Lake Champlain

Departing lock 12 of the Champlain Canal one enters Lake Champlain. 

Departing Lock 12, Entering Lake Champlain

The Narrow Portion of the Lake

For the first 35 miles it is very narrow and seems more like a river twisting and turning with rocky outcroppings on both shores. It is a very scenic area with the Adirondacks on the west side and the Green Mountains on the east, we enjoyed it immensely.  We spotted a machine harvesting water chestnuts as we passed Benson Point.   

Harvesting Water Chestnuts

Our plan was to anchor near Fort Ticonderoga and dinghy to shore where we had read there was a path leading to the Fort.  By the time we reached our proposed anchorage it was raining yet again but, despite that, we cruised back and forth looking with binoculars for access from the river.  It must have overgrown with all of the rain we have had and we decided to pass it by.  We were advised later that there is a lot of poison oak in the area so it was a good decision.  The Fort stood atop a hill; we understand it has been well preserved.   

The rain began to fall again as we headed on our way.  The lake began to widen as we approached the monument celebrating the 300^th anniversary of Samuel Champlain’s discovery of Lake Champlain and passed under the Champlain Bridge.   

Monument to the Discovery of Lake Champlain

Champlain Bridge

We anchored in Cole Bay, a beautiful spot where we spent hours exploring by dinghy.  

 

Cole Bay

Our next stop was in Westport, NY, a lovely spot.  The small town  has been carefully preserved.  The marina had mostly floating docks which was fortunate because the lake was near record level for this time of year and their non-floating docks were completely submerged.  Only the tops of the power pedestals were visible.  Once we started looking, we realized how much was under water!  We spent two days there, just as the water began to subside more rains came to increase the levels yet again.

Westport Marina

Notice the Partially Submerged Power Pedestals

Hoisington Brook at Lee Park

Former Baptist Church, Now Heritage Museum

The Inn at Westport, a Great Place for Breakfast

Heading north again we passed Split Rock Point on our way to Valcour Island site of a major naval battle in the revolutionary war. 

Split Rock Light

Valcour Island Light

Being a holiday weekend the anchorages were quite full and so we went on to Plattsburgh where we took a mooring ball in the harbor.  As we proceeded north the shores flattened out into farmland with cottages lining the shore.  Heading through an opening in a trestle bridge we proceeded into Rouse’s Point for fuel before entering into Canada.   

The Channel Went Through the Break in the Railroad Trestle

Fort Montgomery

Oh Canada!

Just after passing Fort Montgomery we spotted a small sign indicating we had entered Canada and looked on shore for the customs dock.  Harry took the passports for us and papers for Hali into the Customs Office as only one person is allowed off of the bat until cleared by customs. Leslie placed the Canadian Flag on the flagpole on the bow of the boat, considered a courtesy to the country you are visiting.  It is holiday time in Quebec and the boaters were out in great numbers enjoying the water on one of the first good weather days of the summer.  We arrived in St. Jean too late to begin the Chambly Canal so tied up for the night.

Dock at St. Jean Sur Richelieu