Day 40: Champlain Marina

At Beau Ties Limited
Middlebury, VT

The morning was filled with chores and the afternoon with play.  Brian fixed the spotlight which mysteriously stopped working, then topped of the batteries. Next, Brian and Linda took the boat around to the marina store for a pump-out while Nick rowed the dinghy around the cove to keep it clear of the slip. Then, it was off to Middlebury to visit Beau Ties Limited of Vermont.  Linda has been purchasing bow ties for Brian and Nick from Beau Ties Limited for years (thanks to our friend at church, H Shaw, who initially lead her to them).  We thought it would be great to see where they were made. We were warmly welcomed and got to meet one of the owners, David Kramer.  After our visit we checked our Urban Spoon app and found a place called Storm Cafe near downtown Middlebury. This was a delightful find.  The restaurant is on the ground floor of a former mill placing it within feet of the fast moving Otter Creek that was lined with lush green foliage. Not far up river was a large waterfall in downtown Middlebury.

Waterfall in the middle of
Middlebury

Beau Ties Limited Factory Floor.
Every tie is hand made.

Day 39: A day in Montreal, Canada

Over the St. Lawrence River
into Montreal

Today Nick and Brian drove to Montreal, Canada to see the sights.  They expected an Interstate-like road the whole drive up but were surprised that the 4-lane I-89 turns into a two lane farm-to-market like road once over the Canadian border.  They were also surprised when the terrain went from steep rolling hills and rocky escarpments in Vermont to gently rolling farm land in Canada.  They expected to see French with English translation on road signs along the way, but no, all French and all Metric.

Unique Architecture

The Metric posted speeds were not an issue. Once over the border, Nick set Lttl Abe’s computer to metric.  The cruise control was ready for metric.  Nick used the French he learned in High School to help Brian understand the road signs. Once they got into Montreal they looked for a Centre d'Information sign, but none were found.  After wandering around for a bit they found the 1976 Olympic Center where Nick managed to get a newer map of the city. With map in hand, the two made foraging for lunch their next priority and soon found a Burger King.  Afterwards, they found the Information Center.  After learning a little about Montreal, the two decided to head back home before it got dark.

Day 38: Lashed Down Splash Down

Fish juice

I awoke around 6:00 am this morning to find Marco staring at me as if to say, “I’m ready for breakfast.”  After Marco got his breakfast he was eager to explore the marina.  When we got back we found Linda and Nick still fast asleep. So we had morning cuddle time.  After Linda and Nick arose, we had breakfast and planned the morning activities. Unfortunately we couldn’t include Marco.  We turned in the rental car since Nick drove up in my “LTTL ABE” Lincoln.  Next stop was downtown Burlington to have lunch at a restaurant called American Flatbread that is noted for their oven-fired pizzas, especially gluten-free pizzas, and all natural Vermont ingredients.  Then we took a short walking tour of Church St. pedestrian mall.  While on the mall, Nick took a drink from the $60,000 water fountain donated by a local bank.  Next we walked to the Burlington harbor area.

Nick & Linda

Nick & Brian

Marco was contently laying in his bed when we got back.  Yeah for air-conditioning on the boat. The temperature here was around 90° with over 50% humidity and no wind.  Not the Vermont weather we expect.  So, Linda read a book, I worked on this day’s blog post, and Nick and Marco napped until cloud cover cooled things off. Then Linda and Nick went for a dinghy ride around the cove in which the marina resides while Brian kept Marco company on Splash Down.   Then it was my turn with Nick.  We went across the narrow part of Malletts Bay; about 1.5 NM one way.  In the evening Linda and I subjected Nick to… wait for it…. a Spaghetti-Western.