We are actually in Lake Champlain but it is very narrow and river like here. Scenery is very nice. Fish jumping, Ospreys feeding their young and camps along the way. We even saw some cows yesterday. The building that is the office for this marina was buit in 1829. Was a warehouse of some sort in a previous time. Will include some pics.

From Fort Edwards to Whitehall, NY

Explanation of photos: The sign gives directions for Erie Canal or Champlain Canal. The locks will hold 6 boats our size. The next shot shows the turbulence from the water coming in to fill the locks. The lockkepper said there were 2 36 inch valves and that it takes about 1.4 million gallons for each lift. Looking downstream from the lock at the top of the lift. Sometimes you can see the dam along side as you are in the lock. Buddy, the dog on "Bella Luna" shows little concern for this procedure. Left Fort Edwards and headed for the final locks in the Champlain Canal. 2 lifts and 3 dropped us down to the level of Lake Champlain. We are traveling today with 2 other looper boats. The day was off and on drizzle through farm country and hills. We are here at Whitehall, NY and with the rain I have been trying to get some of the dirt from the lock walls of the boat. The fenders take a beating in the locks as the walls a rough and slimy. The line we used is soaking in simple green. Ken Hartman made us a hook that worked well in some of the locks. I wish I would have had the hook made even bigger. Some of the locks had 4 inch pipe to tie to and others a cable. The toughest ones only had a line hanging from the top and you have to hang on and adjust as the boat travels up or down. The system for locks is have lots of fenders out and be ready for whatever is there. We are staying at Lock 12 Marina and we eat in their restaurant tonight.

From Troy, to Fort Edwards, NY

Today we not only did our first lock, but we did 6 additional locks. Tomorrow we will do 5 more locks and then we will be in Lake Champlain. Tonight we are on a free dock with free 30 Amp electric and water. Town is 1 block away and the deal was buy 1 meal and the second is free. I really like this town. There are 6 of us loopers here and we have been pretty much together for the last week. We are the newbees and they have lots of stories to tell and plenty of great advice and suggestions for things to see along the way. I have some pictures taken, but the time is short and after a 7.5 hr. day we are tired and need sleep. More later.